PBL-Solar ties remain strong

By Dominic Menor
October 31, 2007

Chino Trinidad admitted he was initially anxious about the impending cancellation of the Solar Sports broadcast on SkyCable. But the commissioner of the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) said the development only opens other opportunities.

“Sa una, mahirap tanggapin ’yung [cancellation]. It almost comes instinctively for a viewer to go to SkyCable when they watch cable TV. It’s like a tradition, but [now that SkyCable and Solar are parting ways] it’s not the end of the world,” Trinidad said.

The coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games, which Solar Entertainment secured early this year, will also continue but it will be carried by other cable providers including Global Destiny Cable.

The PBL signed a three-year contract with Solar Entertainment to broadcast its basketball games live weeks before the PBL season started this month. The PBL, which used to be broadcast on the Studio 23 channel of ABS-CBN, is currently being shown on BasketballTV.

Trinidad said that the PBL is throwing its full support behind Solar Entertainment.

“You can’t prepare for something like this. Everything has a risk. Malay ba namin na hindi mari-renew ang contract [ng Solar],” Trinidad said.

“They’ve given the assurance that our partnership will continue to be solid. And that has started already when they began a once-a-week broadcast on RPN 9. It’s a blessing in disguise,” he added.

Trinidad said he found out about Solar’s plan to search for a new cable provider in a victory dinner tendered by Solar to Manny Pacquiao.

“I believe that Solar Sports can find ways to [mend the situation],” he said. “Marami naman kasing channels sa free TV lalo na, that are available na pwedeng pasukin ng Solar. The possibilities in terms of where they can put their programs are endless,” Trinidad added.

Meanwhile, Solar Sports is broadcasting the Olympic Games next year on Global Destiny Cable.

Solar acquired the broadcast rights to the Games earlier this year, and they will continue to show on cable TV despite Solar’s departure from SkyCable.

“It’s a decision point for the TV viewers. The bigger picture here is, as I said, putting premium on content,” said Jude Turcuato, vice president of marketing for Solar Sports.

Approximately 40 percent of cable coverage in Metro Manila belongs to SkyCable and 60 percent from other cable providers including Global Destiny.

In Global Destiny’s web site, Solar Sports is on the regular list of channels. BasketballTV is listed as a premium channel, which requires a separate subscription.