January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Bar owners cry foul over World Cup coverage
Bars had hoped to offer sports fans the chance to watch Bermuda's cricketers make history. But the fact that the games are only available through CableVision will make that impossible for many - unless a temporary solution can be found.
Chris Garland, one of the owners of Flannagan's and the Legends Sports Bar, said he was praying that something could be done.
"This is the biggest thing that has happened to Bermuda sports in a long time and we want to be part of it.
"Even if Bermuda go and get their tails bust, people want to watch and support. It's about country, and it's about pride.
"We believe we have the best sports bar in town.
"We would fill the place every lunchtime and into the evening if we could show the games. The sky is the limit.
"People want the atmosphere, they want to watch with their friends and have a cold beer and a nice atmosphere. If Bermuda wants the best product on Front Street then CableVision has to be a part of that."
He said the lack of CableVision access on Front Street was already a 'big problem' because it meant Legends could not broadcast from the Jamaican channel Sportsmax or a number of other sports pay-per-view packages only available through CableVision.
"It's got to the point where we are looking into the cost of trenching in ourselves - it's losing us that much business."
Lee Beauchamp, general manager at Sea Horses betting shop, agreed and said it would be devastating for his business not to be able to show the World Cup games.
"People who would normally be in here will be sat at home watching the cricket. We would like to have the best sports package available and we can't do that because we can't get CableVision."
Alan Smith, general manager at CableVison, said the long-term plan was to bring CableVision to the city but he said it would not be done in time for the World Cup.
He could not comment on any temporary measures for the World Cup as he had yet to discuss the issue with Blakeney.
Blakeney, however, was confident that something could be arranged to allow bars on Front Street and beyond to show the games.
He added that Hott 107.5 also had the rights to broadcast Bermuda's matches and would aim to send Bermudian commentators to Trinidad to bring live audio coverage to listeners.
Blakeney, also an MP, said he could sympathise with those who felt Bermuda's first World Cup appearance should be screened free to all.
But he said securing the rights had been a costly process.
"We are sensitive to that but when you have to pay to secure the rights it is not going to come free.
"It's a business opportunity as well as a chance for us to bring the World Cup to Bermuda in a way that we feel is going to be 'value added'."
He said they would feature preview programs, interviews with former players and pundits as well as features on Bermuda's players and other related shows.
He said there would also be more than 50 live games from the competition as well as rebroadcasts of important games for those who missed the live feed.
"We feel it is above and beyond reasonable," he said of the $200 fee, which was settled on after a 'focus survey' of prospective viewers.
ZBM program director Darlene Ming said the had been put off by the $140,000 asking price for the rights.
"We would have loved to have shown it but it was a very high cost for the rights and delivery. We couldn't take that kind of risk," she said.
Cricket fans can purchase the World Cup package now by calling Cablevision, with build up coverage expected to start mid-February.
A separate 'special subscription' fee is available to pubs, clubs and businesses on request from R. Scott Pearman at 735-1788.
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