Live away games will not be shown, Clementson says

DIGICEL PNG Media and TV chief executive officer Charles Clementson, pictured, says the high cost of televising SP Hunters away matches was a factor in how they would proceed in 2018.
“Broadcasting live Hunters games from Australia is incredibly expensive, these costs when passed through to customer subscription prices for TVWAN Action are significant,” Clementson said.
“To keep our subscription costs down we are trying a new format for the away games this year called ‘SP PNG Hunters Tuesday’”.
Clementson said TVWAN was unable to broadcast last Saturday’s Queensland Cup round two fixture between the SP PNG Hunters and the Northern Pride from Barlow Park, Cairns, due to their late acquisition of the TV rights.
“Until late last week Digicel were not the holders of the broadcast rights to the 2018 Intrust Super Cup. Due to unforeseen circumstances the situation changed rapidly last week.
“We have now stepped in to acquire the rights to ensure the Hunters games are televised this season. We are proud to say that Digicel TV channels TVWAN and TVWAN Action are now the home of rugby league in PNG including the NRL, Intrust Super Cup and Digicel Cup.”
He added that because of these reasons TVWAN had revaluated its broadcast of away matches and would explore other means of providing their subscribers a coverage of Hunters games in Australia.
“As mentioned we’re trying new formats, irrespective of the disappointing result this weekend our camera crews went on the road with the team and have put together a great programme for Hunters Tuesday, which will be on TVWAN Action at 7.30 pm this week.
“If the format works we will stick with it. Our camera crews will be on the road again this weekend with the SP PNG Hunters to the Sunshine Coast and we’ll be showing the footage plus interviews from that game next Tuesday again at 7.30pm.”
Clementson said TVWAN’s offering to its subscribers in 2018 would include live broadcast of home matches as well as some Digicel Cup fixtures however their away coverage for Hunters matches would comprise of the highlights package component they were currently trialing.
“Digicel TV will be broadcasting all of the Hunters home games live this season in HD on TVWAN Action.
“It is also our intention to have cameras at all Hunters away games, we will continue to look at opportunities with our sponsorship partners with regards different format ideas for the away games throughout the season.”