CITV still waiting for RWC contract

With 31 days until the Rugby World Cup kicks off in New Zealand Cook Islands Television is yet to receive concrete confirmation that it can broadcast the games.

Jeane Matenga of CITV says that although they were granted the rights by Sky Pacific to air all 48 matches of the world cup the local station was asked to increase its initial bid for the right to air the games.

Matenga says she has received a lot of positive feedback from regular and new sponsors but she is unable to give them a clear advertising package until she receives a concrete contract with Sky Pacific.

The issues the local television was having with securing broadcast rights was put to New Zealand minister of foreign affairs and rugby world cup minister Murray McCully during his world cup promotion visit early last month.

Im particularly keen to ensure that the games are fully covered here its always great to come to the Cook Islands where when people talk about our team theyre referring to the All Blacks so I very much want to see coverage here, said McCully.

McCully added that he was not familiar with the obstacles being faced by the local television station but said since it was raised he would see what he could to resolve the issues.

Matenga says that she was visited by New Zealand High Commission staff who wanted to know more about the stations difficulty in attaining a contract for the rights to air the world cup games.

They suggested to Matenga to explore gaining broadcast rights through the Maori Television who have the right to broadcast the world cup in New Zealand.

Yesterday Matenga confirmed that she received a draft contract to air the rugby world cup games and she hopes that things will start falling into place soon so she can get sponsors on board and bring the excitement of the rugby world cup to the lounges of Cook Islands rugby fans.

- Matariki Wilson