TV in the dark over live Beijing broadcasts

By Nick Mulvenney

BEIJING (Reuters) - Broadcasters still do not know if they will be allowed to transmit live from outside venues or 'iconic' sites like Tiananmen Square during the August Olympics, according to a satellite service provider in Beijing.

China has consistently promised media the same freedom to report in August as they have enjoyed at previous Games, in line with the requirements of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

But just seven weeks before the opening ceremony, broadcasters have yet to learn whether they have been successful in their applications for licenses to transmit live from major landmarks, an integral part of coverage in the past.

"The line we're getting from various authorities is that policies on live transmissions from outside Olympic venues and iconic sites have not been decided yet," Kevin Fleck of Global Vision, which provides services to Olympic sponsors, rights holders and non-rights holders, told Reuters.

"Broadcasters needed the decision to be made months ago because they have to commit budgets and allocate air-time for Olympic slots.

"We're very worried about this, our line to our clients has been to hold on and to wait. They say 'we can't wait, do something about it'."

A spokesman for the Beijing organizers said he was unaware of the problem.

"As far as I know, Tiananmen Square and other public places will be open to the media, but I'm not sure about all the details," said Sun Weide.

HUGE INVESTMENT

Broadcasters invest huge sums in purchasing the rights to the Games. NBC paid $3.5 billion for the exclusive U.S. rights to broadcast the Olympics from 2000 to 2008.

At a heated meeting in Athens earlier this month, the IOC played down the concerns of rights holders that the level of security surrounding the Games would prevent the importing and operation of satellite trucks in China.

The Beijing office of NBC was unable to make anyone available for comment on Monday.

Fleck said that as far as he was aware, none of Global Vision's competitors had got approval for live broadcasts.

"We've been working on this for 18 months and in the past have received tacit approval on the infrastructure but that has kind of been withdrawn," he said.

The problem is particularly acute for those without rights to broadcast the Olympics but who have traditionally covered events surrounding the Games from the host city.