A new system is expected to come into effect soon to ensure that joint bids for television rights for events of national interest are sent by the three television broadcasters in the country.
Acting Prime Minister and Communications Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the government has decided that this is the way to go forward to ensure that none of the TV stations, Fiji TV, FBC TV and MAI TV lose out on showing events of national interest.
The exclusive television rights for major sporting events are determined through the bids sent by individual TV stations. This includes the amount the station will pay for the rights.
Sayed-Khaiyum said in the national interest, joint bids should be sent where cost sharing will assist in getting all the TV stations to air the events.
He said the listenership and viewership survey will be done soon and the Communications Ministry will then set up the process where the Minister for Sports can decide on events of national interest and allow all TV stations to air them.
This means the exclusive rights structure will not feature for these events.
The government has decided that a national approach should be taken by the three TV stations.
Fiji TV currently has exclusive rights for the IRB 7s series, Rugby League World Cup, the Super Rugby, the Rugby Championships and the next Rugby World Cup tournament.
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Story by: Vijay Narayan
