Never come between a sports fan and his need to see the big game on television.
Occasionally this happens through unforeseen circumstances. Transmission of World Cup 2010 matches from South Africa was interrupted, for example, due to satellite jamming; it is fair to say that viewers were less than understanding towards the service providers. Other times it happens because of contract negotiations: over the last week, three ESPN channels, which broadcast the majority of American sports to viewers in the Middle East, have been unavailable through Etisalat's eVision service.
With the NFL season now in its playoff stage, this could not have come at a worse time. It is not, however, a first for American football fans. "Technical" problems had similarly affected transmission at the beginning of 2011, a few months after Al Jazeera bought the rights to screen the ESPN channels. Fortunately for fans, the issues last year were resolved in time for the majority of games, including the Super Bowl.
Fans will be hoping that current discussions between the providers Etisalat and the rights holders Al Jazeera, are a mere formality.
US football may not enjoy the popularity in this part of the world of what Americans call soccer. Still, the thousands of Americans and others who follow the NFL will be of one voice: "I want my ESPN".
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League quarter-final, second leg (first-leg score):
Manchester City (0) v Tottenham Hotspur (1), Wednesday, 11pm UAE
Match is on BeIN Sports
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MATCH INFO
UAE Division 1
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 12-24 Abu Dhabi Saracens
Slow loris biog
From: Lonely Loris is a Sunda slow loris, one of nine species of the animal native to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore
Status: Critically endangered, and listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature red list due to growing demand in the global exotic pet trade. It is one of the most popular primate species found at Indonesian pet markets
Likes: Sleeping, which they do for up to 18 hours a day. When they are awake, they like to eat fruit, insects, small birds and reptiles and some types of vegetation
Dislikes: Sunlight. Being a nocturnal animal, the slow loris wakes around sunset and is active throughout the night
Superpowers: His dangerous elbows. The slow loris’s doe eyes may make it look cute, but it is also deadly. The only known venomous primate, it hisses and clasps its paws and can produce a venom from its elbow that can cause anaphylactic shock and even death in humans