FBC, Fiji FA Seal Coverage Deal

The Fijian Broadcasting Cor­poration (FBC) television will air live three Digicel Premier League matches each week through pay-per-view on the Pop Up Channel when the competi­tion kick off next weekend.

Fiji Football Association presi­dent, Rajesh Patel announced the three-year deal at the Fiji FA head­quarters in Vatuwaqa, Suva, yester­day.

Patel indicated this was appro­priate for the safety of all football fans as games will be played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 protocols.

There are three packages includ­ed; a single game package which is $6, double header package is $10 and the yearly package of $300 which includes about 54 matches.

“It is an exciting time for football in this country, as you all know what we’re going through with COVID and football to be played be­hind closed doors. It’s an opportune time for people who love football to hear it and see it live,” Patel said.

“FBC and Fiji FA has gone into an exclusive deal where the Digicel Premier League and the three tour­naments will be shown on pay-per-view on Walesi platform.”

Prices will defer slightly for over­seas viewers, however, local sub­scriptions can be paid through any of the local payment system.

A certain percentage will be di­rected to the district teams which will depend on the number of view­ers.

“To the football loving fans that support their district, it is only Fiji FA taking a percentage of the per-pay-view but we will be giv­ing it back to the districts. So the more you support and watch your districts, the percentage of it goes back to the district as they will not have any fans to recover their fi­nancial burden.

“We are covering for the stadium cost, travelling cost and everything. “At the same time whatever we get from a certain game for a district; we will give it to them on a certain percentage.

“This is something beneficial all around,” Patel said.

FBC chief executive officer, Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said: “We are very glad at FBC that we have an agree­ment with Fiji FA. This is some­thing that we have been working on for quite some time.

“It is something that comes in an opportune time that we all need to be more careful in view of the pan­demic.

“We are very glad that we will be bringing three matches per week on the Walesi FBC Pop Up Channel. We have used this platform in the past for various events and we have been working out the logistics for this pop channel for about a year and half now.

“We hope this deal will continue in terms of what we can bring to the Fijian public by way of the oth­er assets that belong to Fiji FA such as the tournaments and possibly radio coverage as well.”

A doubleheader fixture is set at the ANZ Stadium, Suva, next Sun­day; at 1pm Nasinu will open their campaign against Labasa while Suva face defending champions Lautoka at 3pm.

Nadi host Tailevu/Naitasiri at Prince Charles Park at 3pm while Rewa battle Ba at Ratu Cakobau Park in Nausori.

Navua take on Nadroga at the Up­rising Sports Complex in Pacific Harbour, Deuba at 3pm.

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj