International Sports Broadcast Executive Calls on Fifa to help Tsunami-ravaged Nations Broadcast All 2006 World Cup Matches
Sri Lanka and the Maldives could miss out on seeing all of next year’s Fifa World Cup in Germany because of the punishing amount of money that will be demanded in broadcast rights fees.
“If Euro 2004 is any guide the rights holder, ESPN/Star, will be asking hundreds of thousands of dollars for access to all matches,” the Head of Sport at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, John Barton said.
“Both countries were hit by the Tsunami and in particular Sri Lanka where scores of thousands lost their lives, and many more their homes and livelihood.
“I am told that all available funds were used by broadcasters to maintain radio and television operations to support the victims and the homeless, and they continue to do so.
“They are in no position to be handing over what would amount to a ‘King’s ransom’ for the rights fees, when the prime responsibility of the Government is to re-build homes, hospitals, schools and other essential services, and neither should they,” Mr Barton said.
He urged the world governing body of football, FIFA, to use its influence to help the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
The domestic free-to-air broadcast rights for a large number of territories in Asia had been sold to ESPN/Star, which included the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
“It would be unconscionable for them to be exploited in such distressing circumstances. They are special cases which require some sensible and compassionate reasoning,” Mr. Barton said.
TV Maldives, the national free-to-air broadcaster, had been forced to pay more than 2,000 per cent more for Euro 2004 than they did two years earlier for the World Cup, and were now struggling to pay off the debt.
“By anyone’s calculation this is over the top. The idea that national broadcasters should go cap in hand to their governments to help top up the enormous sums being demanded by marketing agents is coming to an end. They would ultimately force a legislative response,” Mr. Barton said.
He added that he would be advising both countries on putting in place ‘Listed Events’ legislation to ensure the right of the ordinary citizen to see high demand sports.
John Barton
Head of Sport, Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union
Member of the International Olympic Commission for Radio and Television
john.barton@abu.org.my
Tel: +603 2282 3592
http://www.abu.org.my/
“If Euro 2004 is any guide the rights holder, ESPN/Star, will be asking hundreds of thousands of dollars for access to all matches,” the Head of Sport at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, John Barton said.
“Both countries were hit by the Tsunami and in particular Sri Lanka where scores of thousands lost their lives, and many more their homes and livelihood.
“I am told that all available funds were used by broadcasters to maintain radio and television operations to support the victims and the homeless, and they continue to do so.
“They are in no position to be handing over what would amount to a ‘King’s ransom’ for the rights fees, when the prime responsibility of the Government is to re-build homes, hospitals, schools and other essential services, and neither should they,” Mr Barton said.
He urged the world governing body of football, FIFA, to use its influence to help the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
The domestic free-to-air broadcast rights for a large number of territories in Asia had been sold to ESPN/Star, which included the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
“It would be unconscionable for them to be exploited in such distressing circumstances. They are special cases which require some sensible and compassionate reasoning,” Mr. Barton said.
TV Maldives, the national free-to-air broadcaster, had been forced to pay more than 2,000 per cent more for Euro 2004 than they did two years earlier for the World Cup, and were now struggling to pay off the debt.
“By anyone’s calculation this is over the top. The idea that national broadcasters should go cap in hand to their governments to help top up the enormous sums being demanded by marketing agents is coming to an end. They would ultimately force a legislative response,” Mr. Barton said.
He added that he would be advising both countries on putting in place ‘Listed Events’ legislation to ensure the right of the ordinary citizen to see high demand sports.
John Barton
Head of Sport, Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union
Member of the International Olympic Commission for Radio and Television
john.barton@abu.org.my
Tel: +603 2282 3592
http://www.abu.org.my/