Young ‘Soca Warriors’ on DirecTV
By Joan Rampersad (T&T Newsday)
That was the boast of DIRECTV’s general manager Bernard Pantin, during the launch of DirecTV’s sports schedule for the next year, at Trotters, Mezzanine in St Clair on Tuesday.
Pantin told the gathering that DirecTV already began their Year of Football with the La Liga - Spanish League Football, as well as qualifying matches leading up to the 2010 World Cup, before announcing that his company has entered into a sub-licensing agreement with TV6 to be able to telecast the actual 2010 World Cup Finals from South Africa, next year.
And with DirecTV’S new promotion of their DVR technology Pantin said: “Exclusive High Definition coverage of World Cup 2010 matches will be available on DirecTV HD — Channel 1004.”
He further explained that DirecTV’s coverage of world football actually extends to all FIFA events, that began with the Confederations Cup in High Definition.
What this also means for TT is that the World Under-20 Championships, at which TT is being represented by our young “Soca Warriors” are scheduled to start September 24, and will also be part of the football package.
He added: “Every week DirecTV customers will enjoy up to 10 matches ‘Live”, with seven games exclusively on DirecTV Sports.
“Furthermore up to four games each weekend will be telecast in unparalleled High Definition.”
Increased sports coverage was kicked off on June 13, with the introduction of DirecTV Sports on Channel 610. This channel was home to WTA tennis, FIBA basketball and international volleyball, apart from the football.
Next week it’s Grand Slam Tennis with the coverage of the US Open 2009. Pantin said DirecTV fans can experience their interactive coverage through mosaic grids.
He then explained: “Fans can view up to six live matches from six different courts on the mosaic channel throughout the day and evening, with instant access to scores and match statistics.
“Each cell can be highlighted to listen to the live audio feed, and your match of choice can be selected at any time to be viewed full screen via the DVR machine and HD TV.
