NCN forbidden to broadcast cricket matches live

Cricket fans in Guyana will be unable to see the remaining matches of the current CaribbeanT20 cricket tournament.

According to the National Communications Network (NCN), the Rights Agreement between the West Indies Cricket Board and ESPN, ”precludes ball- by-ball broadcast of the games on television across the region.

“The agreement provides for live coverage on Cable only,” a release from the network stated yesterday.

NCN said it was disappointed with the agreement.

The company also stated that it failed to reach an agreement with the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

“NCN was offered a highlights package for television by the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC). This was to be very inadequate, and as such not accepted,” the release added.

NCN also stated that it wanted to assure the public that the company has “exhausted all options to secure the Rights and broadcast the game live on Television.

As the lead broadcaster of West Indies and Regional Cricket, NCN is therefore questioning the wisdom of the WTCB to enter into such an Agreement without considering  the demographics and other issues in  a country like Guyana where only about five per cent of the population have 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,” the release ended.