Cinema operators around the country that broadcast live European matches are set to return to business as the major leagues including the popular English Premier League and the Spanish la Liga are set to start this week.
The European leagues went on a two-month break and its return this week brings a lot of excitement to Cinema operators across the country.
Mr Samuel Adjarnor, a cinema operator who broadcast live European matches in an interview with the GRAPHIC BUSINESS expressed his excitement at the opportunity to now broadcast five-six games every weekend which in turn will increase his revenues.
He said he paid his monthly bill in June hoping to capitalise on the World Cup but that could not happen because of the live telecast of the World Cup matches on free-to-air networks.
“I made a huge loss in the month of June and with the season set to resume, I hope to recuperate my losses and make some profit. I paid a monthly bill of GH¢199 and made just GH¢150 minus electricity charges”, he lamented.
Mr Joseph Eshun also hinted that the charge per game was likely to be increased from GH¢1.00 to GH¢1.50 due to the unstable supply of electricity which sometimes required him to hire a generator at a cost.
He said the use of generators increased the cost of doing business due to the increment in the prices of petrol.
Opportunity for betting companies
The return of the major leagues also presents an opportunity for betting companies, as a visit to some of them indicated that people had already started thronging in to place bets on their favourite teams.
One of the staff members at Safaribet, who spoke to the paper on grounds of anonymity, said the number of people who visited the place daily had increased since last week with people placing bets from as low as GH¢1 to GH¢100.
She was, however, looking forward to a larger number of people during the weekend as many people, according to her, liked to place their bets on the match day.
The people who had come to place their bets also didn’t hide their excitements as some of them were optimistic of recuperating the monies they lost through betting in the previous season.
League fixtures
Defending champions, Manchester City, face a tough start to their title defense as they travel to face Newcastle United at the St James Stadium.
Their city rivals, Manchester United, after a disappointing season last term, will be hoping for a good start as they host Swansea in what will be Louis Van Gaal’s first league game at Old Trafford.
Jose Mourinho and his men also face a huge test as they travel to battle newly promoted side, Burnley.
Liverpool FC will also begin their campaign at Anfield with a match with Southampton whiles Arsenal also host Crystal Palace at the Emirates stadium.
The Spanish season will also begin with a cup match between last season’s UEFA champion’s league finalist, Real Madrid, and city rivals Atletico Madrid on August 19, 2014.
The league will, however, resume on August 23, 2014 as Barcelona will be aiming to “bite back” after a disappointing “trophyless” campaign last term.
They will, however, be without their latest acquisition, Luis Suarez, as they host Elche at the Camp Nou.
Real Madrid will also host Cordoba at the Bernebeau, while defending champions Atletico Madrid travel to face Rayo Vallecano.