Vic:Organisers deny Commonwealth GamesTV rights fee too pricey

AAP General News (Australia)
12-20-2004
Vic:Organisers deny Commonwealth GamesTV rights fee too pricey

Organisers of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne have denied claims that Asian
television networks may boycott the event because the fees for broadcast rights are too
expensive.

A report in The Age newspaper claims Indian broadcaster Doordarshan has rejected an
attempt by 2006 organisers to charge 700 per cent more for the rights than the network
paid for Manchester in 2002.

The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union says it's been approached by agent Fastrack --
which is acting on behalf of Games organisers -- with a figure that represents a 300 per
cent increase on the fee paid for Manchester.

If the Asian TV networks boycott the games, it could result in the loss of billions
of potential television viewers.

Commonwealth Games chairman RON WALKER has told ABC Radio there's no rush to finalise
negotiations.

AAP RTV sam/gfr/shh/jmt

KEYWORD: GAMES (MELBOURNE)

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.