Two networks vying for coverage rights in PBA's 37th season

source: Rey Joble
gmanews.tv

Two networks have expressed interest for the coverage rights of the Philippine Basketball Association’s 37th season.

Studio 23, a UHF channel of ABS-CBN, and TV 5, a station majority owned by businessman/sportsman Manny V. Pangilinan, are the two networks being eyed to cover Asia’s pioneering professional league.

Anyone of them could take over the PBA’s coverage rights from Solar Entertainment, whose contract expires in August.

This was disclosed by PBA commissioner Atty. Chito Salud to GMA News in a telephone interview.

“The deadline for those making a bid for the coverage rights have ended last Friday and we met them on Monday to discuss to them the terms of reference," said Salud.

Studio 23 is currently airing the PBA games, which started in the Commissioner’s Cup when Solar Entertainment sought for a block time arrangement after its own network reformatted its outfit catering more on the female market.

The UHF Channel has been home to some of the collegiate sporting events like the UAAP, NCAA, Philippine Collegiate Champions League and lately, the NBA games.

TV5, on the other hand, has engaged into sports lately. The latest among the network’s ventures was the airing of the Philippine Open Pool Championships and the upcoming World Ten Ball Championship.

Both events are sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiard Association and joined by the world’s best players. The Philippine Open Pool Championships were aired on IBC-13 via a block time agreement from the afternoon until night time.

Meanwhile, Salud informed GMA News that Solar Entertainment will be spared of a penalty for the technical glitches that happened during the coverage of the last quarterfinals game between Ginebra and Rain or Shine.

“There were technical glitches happened in several areas and Solar Entertainment found out that some of the equipment being used by Studio 23 was being repaired. It took almost three hours before the equipment were fixed," said Salud. “But Solar Entertainment will be spared from a penalty."

The PBA Office received a lot of complaints from fans who were anticipating an action-packed game between the Gin Kings and the Elasto Painters, both of whom were battling for a semifinals seat. - Rey Joble, GMA News