|
|
Fans Launch A Petition Against ESPN Star For Depriving Them Of Premier League Action
28-Feb-2011 4:53:00 PM
By Rahul Bali
Football fanatics in India were deprived of their daily dosage of Premier League action this weekend when the official broadcasters ESPN STAR chose to broadcast the India versus England match from the ongoing 2011 Cricket World Cup on three channels in their network.
The match in question was telecasted on ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket leaving millions of football lovers at sea which once again raised the perennial debate as to cricket “killing” the interests of other sports.
There were some surprise results in store when Liverpool were thrashed 3-1 by West Ham United whereas Mark Hughes capped off his return to Eastlands with Fulham by stealing away a point from Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City.
Several fans have started an online petition against the broadcasters showcasing their dismay over the manner in which the Premier League action is being handled.
"This is absolutely unfair and unethical..!! When you already have two channels for cricket...why is there need for a third one..!!! Have respect for the sport you show and for all the people who watch your channel at least..!! Bring back football..!!!! - Kuhelika Guha
“We applaud you for the near-perfect football coverage your network has been bringing to our homes, for the best part of a decade now. We understand that India is hosting the Cricket World Cup, and how it’s an event which drives the nation’s mood. But ironically, largely thanks to your contributions, India now boasts of a sizeable football-loving community.
“Your decision to show only a small selection of Premier League games live and sometimes not even show the deferred telecast, are deeply disappointing. You have instead chosen to show (on most instances) the same World Cup game on all three of your channels; ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket,” read the petition.
Further in their appeal to the channel, they have asked them to re-do their broadcast schedule to accommodate the Premier League which shall not hurt the sentiments of the large number of fans across the country.
“Despite repeated emails to your 'feedback' email on the website and repeated pings on Twitter, none of us have received a reply or an explanation to any of our queries, ever.
"We suggest you show the Premier League games on at least one of the channels, and if necessary two, when there are concurrent live games lined up during the Cricket World Cup. You will still have one channel to broadcast the Cricket match. Hope you’ll re-do your TV Schedule, so as to better suit our liking," read the petition.
The match in question was telecasted on ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket leaving millions of football lovers at sea which once again raised the perennial debate as to cricket “killing” the interests of other sports.
There were some surprise results in store when Liverpool were thrashed 3-1 by West Ham United whereas Mark Hughes capped off his return to Eastlands with Fulham by stealing away a point from Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City.
Several fans have started an online petition against the broadcasters showcasing their dismay over the manner in which the Premier League action is being handled.
"This is absolutely unfair and unethical..!! When you already have two channels for cricket...why is there need for a third one..!!! Have respect for the sport you show and for all the people who watch your channel at least..!! Bring back football..!!!! - Kuhelika Guha
“We applaud you for the near-perfect football coverage your network has been bringing to our homes, for the best part of a decade now. We understand that India is hosting the Cricket World Cup, and how it’s an event which drives the nation’s mood. But ironically, largely thanks to your contributions, India now boasts of a sizeable football-loving community.
“Your decision to show only a small selection of Premier League games live and sometimes not even show the deferred telecast, are deeply disappointing. You have instead chosen to show (on most instances) the same World Cup game on all three of your channels; ESPN, Star Sports and Star Cricket,” read the petition.
You don't need 3 channels to show the same thing, do you now? - Gurleen Kaur
Further in their appeal to the channel, they have asked them to re-do their broadcast schedule to accommodate the Premier League which shall not hurt the sentiments of the large number of fans across the country.
“Despite repeated emails to your 'feedback' email on the website and repeated pings on Twitter, none of us have received a reply or an explanation to any of our queries, ever.
"We suggest you show the Premier League games on at least one of the channels, and if necessary two, when there are concurrent live games lined up during the Cricket World Cup. You will still have one channel to broadcast the Cricket match. Hope you’ll re-do your TV Schedule, so as to better suit our liking," read the petition.
No use of showing the same game on multiple channels, just for the sake of extra revenues through advertisements! - Kritarth Singh
Our
provides the best breaking news online and our 
football fan community is unmatched worldwide. Never miss a thing again!
Inside Goal.Com
-
The list of EPL targets from Euro 2012 Group A
With the transfer rumour mill set to kick into frenzy throughout this month's European Championship, Goal.com looks at which players could be heading for England this summer
-
Iniesta still making the difference for Spain
The ethereal midfielder remains Vicente del Bosque's most consistent performer as La Roja set out to retain their European crown in Poland and Ukraine
-
Euro 2012 Tactical Analysis: How far can Roy's masterplan take England?
England are a diminished lot, with the experienced players like Lampard, Gareth Barry and Gary Cahill all ruled out of the Euros. Goal.com's Sarthak Dubey analyses their chances..
-
Euro 2012 Trivia: Which team has the fewest combined caps among them?
Which is the least experienced team in Euro 2012? Time to test your knowledge, mate
-
Vote for your Goal.com World Player of the Week
Have your say on who you think should win Goal.com's weekly honour