MONROVIA, May 29 (LINA) -The Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) says it has negotiated and purchased public viewing television rights for the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

LBS Deputy Director General for Media Services and Broadcasting, Ledgerhood Rennie , made the disclosure Thursday at the Ministry of Information weekly press briefing.

He said the television rights acquired by the LBS is in fulfillment of numerous calls by Liberians about the provision of television content on the Liberia National Television (LNTV) that will reflect the true representation of the country.

According to Rennie, the TV public viewing rights provide the broadcast of the tournament by LNTV to Free-To-Air televisions, public spaces, such as open stadiums and parks, as well as public viewing centers like cinemas and
video clubs.

He said the private viewing rights, which were subsequently purchased from FIFA by Super Sports Liberia, will also give Super Sports the right to broadcast the tournament to private homes, hotels and restaurants in Liberia.

“This media right agreement will give LBS and Super Sports the right to broadcast the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup exclusively, which means that all video clubs, cinema operators and all Free-to-Air television stations must firstly consult the management of LBS for possible sharing of this right,” Rennie said.

He stressed that it will be a violation of the Anti-Piracy Laws, the International Copy Rights Law and a violation also of the Intellectual Property Right of FIFA and its partners for any institution in Liberia to broadcast the 2014 World Cup games without the permission of LBS.
LINA WG/PSN/JGT/TSS/PTK