TV deal struck for World Cup opener, other games still to be thrashed out

By Lerpong Amsa-ngiam 
The Nation

 

Representatives of nine companies who sponsor free broadcast of the World Cup in a photo session. / Nation Photo by Wanchai Kraisornkhajit

 

Amarin TV, Channel 5 and True4U will broadcast free live coverage of the opening World Cup game between Russia and Saudi Arabia on June 14 (10pm Thailand time).
 

The deal for the Cup opener is part of an agreement between the government and nine private companies to allow Thais to watch all 64 Russian World Cup matches on the three free-to-air TV stations from June 14 to July 14.

 

Further details of the TV schedule for other group stage games have not been revealed yet, however, as those vying  for the rights cannot reach agreement.

 

The Bt14 billion needed to pay for the overall broadcast licence was raised by nine companies: BTS Group Holdings, Thai Beverage, Charoen Pokphand Group (CP), Gulf Energy Development, Kasikorn Bank, King Power International, PTT Global Chemical, Bangchak Corporation and the Carabao Group.

 

Some of those involved have started setting out their planned campaigns and activities that will take place during the world’s biggest single-sport event.

 

CP is offering tickets to watch individual games for people buying more than Bt40 worth of products at 7-Eleven stores or through True Money Wallet (using the 7App) or those paying bills at all Counter Service branches from now until May 23.

 

 

 2018 World Cup Mascot 

 

True Corporation, a subsidiary of CP, will broadcast the Cup on all its platforms, including TrueVision Cable TV and its TrueID App.

 

Kasikorn Bank’s campaign includes online analysis on featured matches by local soccer experts, plus special live reports throughout Russia 2018.

 

Bangchak customers will receive free glasses with designs inspired by six of the participating teams by visiting its petrol stations around the country from June 10 to July 15.

 

Carabao clients can be in to win prizes worth a total of Bt3 million by sending their predictions for the 2018 Cup winning team through Carabao Dang Line official.

 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/sports/30345487

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-16

Unlike elections, utility promised times for house visits, etc etc..... the clock is ticking. It's not like they didn't know when WC was scheduled to happen.

Haste makes waste and general cockups.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

CP is offering tickets to watch individual games for people buying more than Bt40 worth of products at 7-Eleven stores or through True Money Wallet (using the 7App) or those paying bills at all Counter Service branches from now until May 23.

 

Well, that's a great incentive when the games are free to watch anyway!

2 hours ago, Emster23 said:

Unlike elections, utility promised times for house visits, etc etc..... the clock is ticking. It's not like they didn't know when WC was scheduled to happen.

Haste makes waste and general cockups.

 

If my memory is correct, they were still sorting things out just a few days before the last World Cup. Blank screens were threatened at one stage. So, plenty of time yet. I'll be watching on internet tv anyway.

20 hours ago, webfact said:

The Bt14 billion needed to pay for the overall broadcast licence was raised by nine companies

I sincerely hope there are a few misplaced zeros here because otherwise that’s an appalling waste of money. Particularly since England will be going out on penalties in the first knockout stage.