MUMBAI: When it rains, it pours! At a time when Indian multiplex chains are heaving a sigh with the release of Hindi and English films in multiplexes; two national chains namely Fun Cinemas and PVR Cinemas have got alternative content namely cricket.

The theatre chains acquired the rights from ESPN Star Sports, which is the official broadcaster of the tournament.

The two chains will be airing the ICC World Twenty20 cricket matches at its properties. While Fun Cinemas will air the Super 8 Matches of India live at Bombay, Delhi Jaipur and Chandigarh; PVR Cinemas is screening the matches at its two properties in Delhi.

While Fun Cinemas has priced the tickets for the matches at Rs 500 in Mumbai, in the other cities they are priced at Rs 400. On the other hand, PVR Cinemas has priced the match tickets between Rs 150 – 250.

Fun Cinemas COO Vishal Kapur informs Businessofcinema.com, "The tickets are priced at Rs 500 in Mumbai and we will be offering our patrons unlimited Pepsi and popcorn along with two pints of beer with every ticket. We have acquired special license to serve beer at our Mumbai property. On the other hand, patrons in Delhi, Jaipur and Chandigarh will get the same without the beer and the ticket prices are lower as well in these cities."

The deal is not based on revenue sharing with ESPN. Fun Cinemas has paid a fixed amount per match to the broadcaster. However, Kapur declined to reveal the commercial terms of the deal.

"This is the first time that we are going to be airing live cricket matches at our property. Even if we have occupancy of 50 per cent for the matches, we will be able to recover our costs and will be quite happy," Kapur adds.

The first match will be screened live from today (12 June) at select PVR and Fun Cinemas properties.