UBC is bound by contract to televise UEFA matches
EDITOR—I respond to Mr. Patrick Abila’s letter entitled “Why does ubc screen Man U alone?†(The New Vison, April 16). Abila is displeased with the manner in which UBC TV airs the UEFA Champions League tournament. He complained that the station wa
EDITOR—I respond to Mr. Patrick Abila’s letter entitled “Why does ubc screen Man U alone?†(The New Vison, April 16). Abila is displeased with the manner in which UBC TV airs the UEFA Champions League tournament. He complained that the station was biased when selecting some of the live matches.
The UEFA Champions League is governed by a contract signed by user broadcasters including UBC. There are specific conditions spelt out in the contract requiring the broadcasters to televise and broadcast the tournament with the broadcasting specifications given by UEFA.
The onus is also on the user broadcasters to air the games that are awarded to them. Free-to-air broadcasters like UBC do not have the right to choose which match is aired. The right is reserved to UEFA and their agents.
It must also be noted that the winner of the UEFA Champions League does not only win the trophy and the millions of dollars that accompany it, but they are also bestowed with the privilege of becoming brand ambassadors for the tournament during their reign. Hence the season that ensues shall have promos created featuring the champions.
Their build-up campaign in the new season will frequently be covered until they are evicted from the tournament. This is the privileged status that Manchester United as the defending champions currently enjoy.
This privilege will also be extended to the next champions be they Barcelona, Arsenal or Chelsea. Therefore, UBC is in no way biased when airing UEFA matches. However, he must also take into consideration that UBC has to follow the legal contractual obligations required of it when airing these kinds of tournaments.
ne Kasumba
Public Relations and Communications Manager
Uganda Broadcasting Corporation
The UEFA Champions League is governed by a contract signed by user broadcasters including UBC. There are specific conditions spelt out in the contract requiring the broadcasters to televise and broadcast the tournament with the broadcasting specifications given by UEFA.
The onus is also on the user broadcasters to air the games that are awarded to them. Free-to-air broadcasters like UBC do not have the right to choose which match is aired. The right is reserved to UEFA and their agents.
It must also be noted that the winner of the UEFA Champions League does not only win the trophy and the millions of dollars that accompany it, but they are also bestowed with the privilege of becoming brand ambassadors for the tournament during their reign. Hence the season that ensues shall have promos created featuring the champions.
Their build-up campaign in the new season will frequently be covered until they are evicted from the tournament. This is the privileged status that Manchester United as the defending champions currently enjoy.
This privilege will also be extended to the next champions be they Barcelona, Arsenal or Chelsea. Therefore, UBC is in no way biased when airing UEFA matches. However, he must also take into consideration that UBC has to follow the legal contractual obligations required of it when airing these kinds of tournaments.
ne Kasumba
Public Relations and Communications Manager
Uganda Broadcasting Corporation