Sri Lankan state broadcaster SLRC plans to take free-to-air network MTV to court over a dispute surrounding the media rights to the London 2012 Olympic Games.
MTV claimed last week that it had agreed a deal for rights for the 2012 Games. SLRC says that it is the sole rights-holder of the event in Sri Lanka via a deal with the Asian Broadcasting Union, the consortium of Asian public service broadcasters. The ABU has pan-Asian rights for the event under a deal with the International Olympic Committee.
SLRC chairman Mohan Samaranayake told Sri Lankan newspaper the Sunday Leader that SLRC is “gathering details” on MTV’s claim that it has obtained rights to the Games. He said SLRC is seeking clarification on the matter from the ABU.
MTV chief executive Chevaan Daniel confirmed MTV will broadcast the Olympics, saying that further details will be revealed at a press conference this week.