CMC Secures Commentary But...

Sat, Oct 5, '02

The Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) late Friday confirmed television coverage for the West Indies tour of India but it appears that not all countries will get both the television and radio feeds.

The countries confirmed to receive television coverage are Anguilla, Antigua/Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts-Nevis and St Lucia.

Bermuda, St Maarten, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago have not made arrangements with CMC.

And, only Barbados, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago are down to receive radio coverage.

On Friday, the Trinidad Guardian reported that elevision and radio commentary from India for the West Indies tour are in jeopardy, unless the Caribbean Communications Network (CCN) and/or National Broadcasting Network (NBN) meet the deadline of buying the franchise to carry the television broadcast of the entire series.

The Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) holds the broadcast rights (television and radio) for the Caribbean region, and they are now depending on media houses in Trinidad and Tobago to pull through with the deal.

Michael Whyte, CMC's commercial and business development manager, was in Trinidad yesterday trying to see whether he would be able to assist in getting financial support.

Whyte said CMC has until today to firm-up the deal and make a positive commitment. He also stressed that "should there be no firm commitment from CCN or NBN, the entire deal for the Caribbean region will be jeopardised. There will be no live commentary on television or radio."

He said: "Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica make up 25 per cent each of the overall package, while the other countries make up the other 50 per cent. So far, I can say we have between 60 to 70 per cent commitment, with Jamaica fully committed. It's now up to the T&T end."

General manager of CCN TV6, Shida Bola, lamented the loss incurred on two recent overseas tours and said: "We would like to bring the entire tour, but at this moment, it does not look good."

"We cannot take further losses for cricket coverage. We brought the series against Pakistan in Sharjah and the ICC Champions Trophy and we lost a lot of money on both tours. We cannot take another loss. But we await the response and then decide."

West Indies is scheduled to play three Tests and seven One-day Internationals during the tour.

SOURCE: Trinidad Guardian.