Viewers In Suspense As UEFA EURO 2012 Talks Drag On

[webfact]

Viewers in suspense as Euro talks drag on

Usanee Mongkolporn

The Nation

Polish supporters wait for the start of the opening match of the UEFA EURO 2012 soccer championship in group A between Poland and Greece at the National Stadium in Warsaw, Poland, 08 June 2012. EPA/RADEK PIETRUSZKA

BANGKOK: -- TrueVisions subscribers to miss opening matches; negotiations with GMM 'to conclude by Tuesday'

TrueVisions and GMM Grammy last night made a last-ditch effort to enable TrueVisions subscribers to view the Euro 2012 soccer tournament on free-TV channels via their set-top boxes.

True Group chief executive officer Suphachai Chearavanont and GMM chairman Paiboon Damrongchaitham had yet to finish negotiations via mobile phone, but a source at TrueVisions said they expected "good news" for TrueVisions viewers. The talks included a possible barter deal between the two companies.

The parties were striving to finish the talks before the first match was to kick off at 11pm last night, the source said.

A statement from TrueVisions later said negotiations are expected to be concluded by Tuesday.

Sources said GMM is worried that its set-top boxes would become redundant and sales would be affected if TrueVisions subscribers can view the Euro matches via their existing TrueVisions set-top boxes.

Major pay-TV operator TrueVisions on May 31 said its subscribers were confused about whether they could view the tournament matches live on channels 3, 5 and 9 via their set-top boxes, through which they can normally view all free-TV channels' programmes. The tournament started yesterday and ends on July 2.

GMM Grammy's content provider, GMM Z, holds the rights to broadcast the tournament in Thailand. The broadcast can be accessed only by those who own its set-top boxes, a conventional TV antenna or a satellite dish of its partner, DTV Service. Subscribers of local cable-TV operators that are members of Cable Thai Holding (CTH) can also view the matches. Those who view free TV via other equipment will see their TV screen go blank during the matches.

TrueVisions asked the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to look into the matter. The watchdog then ordered TrueVisions to enable its subscribers to view free-TV programmes carried as part of its paid service on the usual basis.

TrueVisions and GMM had been in talks on a possible collaboration using Grammy's Euro tournament broadcasting rights in the past month, but they could not reach a deal.

TrueVisions has around 2 million household subscribers out of the total 20 million households in Thailand. Most of its subscribers are medium- to high-income people, which are the target audiences for the Euro tournament.

The head of the Foundation for Consumers, Saree Ongsomwang, yesterday submitted a letter to the NBTC seeking to protect the rights of satellite TV viewers who are not TrueVisions subscribers, saying they should also be able to view the matches. She said these viewers account for 50 per cent of the total viewership in Thailand. NBTC broadcasting committee chairman Natee Sukonrat said he would forward the case to be considered by his board next week.

While NBTC can call in representatives of TrueVisions and the free-TV operators to seek ways out of the problem, as they fall under its regulations, it cannot call in GMM Z or satellite-dish providers for talks.

The NBTC, which has only been operating for six months, speedily issued regulations to put the broadcasting sector in order. Cable and satellite TV operators flourished in the several years before the NBTC was established.

Demand for TV antennas has spiked ahead of Euro 2012. Samart Engineering, a major manufacturer and distributor of antennas and satellite receivers, which has sold 300,000 antennas over the past three months.

-- The Nation 2012-06-09

[JayBangkok]

Negotiating via mobile phone?

I hope they weren't using True or they would get frequent disconnects.

[LuckyLew]

Pathetic

[noitom]

When reading the headline, it easy to mistakenly assume that the Thai newspaper had actually run a story about something relating to the European talks about Greece and Spain and the economy. Thai newspapers rarely if ever take notice about anything that's not of a Thai nature. What's astonishing is how little Thais understand about how these events affect Thailand.

[lujanit]

BANGKOK: -- TrueVisions subscribers to miss opening matches; negotiations with GMM 'to conclude by Tuesday'

Which Tuesday?????????????? What year ????????????????

[rkidlad]

It's as if they couldn't give a f*** about the little man who just wants to watch some decent football. It's as if they just wanna make money and they don't care how. Oh, wait a minute. This is standard business practice in Thailand. It happens in the west, too? Well at least in the west they don't tell me we're all brothers and sisters who love each other.

[Payboy]

True Group chief executive officer Suphachai Chearavanont and GMM chairman Paiboon Damrongchaitham had yet to finish negotiations via mobile phone

Here's hoping they're not on a True Move 3G H signal.

[chooka]

It's as if they couldn't give a f*** about the little man who just wants to watch some decent football. It's as if they just wanna make money and they don't care how. Oh, wait a minute. This is standard business practice in Thailand. It happens in the west, too? Well at least in the west they don't tell me we're all brothers and sisters who love each other.

I get the decent football every week on the Australia Network, soccer doesn't interest me so ha ha just kidding, oh off the watch real football now.

[Pseudolus]

Come on True - just up the extortion and bribery payments to the levels requested and get a move on. Both companies are dreamers and are only squaring off to maximise executives pockets. Just get a move on; We all know it will happen just as they did for the RWC. Bunch of Jokers; no wonder both companies are land locked to Thailand; so immature, so clueless, so introvert they would be ripped to shreds if some of the real media companies were allowed to enter the market.

[animatic]

BANGKOK: -- TrueVisions subscribers to miss opening matches; negotiations with GMM 'to conclude by Tuesday'

Which Tuesday?????????????? What year ????????????????

True us trying to get it and not pay for it, nothing more nothing less.

[redsox44]

Now all those troubled TRUE customers who laughed at those who lost ASN to GMMZ, NFL, NHL ect. now realise what it feels like. In "True" fashion they only regard the Baht and are unwilling to pony up money which should be paid if they want to broadcast programming which was purchased by another. A continuing example of greed on True's part. Personally I hope True looses out so lines of customers begin to cancel their subscriptions to a way over priced product.

For years people complained that Thailand needed another company with large sums of money to put some sence into True's supposed marketing plan. Now that that day has come everyone seems to be angry at GMMZ who asked True to join in obtaining the rights to EURO 2012 but refused. Nuff said.....

[animatic]

Now all those troubled TRUE customers who laughed at those who lost ASN to GMMZ, NFL, NHL ect. now realise what it feels like. In "True" fashion they only regard the Baht and are unwilling to pony up money which should be paid if they want to broadcast programming which was purchased by another. A continuing example of greed on True's part. Personally I hope True looses out so lines of customers begin to cancel their subscriptions to a way over priced product.

For years people complained that Thailand needed another company with large sums of money to put some sence into True's supposed marketing plan. Now that that day has come everyone seems to be angry at GMMZ who asked True to join in obtaining the rights to EURO 2012 but refused. Nuff said.....

Not angry at Grammy, but at True for not making a deal earlier.

I agree with all the ASN NFL NHL loss too. I have a GMM Sky box, but also True.

UFC moved to Fox so it's still on True, but they raise prices,

force you to have their boxes as rentals or not buy and owns,

and then lose or drop services that we believe that we have paid for.

But the price always goes up...

[volk666]

This is the first time free to air programming in Thailand has been blocked on the basis of copyright or hardware used for transmission. True has been caught off guard and Grammy seems to be winning at the moment while millions of people have been forced to cough up money to watch free TV.

Dawn of new age. Way to introduce itself, Grammy.

[HaraldVesterheim]

The solution is a good old fashion TABLE ANTENNA

[bigbamboo]

No real surprise to anyone who has had to put up with UBC/True Visions antics over the years to see them messing their customers around yet again whether it's down to greed or ineptitude or both.

Edited June 9, 2012 by bigbamboo

[JulesMad]

I am ever so happy that I do not like football Although it is great to watch people that watch it

Have fun watching (May the best team win, as long as they are Dutch )

[2000]

There are many comments on this issue, but I have yet to see any fact presented that details what the present situation actually is. Who is blocking the Euro 2012 signal that goes from Grammy via “the free-TV operators” to True? I doubt it is True, as I cannot see what they would gain out of such a move, especially if they already have an obligation, in their license from NBTC, to let “the free-TV operators” just pass through their boxes.

The only two agreements I’ve seen mentioned on this issue are:

1. Grammy has the rights to distribute the Euro 2012 signal in Thailand. They can do this via their own boxes.

2. Grammy has given “the free-TV operators” a license to distribute the signal, and as compensation there is some kind of revenue sharing deal. Fair enough.

Anyone knows the real facts?

If so, it will be easier to comment.

[Payboy]

The solution is a good old fashion TABLE ANTENNA

If you want to see how football is played in the middle of a snowstorm, yes.

[crazykopite]

As a true vision subscriber for more than 6 years I called the company today Saturday on 027252525 to ask what the hell was going on , a very nice and polite lady apologised for the situation and stated that True hoped to have the situation resolved by Tuesday, Her explanation appeared to be very well rehearsed and I have to assume that many before me had complained. unfortunately I live out in the sticks and do not have a phone line anywhere near me. My solution for the England game on Monday is for my son to place his laptop in front of his UK TV and skype it over to me, having already done a test run it seems to be a good solution for the short term

[Orac]

There seem to be a lot of fingers pointing at True and a few at GMM but I assume there was some sort of written deal between the free to airs and GMM about who they could supply the signal to which is the crux of the argument and if the free to airs signed an agreement that contradicted a seperate agreement they already had with True then it is the free to airs that are responsible for this debacle.

[brewsterbudgen]

No real surprise to anyone who has had to put up with UBC/True Visions antics over the years to see them messing their customers around yet again whether it's down to greed or ineptitude or both.

So do you think True should provide a free service and just cover programmes you're interested in?

The selling and buying of sports broadcasting rights is a greedy business. Blame the capitalist sytem or UEFA, but it's hardly True's or Grammy's fault.

[phosphorescent]

I just saw true's explaination for this whole mess on a message at the bottom of the tv screen. After seeing their side of things, I can understand how this happend and don't put all the balme with them.

[thaicbr]

I just saw true's explaination for this whole mess on a message at the bottom of the tv screen. After seeing their side of things, I can understand how this happend and don't put all the balme with them.

Why? What did they say.

Those nasty people at GMM won't share their sweets

Sent from my GT-P1010 using Thaivisa Connect App

[arkom]

I just saw true's explaination for this whole mess on a message at the bottom of the tv screen. After seeing their side of things, I can understand how this happend and don't put all the balme with them.

Why? What did they say.

Those nasty people at GMM won't share their sweets

Sent from my GT-P1010 using Thaivisa Connect App

Its said True didn't enter negotiations with GMM because some matches would be shown on free TV and didn't expect GMM to block the signal.

They also explained that even though True holds the right to EPL, some games are still shown on free TV and they do not block the signal as it is broadcast on free TV.

Because of this True said they didn't think GMM would block the signal as ch 3, 5 and 9 are free.

[KKvampire]

It's as if they couldn't give a f*** about the little man who just wants to watch some decent football. It's as if they just wanna make money and they don't care how. Oh, wait a minute. This is standard business practice in Thailand. It happens in the west, too? Well at least in the west they don't tell me we're all brothers and sisters who love each other.

So True (pun intended), Thai businesses dont give a flying <deleted> about the Thai people , One of the reasons customer service sucks in the country. And with regard to True, I wouldnt EVER patronism their business after experiencing it some 3 years ago

Edited June 9, 2012 by KKvampire

[thaiexpattv]

As a true vision subscriber for more than 6 years I called the company today Saturday on 027252525 to ask what the hell was going on , a very nice and polite lady apologised for the situation and stated that True hoped to have the situation resolved by Tuesday, Her explanation appeared to be very well rehearsed and I have to assume that many before me had complained. unfortunately I live out in the sticks and do not have a phone line anywhere near me. My solution for the England game on Monday is for my son to place his laptop in front of his UK TV and skype it over to me, having already done a test run it seems to be a good solution for the short term

Hi crazykopite,

We have a better solution for you. Click on our advert on the right hand side tomorrow and sign up for a free 2 day trial. It will get you through the first game in very good quality. Then take or leave an additional package from there. No payment needed initially.

Hope you enjoy the match!

[reenatinnakor]

As a true vision subscriber for more than 6 years I called the company today Saturday on 027252525 to ask what the hell was going on , a very nice and polite lady apologised for the situation and stated that True hoped to have the situation resolved by Tuesday, Her explanation appeared to be very well rehearsed and I have to assume that many before me had complained. unfortunately I live out in the sticks and do not have a phone line anywhere near me. My solution for the England game on Monday is for my son to place his laptop in front of his UK TV and skype it over to me, having already done a test run it seems to be a good solution for the short term

Watched the games via an old CRT set attached to an aerial. Got a good signal though on Ch3. Only drawback is having to swat all the mosquitoes with the zapper whilst watching since the aerial is nowhere near our bedroom.

For those of you with decent internet connection you just watch it on www.myp2p.pe or www.wiziwig.tv. For unlucky people like me stuck in the countryside I will just have to wait til Tuesday and endure being attacked by mossies. Been a True subscriber for 3 years....1st time have had a problem. Does anyone know what the Olympics deal will be? Will it be covered on Thai terrestrial also?

[tragickingdom]

The need a few hours to conclude the talks, talks they should have concluded before and not after the tournament had started. Unfortunately True and Grammy wipe their behind with their subscribers and advertisers as they refuse to work on Saturday and Sunday (Maybe a missionary kind of thing, who knows?). On Monday they have no time to go to their lawyer because he is busy robbing other clients. The first available date is in that case Tuesday. By which the National Broadcast authority has hopefully slept the maximum fine of 5 million baht per day on True and the free to air broadcasters alike. There is a nice bonus for Grammy though, they are selling their setup boxes like hot cakes. Good for True because they can slap Grammy in return for using their satellite dishes with Grammy or DTV boxes.

The bottom-line is that Thai consumers are nothing more than walking wallets for the businesses catering to them. Have a look at Wikipedia which artists Grammy is ripping off with a 3 to 4% royalty on their records and than do not buy them.

[brewsterbudgen]

The need a few hours to conclude the talks, talks they should have concluded before and not after the tournament had started. Unfortunately True and Grammy wipe their behind with their subscribers and advertisers as they refuse to work on Saturday and Sunday (Maybe a missionary kind of thing, who knows?). On Monday they have no time to go to their lawyer because he is busy robbing other clients. The first available date is in that case Tuesday. By which the National Broadcast authority has hopefully slept the maximum fine of 5 million baht per day on True and the free to air broadcasters alike. There is a nice bonus for Grammy though, they are selling their setup boxes like hot cakes. Good for True because they can slap Grammy in return for using their satellite dishes with Grammy or DTV boxes.

The bottom-line is that Thai consumers are nothing more than walking wallets for the businesses catering to them. Have a look at Wikipedia which artists Grammy is ripping off with a 3 to 4% royalty on their records and than do not buy them.

Is it any different anywhere else? Like it or not, the system is that sports rights are bought by the highest bidder and then whoever buys them get do what they want to recoup their investment.

I understand that the Olympics is different and the IOC insists it must be "free-to-air".

Edited June 9, 2012 by brewsterbudgen

[Lite Beer]

EURO 2012

TrueVisions extends apology to subscribers

The Nation June 10,

BANGKOK: -- TrueVisions on Saturday issued a statement to apologise to subscribers who are denied access to the Euro 2012 live broadcasting through free TV channels - 3, 5 and 9.

It said that as the free TV operators’ rebroadcasting rights will give access only to those viewing through the terrestrial TV signal and antennas.

"TrueVisions is disappointed with the limitation, as this never happened to free TV viewers before. In the past, as the authorised broadcaster of English Premier League, TrueVisions has never limited the rebroadcasting on free TV channels, as that is a public channel open to all," it said in the statement.

Against the statement of GMM Z, the authorised broadcaster of Euro 2012, that said TrueVisions never started a negotiation, the cable TV network operator said that it made no action out of the understanding that free TV signals would remain free to all as in the past.

It also urged the government sector and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission to clarify this issue and set a guideline on the rebroadcasting of free TV signals.

TrueVisions added at the end that it is in the middle of negotiation with GMM Z and other parties, with the result expected early next week.

Euro 2012 started on Friday, without rebroadcasting signal from free TV channels.

-- The Nation 2012-06-10