RS warns it might scrap live telecast if court rules in favour of NBTC

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RS warns it might scrap live telecast if court rules in favour of NBTC
Watchiranont Thongtep
The Nation


Two women take selfies with the World Cup Adidas Brazuca ball at Central Lat Phrao Department Store yesterday, two days before the much-awaited football tournament begins. The World Cup ends on July 13.

BANGKOK: -- All 22 million households in the country might face a blackout of the 64 live matches of the World Cup football tournament if the Supreme Administrative Court today rules in favour of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), RS said during the hearing in the court yesterday.

Supan Sueharn, a lawyer for RS, argued that RS International Broadcasting and Sport Management, the holder of the broadcasting rights for the quadrennial football tournament, had got an approval from the sport's governing body, Fifa, to broadcast only 22 live matches via free-TV Channel 7.

In addition, the company had already prepared its business plan to broadcast all 64 live matches via its pay-TV service on "World Cup" channel, which will be broadcast via RS' Sunbox, PSI HD box and the TrueVisions platform. The company has also secured big title sponsors for the broadcast of the tournament.

Supan argued that if the court ordered the company to broadcast all 64 live matches via free TV, the company would face difficulties in terms of its business and might also breach its contract with Fifa. Meanwhile, the company must seek more airtime slots in other free TV channels for screening the remaining live matches, which would mean new investments.

"Faced with these difficulties, the company might decide not to broadcast all live matches of the World Cup, which kicks off Friday, to prevent further damage to its business," Supan added.

'Live telecast for all Thais'

However, Natee Sukonrat, chairman of the NBTC's broadcasting committee, insisted in his testimony that all Thais must have a chance to watch all matches of the World Cup Final live, like they used to in the past.

Natee pointed out that since 1970, all Thais had enjoyed watching live broadcast of all matches of the World Cup. Even during the 2010 World Cup, whose broadcast rights were also held by RS, 22 million households were able to watch live matches via free TV.

A judge at the court suggested that national interest should come first. Therefore, all Thais should be able to watch all 64 live matches of the World Cup final.

However, today the Supreme Administrative Court, which consists of five judges, will rule in the case after the NBTC appealed against the lower court's ruling suspending the NBTC's "must have" rule in the case of the 2014 World Cup matches.

The Central Administrative Court did not shoot down the "must-have" rule altogether, but said it could not be applied retroactively against RS' plan to allow the telecast of only 22 of the 64 World Cup matches on free TV, as RS International Broadcasting and Sport Management had secured the sole broadcast rights before the rule took effect. RS secured the World Cup broadcasting rights on September 12, 2005, while the "must have" rule took effect in January last year.

Last April, RS petitioned the Central Administrative Court to issue an injunction against the rule on the grounds that RS International had secured the World Cup broadcasting rights for Thailand before the rule was enforced.


-- The Nation 2014-06-11

[kurnell]

Who cares. I am a cricket fan. Bring on the Cricket Word Cup

[Robby nz]

Is that another threat to a court ?

[chooka]

They can always read about it in the papers.

[Bluespunk]

'In addition, the company had already prepared its business plan to broadcast all 64 live matches via its pay-TV service on "World Cup" channel, which will be broadcast via RS' Sunbox, PSI HD box and the TrueVisions platform. The company has also secured big title sponsors for the broadcast of the tournament.'

Which is exactly why they will broadcast all 64 games.

[Bluespunk]

Who cares. I am a cricket fan. Bring on the Cricket Word Cup

Yeah, looking forward to that as well, my insomnia has been playing up lately. Just what the doctor ordered.

[Bluespunk]

Is that another threat to a court ?

Certainly is a stupid thing to threaten to do.

[siampolee]

Natee pointed out that since 1970, all Thais had enjoyed watching live broadcast of all matches of the World Cup. Even during the 2010 World Cup, whose broadcast rights were also held by RS, 22 million households were able to watch live matches via free TV.

A judge at the court suggested that national interest should come first. Therefore, all Thais should be able to watch all 64 live matches of the World Cup final.

Perhaps when the Thai's consider sharing all they have regardless of a persons nationality they might find the world a fairer place.

Why should Thailand have a free viewing time concerning this football tournament when all other countries are paying the fee?

Personally I do not like football hence I am not affected, however those who do like football are very badly affected as I might be if it was a sport that I like, i.e. rugby, cricket motor racing, dwile flonking etc.

I attach below a link concerning Dwile Flonking for those who are unfamiliar with this ancient English pass time.

[cloudhopper]

"Must have" free stuff for everyone! It's the law now after all...wasn't that easy?

[bigbamboo]

They can always read about it in the papers.

This is the biggest and most popular sports event in the world, not some local sideshow like Muay Thai or Aussie Rules.

[chooka]

They can always read about it in the papers.

This is the biggest and most popular sports event in the world, not some local sideshow like Muay Thai or Aussie Rules.

Who is Thailand playing?

[bigbamboo]

They can always read about it in the papers.

This is the biggest and most popular sports event in the world, not some local sideshow like Muay Thai or Aussie Rules.

Who is Thailand playing?

Well it won't be Collingwood or Carlton.

Doesn't matter anyway because the Thais support England.

[wealth]

every-time the same drama.

In fact it's all about not wanting to pay for the live-broadcasting rights.

[pinkpanther99]

The World Cup kicks off in two days and the issue of TV rights isn't even sorted out yet. Unbelievable.

[MaxLee]

World Cup 2014 free, Oops, just kidding...

[crazykopite]

The Junta claim they want all those living in Thailand to be very happy in my humble opinion can I suggest that they make all World Cup games free on very channel wether it be free or pay TV

[kurnell]

They can always read about it in the papers.

This is the biggest and most popular sports event in the world, not some local sideshow like Muay Thai or Aussie Rules.

Who is Thailand playing?

Thai chicks qualified. The men's team are too preoccupied with preening themselves according to a coach I met. Says it all really.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[jackh]

Who cares? Football...meh!

[ezzra]

Who cares. I am a cricket fan. Bring on the Cricket Word Cup

I'm more of a synchronized swimming fan? any one fancy a dip?

[thaijoe]

good. turn that sh## off

[klauskunkel]

the "must have" rule

I must have a cup of coffee in the morning, and that's a rule, because I am the ruler...

[chooka]

Natee pointed out that since 1970, all Thais had enjoyed watching live broadcast of all matches of the World Cup. Even during the 2010 World Cup, whose broadcast rights were also held by RS, 22 million households were able to watch live matches via free TV.

A judge at the court suggested that national interest should come first. Therefore, all Thais should be able to watch all 64 live matches of the World Cup final.

Perhaps when the Thai's consider sharing all they have regardless of a persons nationality they might find the world a fairer place.

Why should Thailand have a free viewing time concerning this football tournament when all other countries are paying the fee?

Personally I do not like football hence I am not affected, however those who do like football are very badly affected as I might be if it was a sport that I like, i.e. rugby, cricket motor racing, dwile flonking etc.

I attach below a link concerning Dwile Flonking for those who are unfamiliar with this ancient English pass time.

Definitely looks like more fun and excitement than soccer

[alant]

Natee pointed out that since 1970, all Thais had enjoyed watching live broadcast of all matches of the World Cup. Even during the 2010 World Cup, whose broadcast rights were also held by RS, 22 million households were able to watch live matches via free TV.

A judge at the court suggested that national interest should come first. Therefore, all Thais should be able to watch all 64 live matches of the World Cup final.

Perhaps when the Thai's consider sharing all they have regardless of a persons nationality they might find the world a fairer place.

Why should Thailand have a free viewing time concerning this football tournament when all other countries are paying the fee?

Personally I do not like football hence I am not affected, however those who do like football are very badly affected as I might be if it was a sport that I like, i.e. rugby, cricket motor racing, dwile flonking etc.

I attach below a link concerning Dwile Flonking for those who are unfamiliar with this ancient English pass time.

Free to view would make it the same as the UK who will air via BBC and ITV

[alant]

The problem here is not only the free to view issue but also the broadcast availability. In places like the UK if you have Sky TV you can get (at a cost admittedly) the BT TV coverage as well. Here you don't you have to change the whole s**t.

Compounded by channel 7 deliberately showing football via terrestrial routes and a Thai "movie" via True.

Still, up to them I guess.

[Bluespunk]

Natee pointed out that since 1970, all Thais had enjoyed watching live broadcast of all matches of the World Cup. Even during the 2010 World Cup, whose broadcast rights were also held by RS, 22 million households were able to watch live matches via free TV.

A judge at the court suggested that national interest should come first. Therefore, all Thais should be able to watch all 64 live matches of the World Cup final.

Perhaps when the Thai's consider sharing all they have regardless of a persons nationality they might find the world a fairer place.

Why should Thailand have a free viewing time concerning this football tournament when all other countries are paying the fee?

Personally I do not like football hence I am not affected, however those who do like football are very badly affected as I might be if it was a sport that I like, i.e. rugby, cricket motor racing, dwile flonking etc.

I attach below a link concerning Dwile Flonking for those who are unfamiliar with this ancient English pass time.

Definitely looks like more fun and excitement than soccer

Football.

[malt25]

They can always read about it in the papers.

This is the biggest and most popular sports event in the world, not some local sideshow like Muay Thai or Aussie Rules.

So ! There's so much round ball on Thai TV now that it's just another game. Not everyone was born with the round ball gene.

[HeavyDrinker]

They can always read about it in the papers.

This is the biggest and most popular sports event in the world, not some local sideshow like Muay Thai or Aussie Rules.

So ! There's so much round ball on Thai TV now that it's just another game. Not everyone was born with the round ball gene.

Must be a Yank or a Rugger puff.

This is the World Cup, he only true Global Sporting event, and Thailand yet again are making a total arse of the simple task of getting it on TV. Lets hope they never find the bribe money to actually stage the event....

[Mackstask]

Who cares? Football...meh!

Your Sad!!! You must be American.

[seajae]

they are full of sh*t, its simply a matter of how much money they think they can make from it and want to score a motza, if they refuse to broadcast throw them in jail with the reds and yellows, they will crap themselves when they realize no one gives a sh*t about them or their soccer

[jellydog]

they are full of sh*t, its simply a matter of how much money they think they can make from it and want to score a motza, if they refuse to broadcast throw them in jail with the reds and yellows, they will crap themselves when they realize no one gives a sh*t about them or their soccer

So RS is going to take their marbles and run home ? Time for the junta to break out the torture chamber.