WILL THERE BE TELEVISION COVERAGE OF THE 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP?

Apr 17, 2014 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

The vast majority of Guyanese do not have access to cable television. Either the service is not available in their area or the cost is beyond their means.
As such, the vast majority of Guyanese depend on television in order to view what is taking place in the world. This includes international sporting events which have a large following in Guyana.
This year, just as it was two years ago, cricket aficionados were deprived the opportunity to see the ICC T 20 World Cup on television. Coverage was restricted to cable. This was a real tragedy for which very little has been said.
It is now uncertain whether local cricket fans will be able to follow, on television, the Caribbean Premier League which commences soon. It would be terribly ironic that these fans are able to view on television the Indian Premier League (IPL), presently taking place, but are deprived of the same opportunity to see the Caribbean Premier League which is to be played in their backyard.
Cable companies have exclusive broadcast rights to the CPL in the Caribbean. It is not clear if they are going to be prepared to allow television stations to buy or procure such rights for broadcast on public television.
But even if those rights can be secured, and it is doubtful they can, there is now a greater hurdle to be overcome: whether local television stations are going to have the resources to bring the CPL coverage if they manage to secure broadcast rights.
It is extremely costly to secure certain rights. In the past, the government had to come to rescue of the state-owned NCN so as to allow it to be able to afford to buy the broadcast rights to major sporting events.
While in the past NCN was able to secure broadcast rights to these events, the projected revenues from advertisements were never able to cover these costs and therefore the government often had to jump in so as to offset the deficits.
That is not likely to happen now that there is great uncertainty as to whether parliament will approve of funding for NCN. If there is no subsidy or subvention for NCN, then it would seem a very daunting challenge for that company to be able to afford to broadcast rights to the many major sporting events that are forthcoming for the remainder of this year.
Amongst the broadcasts that are now threatened if the subsidy or subvention that the government provides to NCN is the upcoming FIFA World Cup which is being hosted in Brazil between June and July of this year; and the final of the UEFA Champions League which is slated for May 24.
One week earlier, the FA Cup Final will be held in Wembley and is often shown on state-owned television.
It would be terrible if ordinary Guyanese unable to afford cable television are to be denied the opportunity to see the world greatest football tournament, the FIFA World Cup. This would be an untold tragedy and a great loss for the ordinary fans who are really the persons that support local football and other sporting events.
Cricket fans will equally be worried. New Zealand tours the West Indies this summer and a tour by Bangladesh will follow. Towards the end of the year, the West Indies go to South Africa to play three Tests and five one day internationals.
Will local cricket fans be able to see any of these matches on television? This is not likely to happen unless the government jumps in to subsidize the coverage because one there is no way that NCN can afford the rights without government support. Local advertisers are not going to find it feasible to cover the cost of these rights.
Without state subsidies Test cricket may never again be seen on television nor for that matter the fifty over tournaments. With cable companies acquiring exclusive rights for T20 what this means is that local cricket fans may never again be able to see their West Indian stars on television.
The hopes of cricket fans therefore rest on the government being able to provide the necessary subsidy to ensure that NCN is able to buy rights to broadcast the major sporting events which are due to take place over the next few months.
Those who wish to deprive NCN of public funds are not helping the vast majority of citizens of Guyana by so doing. Those who benefit the most when NCN cannot afford or acquire rights to broadcast major sporting events are the cable companies. Their customer base grows and they make money while the poor man is left stranded.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News