Euro-16 matches are seemingly something close to Vanuatu and almost every individual in the urban centres has a Euro team close to their hearts.
The Euro-16 fever started since day one of the football matches but many fans who depended on the national TV broadcast for the matches were disappointed that they had to miss some of the matches played by their favorite team or players.
The management of Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC) has apologized for not being able to fulfil its earlier assurance to provide live coverage for all matches of the Euro-16 through Television Blong Vanuatu (TBV).
VBTC general manager, Fred Vurobaravu said “the arrangement in place with Kek TV cannot eventuate”.
Kek TV provides live stream e-sports matches that can be easily access through App on phone, i-pad etc when you are in the coverage area.
Speaking through Radio Vanuatu, Mr Vurobaravu said the unfortunate situation has resulted in TBV relying on matches provided through the French TV.
Mr Vurobaravu said “The French TV will be airing just 11 games which will be relayed through TBV.”
He said the company has been through some tough financial challenges in the past few weeks that has affected its earlier decision on the coverage of Euro-16 matches.
“Once VBTC is in a better financial position it will review operation costs incurred because with this one it has certainly affected Euro-16 programs on TBV”.
“It is beyond the control of VBTC but we hope to cover the next major events”, he told listeners of Radio Vanuatu, Paradise FM and viewers of TBV, which are components of VBTC.
However, Mr Vurobaravu assured viewers of the national broadcaster that the all quarter final matches through to the grand final will be covered live by French TV and relayed by TBV.
The VBTC general manager also admitted VBTC’s inability to provide full coverage of a world championship match at this stage for die-hard soccer fans.
This is the second apology in two weeks after the first involved inappropriate contents being aired at a time when soccer fans were waiting for a Euro-16 match on TBV.
In Port Vila, national flags of a favorite team would either be displayed from tree top, long poles or on private and company vehicles, or even hung alongside properties.