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Region: Cable operators reject Football exclusivity for Facebook

By  |  March 19, 2019
The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) has been strongly criticized by the Union of Cable Operators of Latin America (UOL) as a result of the plan of this organization to grant the exclusive rights of transmission of the Copa Libertadores to Facebook.

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    UOL, which brings together cable companies in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, told the president of Conmebol, Alejandro Domínguez, “The concern of the inhabitants of 2,210 localities… The Confederation that you preside has granted exclusively the transmission of the games that are disputed on Thursday […] this decision alters the usual distribution ecosystem of football in our countries …” the statement said, pointing out that exclusivities are harmful to free competition, as well as the difficult access to Facebook which many households in the region face.

    While they express their support for technological advancements, UOL does not accept that “Only the economic power of this type of multinational companies is contemplated at the expense of local companies.” The note has been endorsed by the Chambers of SMEs of Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.
    Full Content: El Observador

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