Fabian Ledgister, Staff ReporterLAST YEAR, the major cable companies in Jamaica blocked the broadcast of the Olympics from overseas networks, forcing viewers to resort to local broadcasts.
Many viewers regarded this move as an infringement of their rights as consumers, having paid their bills for access to the cable stations throughout the month.
Unbeknown to many, however, the blockage was initiated by local station TVJ, which had purchased the broadcast rights for the premium sporting event.
According to cable company, Entertainment Systems, the television station implemented the block based on documents provided by the rights holder indicating that should Entertainment Systems carry any overseas network broadcast simultaneous to TVJ's, then they would be breaching the purchased broadcast rights.
Though they were not specific about the nature of the penalties that would be incurred, the Broadcasting Commission concurred that the cable stations would be liable had they broadcast these events.
UNFAIR
Viewers were mostly of the opinion that it was unfair for the Olympics coverage to be blocked from cable viewership.
Of 20 individuals The Sunday Gleaner spoke with on the matter, 65 per cent were not in agreement with overseas channel blockage on the premium programmes.
"NBC and these other foreign stations also purchased the rights to show the Olympics and they have a more comprehensive coverage than local stations that prefer to show track and field," stated Krisann Thomas, one of the people polled.
The Broadcasting Commission refuted this claim, however, stating that broadcasting rights are geographically specific and do not hold legal tenure outside the bounds of whichever area they have secured rights for.
NOT LEGALLY ENTITLED
"Subscription to cable companies does not legally entitle you to constant viewing of all stations. These companies cannot override copyright laws to satisfy a few customers," stated Jacqueline Jackson, information officer at the Broadcasting Commission.
The commission explained that a local station which has secured the rights for any event would normally distribute information on the matter via media, informing the general public of their acquired event broadcast. They would also inform the respective cable stations that might broadcast the event.
PURCHASED RIGHTS
The Commission confirmed that Television Jamaica did just this when they were to broadcast the Olympics, citing that they had received copies of documents sent to the cable stations informing of their broadcast right acquisition.
"We would take action on these companies, so long as the broadcast right holder has provided the necessary proof of their purchased rights, and also proof that the cable station has in fact breached their right by broadcasting the event," confirmed Jackson.
In the event of a breach of their broadcast rights, the local station has the option of taking the party that has committed the violation to court or provide the necessary information to the Broadcasting Commission, who would then penalise the party.
Television Jamaica was unavailable for comment on the matter, but the Broadcasting Commission stated that as holders to the rights of the events they should be sensitive to the grievances of viewers and adjust their coverage accordingly.
Within the last decade, demand for broadcast rights acquisition has grown considerably, with television networks entering bidding wars to secure highly viewed sports programming.
After holding the Olympic broadcasting rights since 1996, Canadian network CBC was recently outbid by 110 per cent by CTV, with their competition overshadowing their US$73 million dollar bid, with a whopping US$153 million for the 2010 winter games and 2012 summer games.
