New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) A large number of television viewers in the country will be deprived of watching the cricket Test series between India and South Africa as Doordarshan will not telecast the three-match series. Citing a High Court case, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the Test series did not fall under the purview of the “national importance” and thus Doordarshan will not telecastit.

The television rights for the series are with Neo Sports which has been sharing the feed of only the One-Day International with Doordarshan.

According to the ‘Sports Broadcasting Signals Act, it is mandatory for rights owners to share live feed with Prasar Bharati for all such events which are notified as of national importance by the Central government.

“Keeping in mind the Delhi High Court Order in the matter of Ravi Dev Gupta V/s. Union of India and Another, it has been decided not to declare the India-South Africa Test series starting from March 26 as sporting event of national importance for the purpose of sharing of broadcast signals with Prasar Bharati,” an official release said.

A spokesman of the ministry said since the case was in court he could not say much on the matter.