SKYcable played down reports of alleged unpaid carriage fees for NBA channels owned by Solar Entertainment, insisting it is trying to find ways to resolve issues that has deprived its subscribers of NBA playoff action.
Although it didn’t directly respond to the reports, SKY assured it is not remiss in its obligations for the carriage of its channels.
Its response came in an advisory to subscribers days after an Inquirer report that SKY failed to pay carriage fees amounting to around P659 million to Solar Entertainment that led to Basketball TV and NBA Premium being dropped from its channel line-up since the start of the NBA Playoffs.
“SKY understands the importance of the NBA Playoffs to its valued subscribers and continues to find ways in resolving the matter the soonest possible time.”
[See Millions in unpaid 'carriage fees' led to pullout of NBA channels from SKYcable, says report]
“We assure our subscribers that SKY has been diligent in its rightful obligation for the carriage of all its channels.”
“It is regrettable that our NBA viewers have not been able to enjoy the games because of the unavailability of NBA Premium TV and BTV,” said SKY in the statement.
SKY said it is still committed to bringing the NBA Playoffs to its subscribers through other means — it has started showing NBA games on HD on all networks for subscribers with HD digiboxes regardless of plans.
[See SKYcable unable to give timetable for return of NBA Premium, Basketball TV to channel lineup]
"Nevertheless, SKY remains committed to bring as many games of the NBA Playoffs on ABS-CBN Sports+Action that will air one to two games daily, Fox Sports with two games weekly, and ABS-CBN with one game weekly. Starting April 20 (Thursday), the NBA games are now available on High Definition on the said channels for all SKYcable subscribers with HD digiboxes regardless of their plans. Updated schedules are posted here.
“SKY apologizes to its subscribers for this unfortunate situation,” SKY added.
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