TV5 offered more money, but GMA 7 had everything the NCAA could ask for, according to a highly-reliable Malaya-Business Insight source.
“It’s the whole package. Actually, mas malaki ang offer na pera ng kabila but it’s not just the money,” the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
“So, iyong totality ng package, how they (GMA 7) will promote, pati iyong scheduling and channel assignment, coverage reach, lahat iyon kinonsider namin.”
The NCAA officially inked a five-and-a-half year contract with GMA 7 last Friday to be its new broadcast partner beginning in the 96th season.
Having served as partner of the NCAA from 2010 to 2012, TV5 initially had the inside track for the deal.
But with the network also broadcasting the PBA games since 2011 and the NBA matches since late July, the country’s oldest collegiate league deemed it best to link up with GMA 7 to be its “crown jewel” in sports.
“Ililipat-lipat kami ng channel, siguro kasi puno ang schedule nila, may araw na nasa One Sports, mayroong nasa One PH, na-experience na namin iyan before sa TV5, palipat-lipat ng channel,” the source explained.