The recent US Open Golf Championship was not seen on television in Hong Kong because ESPN-STAR Sports could not obtain the rights to screen the event in an Asia- wide broadcast, a company spokesman said.
Although ESPN had obtained the rights for the India market it failed to win approval for a regional broadcast. During negotiations, the rights for Thailand and Taiwan were sold to individual cable operators, preventing a Pan-Asia broadcast.
ESPN, which merged with STAR Sport earlier this year, said it would be airing the British Open and the US PGA Championship during July and August respectively.
CBS' decision to cut off the rain-delayed final round of the Buick Classic at 6 pm last Sunday was based on its belief that it would not finish by 7 pm.
The tournament did not end until about 7.30 pm, with Ernie Els winning.
'We figured we'd tick more people off by going off at seven than if we went off at six,' said LeslieAnne Wade of CBS Sports.