NCN strikes deals with E-Networks, Stabroek TV for World Cup broadcasting
The state-owned National Communications Network (NCN) has signed deals with E-Networks Inc. and Stabroek TV for the broadcast of FIFA World Cup 2014 football games, set to kick off tomorrow in neighbouring Brazil.
The first World Cup game is expected to kick off tomorrow between Brazil and Croatia at the Arena de Sao Paulo.
NCN’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Molly Rampersaud-Hassan, yesterday made the disclosure over the rights – a lucrative one, with advertisers willing to jump on board to enjoy the potential exposure that will be generated.
There has been worry from the public over the World Cup broadcasts, especially as many homeowners now are not hooked up with the local channels but rather are only on cable TV.
According to the CEO, there are restrictions which bar any television or cable operators from transmitting the games without NCN’s permission.
Sports bars, among other places, cannot advertise that they are showing the games without permission from NCN, with the country even facing the possibilities of losing the rights if it is found to be otherwise.
Already, in published notices, NCN has been warning against any unauthorized promotion.
“We have spent millions of dollars in acquiring the rights for the games. We are now engaged in recovering the monies by selling packages to advertisers also. We are looking healthy in achieving this.”
E-Networks Inc., principal, Vishok Persaud, disclosed that the cable TV company has bought “the exclusive rights to broadcast the FIFA World Cup 2014 on Cable TV for Regions 3,4,5, and 6 and will be dedicating two channels to uninterrupted live coverage”.
“The channels will be available to all our customers regardless of which package you subscribe for.
Several sponsors are already on board for the games, including Digicel Guyana, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, Courts Guyana, Ansa McAl and Banks DIH Coca Cola.
“We are thankful for their support and there is an influx of interest by other corporate sponsors,” the NCN CEO said.
The International Media Content Ltd (IMC Ltd), parent company of regional sports cable channel SportsMax, has been given the rights in the region for televising of the World Cup.
It is the IMC that NCN purchased the rights from for the games.
Late last month, NCN, which has a network of radio and television stations across the country, had announced that it is the Sole Rights Holder for the FIFA World Cup 2014.
“NCN Inc. procured the terrestrial, cable and satellite broadcast rights from Caribbean Broadcast Rights holder International Media Content Ltd (IMC Ltd) and as such is the only authorized broadcaster for all FIFA World Cup 2014 content, before and during the games, including promotional materials.”
Marketing Manager of NCN, Raymond Azeez had said at the time: “We have not sub-let the rights to any other television station up to this point in time, so it’s only on NCN. In terms of cable and direct TV, we are looking at that, because we do understand that people in their homes should have a choice, but for anyone outside of the legal framework trying to pirate or take a feed of the FIFA world cup, there will be some legal implications.”
The World Cup concludes on July 13th.
