China, Germany bringing World Cup live to Varanasi

Varanasi, June 12 (UNI) After failing to connect with Germany 2006 through ESPN-STAR, cable operators here have managed to bring live World Cup Soccer Action to TV screens through two German and Chinese satellite channels.

A Siti Cable senior technician said they had succeeded in bringing the World Cup live to the ancient city through two free to air channels of Germany and China.

''After failing to strike a deal with ESPN-STAR Network for World Cup telecast, we did not become downcast, but hours of search for free to air channels ended successfully with the match between Argentina and Ivory Coast on Saturday being telecast live through a German channel,'' he added.

Owing to flawed picture quality of the German channel, we switched over to another free to air channel, this time a Chinese, and telecast to TV screens of soccer fans, yesterday's matches live, the Siti Cable personnel added.

''If there is no problem in signal downlinking, we will provide unhindered World Cup coverage through the Chinese channel till the end of the quadrennial event.'' Siti Cable provides satellite TV products to at least 140 cable operators having 70,000 connections.

While local viewers may find it a wee bit difficult to swallow live World Cup action laced with Chinese commentary, for the handfull of Chinese back-packers in the tourist city this development has come as a blessing in disguise.

''It is a dream come true to catch live World Cup action in our own lingo,'' said Xin Jua, a Chinese tourist staying at a guest house in Dwashashamedh area.

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