The International Cricket Council and television companies fear losses running into millions of dollars after an Indian government directive to share games involving the national team with its state broadcaster.

The Indian federal cabinet decided in October to provide matches on a national broadcaster for the millions in the cricket-mad nation who have no access to cable television.

However, the International Cricket Council and television companies fear big losses and want the decision to be quickly reversed.

The ICC [Images] said the move would have a huge impact when its $550 million, seven-year television rights deal comes up for renewal after the 2007 World Cup.

"I wouldn't like to speculate on how much money it would cost us, but I know it would be substantial," said ICC President Ehsan Mani, who has written to the Indian Prime Minister.

IMMEDIATE IMPACT

The Indian cabinet decision covered all sports.

"The sports channels having TV broadcasting rights shall, with immediate effect, share their feed with (state-run) Prasar Bharti for national and international sporting events held in India or abroad," an official release said.

"In case of cricket events, these shall include all matches featuring India and the semi-finals and final of international competitions."

Most of the ICC's 10 full members heavily depend on Indian television revenue.

Mani said: "Cricket Boards like the West Indies [Images], Sri Lanka [Images] and others might not be able to survive without this revenue."

He said the ICC executive board would meet next month to decide on any action on the issue.

Indian Information and Broadcasting minister, Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi said in New Delhi that he would study the issue after the parliament session ends on Friday.

"Since it has already been decided by the cabinet, on the downlinking guidelines, that stands," he told Reuters on Wednesday. "After Dec. 23, I shall review the issue."

REVENUE FALL

Private television channels would suffer a steep fall in cable subscriptions and advertising revenue.

The Dubai-based Ten Sports, the rights holders for Pakistan cricket, have petitioned an Indian court before India travel across the border next month for a keenly awaited Test series.

"With the retrospective application of the guidelines to existing contracts, it is financially devastating," Ten Sports Chief Executive Chris McDonald said in Dubai.

The ESPN-Star Sports, which holds the rights to Australia and England [Images] cricket, was also critical.

"We don't believe these guidelines are in the best interests of Indian cricket, world cricket or the Indian sports industry as a whole," ESPN-Star Sports Managing Director Jamie Davis said from Singapore.

(Additional reporting by N.Ananthanarayanan in New Delhi)