AIR granted commentary rights for India-WI series

New Delhi: In what could bring cheers to cricket lovers, NIMBUS has agreed to grant the commentary rights to All India Radio for the three-match series between India and West Indies starting here tomorrow. "The radio commentary rights have been granted to AIR," sources in the I&B Ministry said, adding the breakthrough was achieved after sustained negotiation between the Ministry and the BCCI.

The sources said NIMBUS, which has the broadcasting rights for the tournament, has agreed to the price offered to them for the commentary rights.

Earlier, the Ministry had also intervened last month following Nimbus Communications` decision not to share the feed of the India-England cricket series with AIR, prompting it to write a strong-worded letter to the BCCI.

AIR had been unable to air live commentary of series that started in October as Nimbus Communications was demanding 50 per cent of the ad revenues of AIR.