cable rivals Cablevision.

Cablevision can carry coverage of the Atlanta games through NBC -- but the BBC has negotiated exclusive Bermudian rights to the Olympics -- which start on July 26 -- through the Caribbean Broadcasting Union and plans to air them on ZFB Channel 7.

BBC general manager Rick Richardson said yesterday that the deadline for a reply to a letter from the BBC passed yesterday.

Cablevision has already said the firm will not blank out the ESPN cable sports channel, which will carry coverage of the Olympics.

Mr. Richardson said he had written to Cablevision months ago offering proposals on Olympic coverage.

But he added the cable firm had not yet responded.

Mr. Richardson said: "They have not worked out anything about purchasing something from us. We paid through the nose for Olympic coverage. Therefore we said to them, make us a monetary offer and show us an offer that you could carry our sponsors.'' Mr. Richardson added that he did not think Cablevision could carry full coverage.

"While I think the time has passed for an agreement between the BBC and Cablevision, there is some possibility at this eleventh hour if they respond.''