PBA, TV5 AGREE TO OBSERVE TERMS OF TV CONTRACT
There may not have been a final decision on the matter of the PBA’s carrying TV station, but the most important thing is that both sides have agreed to abide by the terms and conditions of the current TV contract.
In Thursday’s PBA Board of Governors meeting attended by new TV5 head Noel Lorenzana and Vitto Lazatin, the two sides discussed the different options available before agreeing to defer the decision for a week.
“Let us allow the Boards of the respective entities to ponder these terms on their own before a decision is finally reached,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud. “We’re almost there. I think the parties have reached an understanding that the terms of the existing contract between the PBA and TV5 must be observed.”
“We’ve gone a long way. The schedule has been revised several times, considered by the ExeComm twice before this meeting and counter offers have been made by TV5. The situation is very clear. Both entities are still open and we will meet again on Wednesday next week and the Board probably Thursday for a final decision,” Salud added.
TV5 terminated its blocktime agreement with IBC-13 a month ago, and both the UFL and NCAA games are now being aired on Aksyon TV, TV5’s UHF station which is channel 41 on free TV.
When the Governors’ Cup opens on August 14, the proposal was to telecast all games live on Aksyon TV, with TV5 airing some games live and some on a delayed basis.
The VHF or UHF issue has been a sensitive one for the PBA for many years, with the matter being a major issue in TV contract negotiations. Due to its wider reach especially in the rural and other far-flung areas, PBA team owners want the games aired live on a VHF channel.
The PBA TV contract states that the coveror has the right to transfer the carrying station of the PBA but only with the consent of the Board of Governors, and to a channel that is equal to channel 13 in terms of signal and coverage.
“The contract provision we discussed will be respected, meaning the PBA on a VHF channel or a channel that is equivalent to channel 13,” said Salud.
“The commitment between the two parties as to the continuation of their relations remains strong and therefore the wishes of the owners as originally stated during our team owners meeting that they prefer that the PBA be shown on a VHF channel will continue to be respected.”
Proposals on gametimes were likewise tackled but adjustments, if any, will also largely depend on the carrying station. (JL)
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