'EchoStar US$1M Price Tag Not Feasible'

Wed, Jan 15, '03

Cricket's showpiece event is less than a month away and the fans of Barbados and the Caribbean are still without a tv and/or radio deal that will provide coverage of the ICC World Cup from South Africa, the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) warned.

The Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), which has been negotiating with the rights holders in the United States, informed the broadcast stations of the region Wednesday, that in their discussions, "the expectation was that the Caribbean could pay as much as US$1 million for the rights." The CMC has described the fee as "not feasible."

In a letter to regional stations, the Barbados-based CMC warned that the rights holders are not moving from their position and with time running out, the CMC has asked Caribbean stations to contact the rights holders directly to pursue the matter.

A check with the rights-holders Echostar Corporation, revealed that they are still awaiting word one way or another from the CMC or any other entities who are interested in acquiring the World Cup rights.

"The CBC has contacted the rights holders with the view of acquiring broadcast rights for television as the CMC has advised that no radio feed is available and one would have to be produced," it added.

Reports say the CBC has not ruled out airing the World Cup as a pay-per-view event.

The U.S.-based EchoStar, which runs the DISHNetwork satellite television system, acquired exclusive broadcast rights for North, Central and South America (includes the Caribbean).

"DISH Network customers (in North America) can purchase the entire Cricket World Cup 2003 package for $299.95. This is a residential-only price.

DISH Network will exclusively broadcast the World Cup in the United States as a pay-per-view event.