RS warned to stop selling set-top boxes for World Cup soccer matches

[Lite Beer]

RS warned to stop selling set-top boxes for World Cup soccer matches

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has decided to ask the Central Administrative Court to take actions against K Master Company, an affiliate of RS Group, for marketing set-top boxes for viewing soccer matches of the final round of World Cup.

NBTC chair Colonel Nathee Sakolrat said today that the marketing of the set-top boxes by K Master constituted a violation of the Central Administrative Court’s recent ruling that all the 64 World Cup soccer matches must be broadcast vie free TV stations in accordance with the “must have” regulation.

In its marketing, K Master claimed that all the soccer matches could only be viewed through the installation of set-top boxes and only 22 matches were to be broadcast via free TV system.

Earlier RS International, the concessionaire of the live broadcast of World Cup soccer matches, asked the Central Administrative Court to temporarily suspend the “must have” regulation but the court dismissed the petition.

Colonel Nathee further said that a warning would be served on K Master and RS International to stop the marketing of the set-top boxes failing that the companies may have their licenses revoked and may be fined up to five million baht.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/rs-warned-stop-selling-set-top-boxes-world-cup-soccer-matches/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rs-warned-stop-selling-set-top-boxes-world-cup-soccer-matches

-- Thai PBS 2014-03-17

[webfact]

FIFA WORLD CUP
Massive fines unless World Cup broadcast free : NBTC
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- RS, Thailand's broadcasting right holders for this summer's Fifa World Cup, runs the risk of being fined up to Bt17.3million, should the company fail to allow all 64 matches from Brazil to be shown on free TV, the Office of The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) warned yesterday.

NBTC vice chairman Natee Sukonrat said RS cannot screen World Cup matches through its new set-top box without them being simultaneously broadcast on free TV. He cited a Central Administrative Court decision in November that denied RS's appeal to exclude the soccer World Cup from the seven sporting events which must be televised by free TV as per NBTC regulations.

"Should RS or other companies advertise that people could watch more World Cup games via its set-top box than free TV, it would be deemed as an infringement. The punishment ranges from an initial fine of Bt5 million plus Bt100,000 each day and the licence of offending party rescinded.

"Since the court has already turned down RS appeal, it means the rules remain in effect until the court rules otherwise. So, we want to warn the company that it cannot have more World Cup games televised on its box," said Natee.

If RS goes ahead with its plan to give only 22 matches to free TV, it would cost them an estimated Bt8.2 million in fines for the whole period of the tournament between June 12 and July 13. But if authorities penalise the company from the date when the World Cup box goes on sales on April 1, the company would receive additional fines totalling Bt9.1 million, meaning RS would likely be fined Bt17.3 in total.


-- The Nation 2014-03-18

[PepperMe]

Fines?

They will go ahead and sell the boxes and will be happy to pay those fines, considering the potential hundreds of millions they will make if they force the games exclusively through their boxes.

I wonder how much RS have had to pay for these rights in the first place?

Obviously they need to make a return... But surely they can make money selling to the various channels and then a massive amount on all the advertising and Thai sponsorship deals which are much more expensive for advertisers when broadcast to a much wider audience.

[cacruden]

Fines are not the big punishment, and would not deter them..... but this part might "and the licence of offending party rescinded." - meaning out of business.

[sprq]

Note to Thai PBS: the proper term is the World Cup Finals, not the "final round of the World Cup".

[digibum]

I wonder how much RS had to pay for the free advertising.

[DLP]

Sounds good to me not having to buy yet another box just to watch the world cup.

[HooHaa]

free broadcast means thai commentary. not good.

[newatthis]

I hope the wife doesn't get too upset if all this free footie disturbs her soapie viewing. Could be hell to live with.