On Saturday, while the whole of India was drunk over the Sehwag-Kohli onslaught that gave the ICC World Cup a fiery start, Mplex launched a timely crackdown on local business establishments that were screening cricket “illegally”.
An ESPN bouncer for Bangalore pubs and restaurants. On Saturday, while the whole of India was drunk over the Sehwag-Kohli onslaught that gave the ICC World Cup a fiery start, Mplex launched a timely crackdown on local business establishments that were screening cricket “illegally”.
Officials from the Mplex, the official distributor of ESPN licence to screen the 2011 World Cup, popped in places that were screening the opener sans permission and made them wind up the show right away.
DNA, which learned about this, visited high streets like Vittal Mallya Road and Lavelle Road, only to witness big screens being rolled up. Toscano in UB City, and Mocha and Café Coffee Day on Lavelle Road were among those that were screening the match without a valid licence. Soon after the crackdown, a few of the restaurants in premier malls of the city rushed to secure licences. When contacted, Mplex Networks MD Prataap S Wadhwa said, “We’re only trying to ensure that people follow the procedure. If anyone hasn’t got the licence, the person is more than free to contact us for one. If someone screens the matches illegally, we’re forced to take action.”
“Pubs on Rest House Road, Residency Road and Church Street have already been served notices. It’s just the first warning. If they fail to get their act straight, the city police will take legal action against them,” he added.
A recent notification of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) makes it mandatory for all pubs and restaurants—that have a seating capacity of more than 50—to obtain the licence for screening of cricketing events.
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