CRICKET fans across Guyana will be unable to watch the remaining matches of the current Caribbean T20 Tournament live on television, a release from National Telecomunications Network, (NCN) stated yesterday.
Like the fans, NCN is disappointed that the Rights Agreement between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and ESPN precludes the live ball-by-ball broadcast of the games on Television across the Region.
The Agreement provides for live coverage on Cable only.
NCN was offered a highlights package for television by the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC). This was determined to be very inadequate, and as such not accepted.
At this point, NCN is assuring the public that the Company has exhausted all options to secure the Rights and broadcast the games LIVE on Television.
As the lead broadcaster of West Indies and Regional Cricket, NCN is therefore questioning the wisdom of the WICB to enter into such an Agreement without considering the demographics and other issues in a country like Guyana where only about 5% of the population has access to Cable Television.
We are also of the view that officials of the Guyana Cricket Board who represent this country at the WICB level should explain to the Guyanese public why they will be unable to watch their National Team in action.