Pakistan fear TV blackout in court dispute
KARACHI – A dispute over television rights could affect coverage of Pakistan’s forthcoming tri-series and Test matches against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, cricket officials fear.
Dubai-based television channels Ten sports and ARY, who both secured broadcasting rights for Pakistan cricket last year at a cost of $43 million until 2008, are embroiled in a dispute.
Ten sports are taking ARY to court in a case which will be heard on Monday in Lahore High Court.
“We are worried because they have gone to court against each other and it is possible that one party will say ‘Give rights to both parties or no-one’ and that could affect the telecast of the series,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shaharyar Khan said on September 26.
“It is a mutual conflict between them, not with us. They were partners when they took the rights but now have developed differences which do not involve us,” Khan said.
“We are supporting no-one. We have remained positively neutral with each side. But if they don’t reach a compromise then we are worried that telecasts of series could be affected.”
Zimbabwe are already touring Pakistan and join Sri Lanka for the tri-series from next Saturday until October 16. Pakistan play Sri Lanka in two Tests from October 20 to November 1.
Last year, when New Zealand flew in to play five one-day internationals, a television dispute between a private channel and the state-owned Pakistan television led to the blackout of the first match in Lahore. The matter was resolved after the government intervened.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:9/27/2004
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