Since Friday 27th July, 2012, viewers have been denied the opportunity to access NBC at a time when many of them were gearing up to take in the spectacle of the grand Opening Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.
However, much to the dismay of thousands of customers, the service has not been available. According so some callers to popular radio talk show programs, no advanced explanation and no apologies were offered by the management of The Cable, which is mainly owned (majority shareholder) by the Government of St. Kitts & Nevis.
In addition to their demands for an explanation, consumers have also been calling for some financial compensation, but if one is to go by the comments of the company’s Marketing Manager, Ms. Lornlia Matthew, while speaking to local radio on Monday, 30th July, there appears to be no intention, at this time, to offer any redress to their customers.
On Monday, Ms. Matthew went on to explain that they have had to block two channels, namely NBC on channel 4 and Telemundo-channel 74. She said that this is because The Cable has purchased the rights from the International Media Content, IMC, to broadcast the London Olympics and within that contract they are not allowed to show channels 4 and 74, because the games are being broadcast on channel 98.
To do so, said the Marketing Manager, would be in violation of their agreement and this she explained could have financial implications. She also said that the company has been receiving many telephone calls with negative feedback from the public.
Matthew said it is not easy for The Cable to issue a reimbursement because the channels blocked are part of a package, thus it would be difficult to ascertain what amounts ought to be paid back to customers.
She however advised that her company is currently in discussions with the IMC, seeking a possible resolution that could be acceptable to customers. She said it is their hope that the matter would not remain outstanding during the entire period of the Olympics.