IT is disappointing that no one has written to thank MCV for providing us with a live viewing of the Lewis-Tyson fight—at no charge.
Viewers are quick to write when they are disgruntled with their cable service. And they should be. That’s our job when dealing with a monopoly. However, it is also just to give credit where credit is due.
I and others from Saipan and Tinian called Steve Coleman, CEO of MCV and a member of the original Oregan Gang, a month before the fight to ask if we were going to get a chance to see the fight live. He told me that it would be a hard call because the rights were owned by a promoter out of Guam. He made the contact and discovered it would cost $5,000 for the broadcast.
The MCV advertising team began beating the bushes digging up companies that would fork out the cash. And that ain’t easy these days. In fact, they only secured the funds and the rights two days before the fight.
So, those people who are grumbling about the advertising between rounds are in dire need of a neuro-surgeon. If it wasn’t for those advertisers, we would not have had the opportunity to see the fight at all.
The effort made by MCV to bring the fight to us live had other benefits. Because of the live broadcast, hotels like the Tinian Dynasty were able to sponsor special events. Guests spent money on brunches or lunches, just to watch the fight. That created revenues for the general fund.
There are other instances of MCV’s positive reaction to requests. There are 50 some families living in the new Carolinas Heights Subdivision. They had no cable television, thus no football. After all, there are priorities in life. After requests were made, albeit strenuously, MCV installed the lines and connected 30 homes. MCV is losing money on this operation but the subscribers saw the fight and will see football this year.
When the Marines landed on Tinian this year, it was just before the Super Bowl. Two days before the game, Dynasty requested a hookup so the troops could see the game. It was done.
I’m not one to praise a monopoly. And there certainly are areas of improvement that MCV could make in its broadcasting. But let’s give credit where credit is due.
Thank you Steve, Bob and the MCV team for helping us watch the fight–-for free!DON FARRELL
Marpo Heights, Tinian
