No more licence fee 'trouble' for FIFA World Cup screening; Kerala govt intervention yields results

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government intervened to waive the license fee for World Cup football screenings on big screens by sports fan groups, clubs and residence associations in the state. Zee Entertainment, which holds the broadcasting rights for FIFA World Cup matches, has given the online streaming rights in Kerala to the private football club Eagles FC Kerala.

Zee Entertainment had set a license fee for anyone screening the footage in public. This led to confusion and disappointment among football enthusiasts in Kerala. To put an end to the quandary, the Sports Department intervened and held discussions with the channel representatives and the owners of Eagles FC to make the footage accessible to non-commercial groups. Sports Minister O. J. Janeesh said that permission for screening can be obtained by registering for free on the Eagles FC Kerala.com website. However, this exemption will not apply to public streaming organised by commercial establishments and malls.

Chief Minister VD Satheesan said in the assembly that arrangements would be made for a public screening of the World Cup.