The Fool On The Hill

Looks like I going to miss the World Cup.

After a series of talks that would have put Murdoch to shame, the terrestrial TV broadcasting rights in Spain for the World Cup were eventually handed to new-comers "La Sexta" TV. Despite pretty plans and numerous promises it transpires that unfortunately "La Sexta" , being only a few months old, haven't had sufficient time to build enough transmitters to cover the whole of Spain so a estimated sixth ( how appropriate ) of fans throughout the country were going to miss out.

To a great fanfare after seeing an opportunity in get in on the act, or is it farce, another new channel 'Cuatro', (who being a year old has supposedly got the required infrastructure in place ) has for an unclosed cut-price deal obtained the distribution rights for some games. Just when you begin to feel saved at the death, it transpires that they have only purchased the rights to those first round games involving Spain.

Well, great. F**k the rest of us is it. With "La Sexta" showing only 27 of the 48 opening phase games there are therefore 21 first round games will NOT be available on terrestrial TV and will only be broadcast on the satellite station Digital/Canal Plus. Thank you Spanish FA - obviously the price was right.

So the foreigners that Spain has in abundance have had to do some planning. If you happen to live in that part of the country not covered by "La Sexta" and want to see all the games you will have to buy a Canal Plus dish AS WELL as one of those new-fanged Digital receivers to get "La Sexta". So I shopped around and strangely found them not only in short supply but risen in price. I eventually, and in some desperation, stumpled up with the 60 Euros and brought a cheapie receiver.

At first this seemed to work but rain clouds have appeared on the horizon, in more ways than one, and the reception has gone AWOL. Maybe the aerials crap or its pointing in the wrong direction or probably its just cheap rubbish. And I now find out that "La Bloody Sexta" doesn't plan to broadcast the first 2 games featuring one of the favorites - England.

So its back to the shop with my "Pro-Basic DTR" to find out why its not working and even if I get a replacement/new aerial or whatever I'll still have to persuade my wife that its vital that I go to the bar down the road at 3 o'clock today.