World Cup soccer telecaster Ten Sports announced late tonight (30 May) that its parent Taj Television and distribution partner HMA Udyog had struck a deal with the Sun Network-promoted and Tamil Nadu major Sumangali Cable Vision (SCV) under which the channel would get distribution on the latter's cable TV network.

Yesterday, Taj Television CEO Chris McDonald had announced deals with RPG Netcom in Kolkata, Asianet in Kerala and Hathway in Bangalore and Chennai, taking Ten Sports penetration up to 18 million homes. Today's SCV tieup, means that the channel's penetration is likely to be closer to the 19-20 million homes range with other smaller deals with CATV networks all over India also being struck, a company spokesperson added.

McDonald also announced that the sportscaster had not been successful in forging agreements with the large MSOs in Mumbai - InCable and Hathway. "Most of Mumbai will sadly be deprived of the World Cup Soccer telecast," said McDonald.

Among the CATV networks in Mumbai which will relaying Ten Sports at the first kickoff of the FIFA tourney tomorrow figure Seven Star and Bhawani Hathway.

"We are asking for an effective rate of Re 1 per sub from the MSOs," disclosed McDonald.