PBA to settle TV talks today

MANILA, Philippines - PBA commissioner Chito Salud is determined to break a lingering impasse today on terms of the TV coverage for the balance of a five-year contract the pro league signed with TV5 and said the other day only two options remain in settling the issue.

Salud said the options approved by the PBA Board of Governors are to air the games in a doubleheader live on Wednesday and Friday starting at 5:15 p.m. on IBC-13 or at 5:45 p.m. on TV5. Additionally, if the games are shown on IBC-13, games on Saturday and Sunday will begin at 4:15 p.m. and if on TV5, at 3 p.m. Whether games are shown simulcast or on a delayed basis over cable channel Aksyon TV 41 will not matter in the discussions. On IBC-13, the second game of a weekday twinbill will begin at 7:30 p.m. and on TV5, at 8 p.m.

The PBA Board initially set a deadline of July 17 to resolve the issue which stemmed from TV5’s cancellation of a blocktime arrangement with IBC-13 last May. Since acquiring the rights to air the PBA in a reported P917 Million deal two years ago, TV5 has aired the PBA games on IBC-13 until the recent Commissioner’s Cup where selected playoff games, including the entire Final series, were shown on TV5. TV5’s contract to air PBA games expires in 2016.

“We are limiting the host channel options to TV5 and IBC-13 because of reach considerations and the coverage must be live,” said Salud. “The PBA Board has given TV5 a grace period of up to Monday (today) to come up with a plan that conforms to the terms of our contract.”

Several options have been proposed by TV5 in protracted negotiations. Salud said he understands TV5’s prioritizing its news program that competes with ABS-CBN and GMA on a similar format. The latest TV5 proposal is to air the first game of a weekday doubleheader at 4 p.m. and the second at 8 p.m., allowing a 6-6:45 p.m. slot for news. Salud turned it down because the start time for the first game would be too early for office workers to catch and the in-between wait of 45 minutes would be too long for both the TV and live audience.

Salud said he has found dealing with TV5 executives a positive experience as there is a sincere effort to finalize a mutually acceptable compromise. He cited the professionalism of TV5 CEO Noel Lorenzana, consultant Peter Chanliong, TV5 sports head Chot Reyes and TV5 sports manager Vitto Lazatin who are all sports fans. “We’re trying to work out a solution but the PBA Board is firm on the conditions of a live coverage on either TV5 or IBC-13 with exact start times of both games,” said Salud.

If TV5 is unable to comply with the PBA’s terms, Salud said the league will undertake its own production of the coverage but under the default terms of TV5’s contract. The default terms include a P2 Million penalty for each game day to defray costs of production, a P70 Million default and an additional P10 Million liquidation fee. Salud, however, said he hopes a deal can be worked out with TV5.

“Starting the Governors Cup until the FIBA World Championships in Spain next year, we expect to schedule doubleheaders on Saturdays and Sundays and we’re agreeable to start the first game at 3 p.m.,” said Salud. “If TV5 wants to show games simulcast or on a delayed basis over its cable channel Aksyon TV, we welcome it. But that would be a bonus. As far as the PBA Board is concerned, the main consideration is showing the games on free TV live. That is our commitment to the fans.”

TV5 earlier asked to start the second game of a weekday doubleheader later than 8 p.m. but the PBA rejected it. The initial proposal was to air the first game on Aksyon TV 41 and the second on TV5 starting at 8:30 p.m. There was another proposal to split the coverage for the first game on IBC-13 and the second on TV5 but that, too, was thumbed down because switching channels would only create confusion among viewers. The PBA Board set down its conditions with finality for TV5 to comply and stipulated a Monday deadline to agree to terms. It remains to be seen if the impasse will be broken today.