South Asian Business news and information

FIJI Television Limited has initiated a pay per view system for the upcoming World Cup Cricket 2007. However, the decision has created much criticism as the consumer council of Fiji views it as an illegal decision. On the other hand, Fiji TV has argued that as the price in the international market rose up, they are asking for pay per view to be followed.

The Fiji Times Online reported:

Chief executive Mesake Nawari said contrary to the council's statement, Fiji's pay television sector "is a competitive and open market and has been operating this way for several years now".

The consumer council said Fiji TV was 'unfair and insensitive' to the Sky Pacific subscribers by airing coverage of the ICC one-day cricket World Cup on pay per view instead of Sky Pacific.

"Sky Pacific, our direct-to-home satellite delivered pay service, is not a monopoly service," he said.

"There are other pay TV service providers in the Fiji market and consumers certainly have a choice when it comes to which pay TV service they would like to subscribe to," Mr Nawari said. "With an open market now, Fiji TV has had to bid at much higher prices than before for programs and international sporting events like the soccer, cricket, rugby and other tournaments," he said.

Fiji is not a big contender in world cricket but they have played ICC Trophy for several times. Though they have not got into world cup, it seems that cricket is getting popular in the country as people are eager to watch the world cup matches. However, Fiji is not a rich country and most cricket fans cannot afford to watch matches in this way. So, the number of viewers will be greatly reduced.

I am worried about the rapid commercialization of cricket. I just hope that someday we all do not have to watch cricket matches as pay per view items.