While in the Indian matches the channels have five per cent of free commercial time left, in non-Indian matches as much as 15 per cent of the spots are available, sources said.

ESPN-STAR Sports, which had earlier asked advertisers to book for all the World Cup matches, is offering the option of selecting any match. The channels, however, have increased the rates for the Indian matches.

"We first decided to force advertisers to buy spots on all the matches as we did not want to have inventory balance. We realised we alienated many advertisers," said a STAR official.

Several advertisers found the option of taking spots on all the matches a costly affair and opted out. The minimum that they had to pay on taking 30 second spots for all the matches was Rs 1.5 crore. Which is why the two sports channels decided to widen theoptions.

For the Indian matches, the rate card has been fixed at Rs 9 lakh per 30 seconds, while spots for the Super Six games will be available at Rs 6.75 lakh. For any other match, the spot rate is Rs 1.80 lakh. But the maximum number of spots allowed on a day for any brand or category is 3x30 seconds.

Advertisers who have booked for all the games will pay only Rs 2.79 lakh per match. But for those who have bought 12 matches, the price will be higher at Rs 5.62 lakh per game. The maximum number of spots allowed on a day for a brand or a category is 5x30 seconds. The client has to buy equal seconds of free commercial time across all the matches.

Booking commitments cannot be cancelled or rescheduled, ESPN-STAR Sports say. Clients will have to pay within a month, from the date of invoicing agency. For all rupee payments, the client will have to submit ADV forms and export certificates duly signed and stamped by the company, in original. Exporter's certificate should be issued by the clients' bankers,which reflects the value of their export earnings in the preceding two financial years. This amount should be in excess of Rs 10 lakh in each year, failing which the client is not eligible to advertise.

According to the terms and conditions of the agreement, spots will be distributed equally across all matches. Odd duration spots other than 30 seconds will not be scheduled between overs. Schedule for the event will have to be given 15 days before the date of telecast of the match.

Though the two channels are not prepared to lower rates, they are offering bonus spots for Wimbledon and other matches. Doordarshan, in contrast, is offering spots at much cheaper rates. While the matches are priced at Rs 1.13 lakh per 10 seconds, the semi final upwards is available at Rs 2 lakh per 10 seconds.

The spot rate of the 1999 World Cup is much higher than the preceding World Cup as the second half of the matches take place in prime hours of viewing, say media analysts.