Island can only have Caribbean regional Olympic coverageBy Tim SmithThis summer’s Olympic Games will get more than double the coverage of the 2008 Games, according to CableVision general manager Terry Roberson.Round-the-clock footage will be shown on CableVision’s channel 514 and VSB’s channel 11, with rights also extended to cable provider WOW, after the Games kick off next week.Nearly 400 hours of television coverage is planned via the feed from International Media Content, parent company of SportsMax, which has exclusive Caribbean broadcast rights to London 2012; sports popular in the Caribbean are also more likely to get air time as part of the deal.During Beijing 2008, CableVision and ZBM were severely criticised for showing just 154 hours of events, with viewers complaining about poor reception and unscheduled blackouts.Mr Roberson said in a statement: “It was our goal, along with VSB, to bring our viewers the most coverage possible of the Olympic Games.“When CableVision learned that the IMC feed would be the only television coverage available to the entire region, we stepped up and purchased the rights so that Bermuda could enjoy the Olympics.“In the spirit of the Games, we have extended the rights to WOW subscribers.“It is important for viewers to understand that, in essence, it was this or nothing, since regulations require that all US-based Olympics coverage on NBC, CNBC, and MSNBC, as well as Canadian channels, must be blacked out by all broadcast and cable systems across the region. This situation is beyond our control.“However, the good news is that the IMC feed will deliver the most comprehensive coverage of the Olympics to date. Viewers will be treated to more than double the coverage that was available from the Beijing Olympics in 2008.“Moreover, the regional focus that has been enabled by IMC’s investments will be more relevant to our local audiences, and will not have what some have referred to in the past as a US bias.“Sports fans who enjoy following non-Caribbean events such as synchronised swimming and gymnastics will still be able to enjoy those sports.“In all, nearly 400 hours of television coverage will be aired via this broadcast feed from IMC. In comparison, the Beijing coverage that was made available totaled only 154 hours.“All in all, this should make for an exciting experience of the Olympics for Bermuda viewers, and we hope they will enjoy it.”Bermuda has eight athletes taking part in the Games, which run from July 27 to August 12: long jumpers Tyrone Smith and Arantxa King; triathletes Tyler Butterfield and Flora Duffy; equestrian Jillian Terceira; swimmer Roy-Allan Burch and 49er sailors Jesse and Zander Kirkland.