AUS_WI_TV_COVERAGE_24FEB95

The Australian pay-TV Premier Sports Network (PSN) has rejected a compromise deal offered by the free-to-air Nine Network which would have allowed Nine to broadcast the imminent Australian tour of the West Indies.

PSN holds the broadcasting rights, but is willing to offer simultaneous broadcast rights to Nine. Nine, who originally wanted PSN to delay their broadcast by 24 hours, agreed to pay PSN`s asking price if PSN delayed starting their broadcasts until play was over - thus giving Nine the monopoly on live coverage.

The deadlock has gone before a Federal Senate investigating committee, with Nine arguing that PSN cannot be allowed simultaneous broadcasts, under the pay-TV anti-siphoning laws.

The West Indies Cricket Board has joined the argument, claiming the anti-siphoning laws are detrimental to the development of the game - since greater payments for media rights from pay-TV networks have allowed them to make profits.

Complicating matters is that pay-TV has only begun operation in Australia in the past few weeks, and so far has only an extremely limited audience.

There appears to be no easy resolution of the matter.