Tongan television viewers who have been enjoying watching the opening matches of the Rugby World Cup live and free on CCTV, should enjoy it while they can and hope that a ship carrying Sky Pacific TV equipment from Fiji will never arrive in Tongatapu.

This special broadcast of the Rugby World Cup matches is being fed by TBC from Fiji...’s Sky TV through China Central Television's channel to viewers in Tongatapu and 'Eua.

Katalina Tohi the manager for Television Tonga said today that this unusual arrangement was made because of the late arrival of the Sky Pacific equipment. The Tonga Broadcasting Commission struck a compromise with Fiji...’s Sky Television, who owns the sole right for live broadcasts of the RWC in the area, to do a special broadcast of the matches free through CCTV channel. "It is much easier. They have their own satellite disc and at no extra costs Sky TV relays the RWC games through CCTV."

Katalina said that the equipment was scheduled to arrive two weeks ago but she was hopeful that it would arrive tonight.

"If it does, the set up and activation of the Sky customers will likely be completed by Friday, September 14, and the current free live broadcasts of the matches through CCTV channel will stop."

A total of 300 customers have paid for their Sky TV package to view the RWC matches.

Since May 2006 CCTV has been offering a free English television service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.