Prasar Bharati’s net revenue for 2008-09 was Rs9.46 billion ($195 million), down from Rs9.58 billion in 2007-08 and around Rs 10 billion in 2005-06. Revenues from sports coverage on television arm Doordarshan accounted for less than six per cent of its overall 2008-09 revenue, a government source told the Business Standard newspaper, compared with nearly 40 per cent four years ago.
The Sports Broadcasting Act, introduced in 2007, requires private cable and satellite broadcasters showing matches featuring the Indian team to share live coverage with Doordarshan, with the resulting advertising revenue split 75:25 in favour of the private channels.