New Delhi: India and Pakistan matches are always high voltage that draw a lot of audience to the stadium as well as to the TV screens. The opening league match of World Cup between two arch rivals India and Pakistan will be played on February 15.
But even before the match has even started there is another kind of battle going on off the field, that too between official broadcaster Star group and advertisers. Advertisers want to utilize the large number of viewership this match may offer but Star is exploiting the situation by hiking up the advertising rates.
For the clash that is expected to draw a huge viewership, more than 70 brands have registered for the advertisement slots. The bookings are 50% more than it was in 2011 World Cup final. A 10 seconds slot between of ad is going to cost Rs 25 lakh, highest ever in cricket broadcasting history.
A slot for the India-Pak semifinal of 2011 World Cup was sold at Rs 20 lakh per 10 seconds and the final between India and Sri Lanka was sold for Rs 25 lakh per 10 seconds.
According to a leading news daily, Star has already sold 70% of its inventory for the entire World Cup and 75% of India Pakistan clash.
Media agencies are negotiating the number but Star is not willing to budge. However, agencies feel that the prices will go down closer to the game.
