NBTC to subsidize live broadcast of all World Cup matches on free TVs

[Lite Beer]

NBTC to subsidize live broadcast of all World Cup matches on free TVs

BANGKOK: -- The National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NCTC) is to consider funding the live broadcast of all World Cup matches on free TVs after the Supreme Administrative Court ruled in favor of RS Plc to protect its broadcast right.

The ruling by the supreme court which upheld the earlier ruling by the Central Administrative Court meant that RS is willing to put on air only 22 World Cup matches on free TVs instead of all 64 matches demanded by the NBTC.

NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said there was a possibility to spend money from the Broadcasting and Telecommunication Research and Development Fund for Public Use to compensate RS for making possible the live broadcast of all matchers on free TVs.

He said RS would be invited for discussion on assessing the cost for the broadcast right, all PR and marketing activities it has conducted to promote World Cup, and ways to remedy the company’s business, as well as for audience who have already bought RS’s set-top boxes to view the live broadcast of all World Cup matches.

He said free TV stations both in analog and digital systems would also be invited to the meeting so as to enable live broadcast of all matches on free TVs.

He said that the NBTC would have its own meeting Thursday to consider if the spending of the fund to subsidize the live broadcast would be against the goal of the Fund or not.

If it was against the fund’s goal, then it could not be used to subsidize the live broadcast.

He also revealed that the NBTC has been approached by the National Council for Peace and Order to find ways to return happiness to the Thai people if they could view live broadcast of all World Cup matches, prompting the NBTC to fulfil the junta’s intention.

Earlier after the court’s ruling, the NCPO spokeswoman Col Sirichan Ngathong said at a press conference Wednesday that Channel 5 would give a press conference themed “Channel 5 to return happiness to Thai people with World Cup at Channel 5.

Representatives from the Football Association, sponsors, RS, Channel 5 will take part in the press conference, she said.

Channel 5 director Lt-Gen Chart-udom Tidtasiri assured of Channel 5’s readiness to lead the live broadcast on the HD digital system, while saying RS also wanted to return happiness to the Thai people under the military junta’s policy.

He said 38 matches from the total 64 matches will be aired on free channels.

But latest development at 7.30 p.m. Wednesday said Channel 5 has cancelled the press conference without giving reason but just said it will notify later.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nbtc-subsidize-live-broadcast-world-cup-matches-free-tvs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nbtc-subsidize-live-broadcast-world-cup-matches-free-tvs

-- Thai PBS 2014-06-11

[stoneyboy]

So the masses will watch after all hopefully.

Tell RS to stick it where the sun don't shine.

The World Cup should and will be free to air.

I still believe.

[brewsterbudgen]

So the masses will watch after all hopefully.

Tell RS to stick it where the sun don't shine.

The World Cup should and will be free to air.

I still believe.

That would be nice. But you need to tell that to FIFA not RS! RS have invested a fortune in buying the rights from FIFA. If the junta want to pay RS them, good for them, but blaming RS is ridiculous. FIFA don't give anything away for free!

[stoneyboy]

So the masses will watch after all hopefully.

Tell RS to stick it where the sun don't shine.

The World Cup should and will be free to air.

I still believe.

That would be nice. But you need to tell that to FIFA not RS! RS have invested a fortune in buying the rights from FIFA. If the junta want to pay RS them, good for them, but blaming RS is ridiculous. FIFA don't give anything away for free!

Brownie points and good will on the part of the ruling junta will shine through,I'm certain of that.

[brewsterbudgen]

So the masses will watch after all hopefully.

Tell RS to stick it where the sun don't shine.

The World Cup should and will be free to air.

I still believe.

That would be nice. But you need to tell that to FIFA not RS! RS have invested a fortune in buying the rights from FIFA. If the junta want to pay RS them, good for them, but blaming RS is ridiculous. FIFA don't give anything away for free!

Brownie points and good will on the part of the ruling junta will shine through,I'm certain of that.

Yes, a clever move on their part. I guess they will hope for a return on their investment (and they no doubt have very deep pockets!!). Maybe Thaksin should have offered to pay RS!

[jellydog]

In English ?! If so I bled cash to RS today for nothing. TIT.

[MESmith]

I guess Thailand is going to come to a standstill, if the football mad nation is going to be up all night watching the world cup. Better to arrange a deal to show re-runs or highlights the next day.

[bigbamboo]

So the masses will watch after all hopefully.

Tell RS to stick it where the sun don't shine.

The World Cup should and will be free to air.

I still believe.

That would be nice. But you need to tell that to FIFA not RS! RS have invested a fortune in buying the rights from FIFA. If the junta want to pay RS them, good for them, but blaming RS is ridiculous. FIFA don't give anything away for free!

Brownie points and good will on the part of the ruling junta will shine through,I'm certain of that.

Yes, a clever move on their part. I guess they will hope for a return on their investment (and they no doubt have very deep pockets!!). Maybe Thaksin should have offered to pay RS!

Who?

[worgeordie]

Typical Thai,last minute and a right mess.

regards worgeordie

[marko kok prong]

i hope it is true,everyone should have access to the world game,and before or the yawnites get on here ,if you have ever played you would know what a buzz playing football is.

[Chiengmaijoe]

In English ?! If so I bled cash to RS today for nothing. TIT.

No need to be so harsh on yourself, it doesn't necessarily make you a tit. We are only one day away after all.

[JetsetBkk]

In English ?! If so I bled cash to RS today for nothing. TIT.

I doubt it.

Aww haaaaaawwwww!

[CanInBKK]

i hope it is true,everyone should have access to the world game,and before or the yawnites get on here ,if you have ever played you would know what a buzz playing football is.

I agree, playing ANY sport is fun, even lawn bowling and curling but that doesn't mean WATCHING is any bit more entertaining than listening to elevator music. Ever drive 160kph on the highway? It's exhilarating but watch NASCAR driving at twice the speed and you might fall asleep in the first 5 minutes.

[nbm47]

Why is everybody going on about the World Cup being free viewing to all, whereas in actual it isn't free to most if not all countries. ie. UK where the tournament is covered

by BBC and ITV. Its not free as you have to buy a licence to watch BBC and ITV programmes costing over 150 quid per year. The coverage comes out of their budget so as they don't have to charge extra. In the states its only on pay per view channels (full coverage that is) I think, stand to be corrected on that. You never get owt for nowt as they say in the North of England.

[casualbiker]

In English ?! If so I bled cash to RS today for nothing. TIT.

Why?

if you want English then Thai Expat TV is the way to go.

http://www.thaiexpat.tv/aff.php?aff=151

And you get all the standard UK channels .. it's great!

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[P45Mustang]

Most people in the boonies have satellite dishes and boxes, so don't worry too much about what you might construe as justice.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Or a FIFA free World Cup.

Disappointing? possibly.

[josephbloggs]

Typical Thai,last minute and a right mess.

regards worgeordie

RS secured the exclusive broadcasting rights from FIFA in 2005. Hardly last minute.

And you could have spent the whopping sum of 1,590 baht to buy one of their boxes (no subscription fees) in any one of the last 6 months if not before that. Hardly last minute.

In fact it is only people like you waiting for something to fall in to your hands for free that can be described as being last minute and a right mess. Let's leave out the "typical Thai" slur as that is not worth commenting on.

Do you have any idea how you come across with comments like that? (Clue: it's not well....)

[templedog]

So the masses will watch after all hopefully.

Tell RS to stick it where the sun don't shine.

The World Cup should and will be free to air.

I still believe.

It all seems grand.....except that it really isn't free, is it?

I mean, they said that they will subsidize it, meaning with taxpayer's money,

to air for "free".

That means, I will pay for something that I could give 2 shits about....sorry, no intention to offend

your desired sport, I have mine, too.

But, why should I pay for your desired sport?

It should be free....FREE....of taxpayer's money......PERIOD....FULL STOP.

Then, all would be fair. Yes?

Edited June 11, 2014 by templedog

[P45Mustang]

So the masses will watch after all hopefully.

Tell RS to stick it where the sun don't shine.

The World Cup should and will be free to air.

I still believe.

But Levy at Spurs don't.

So all you can do is beat 'em.

[templedog]

i hope it is true,everyone should have access to the world game,and before or the yawnites get on here ,if you have ever played you would know what a buzz playing football is.

I agree, playing ANY sport is fun, even lawn bowling and curling but that doesn't mean WATCHING is any bit more entertaining than listening to elevator music. Ever drive 160kph on the highway? It's exhilarating but watch NASCAR driving at twice the speed and you might fall asleep in the first 5 minutes.

What is more educational is that the World Cup in any country provides MOST of the income for the top tier in such a society.

The grizzle goes for the poor....and ALL those taxpayer's dollars for all the facilities are just for the top tier. Listen to the disenfranchised of Brazil,

they'll tell you something you might not have heard. The World Cup is a mere spectacle for the masses....fun, I agree, but is it really

fun at the cost of education, and health care, and infrastructure...etc...etc????...Roman Days Again. Gladiators and free bread.

Edited June 11, 2014 by templedog

[Basil B]

Just another sport run by people who are more interested in filling their pockets than the sport.

You have only to look at the 2022 fiasco, even Thaksin could not have pulled off such a crooked deal.

[P45Mustang]

So the masses will watch after all hopefully.

Tell RS to stick it where the sun don't shine.

The World Cup should and will be free to air.

I still believe.

If the masses want a Toyota Vigo, they arrange it.

Same with free rice.

Ask Yingluck.

World Cup football is high price commodity.

[mommysboy]

_{I can see RS's case, and understand why they won through. It's a general point that new laws can not be applied retrospectively.}

_{Equally it has been convention that the tournament is free to air, and will be in the future, difficult to believe they had not foreseen this problem, and so in my mind it is 50/50. Tough luck for me it went against my interests.}

_{But all this could have been easily avoided with a compromise, as might finally happen: hopefully.}

_{For my part, when the verdict was read I went out and bought a Sunbox, and subsequently have not achieved a hook up anyway.}

_{I'm glad I don't always lose out so resoundingly.}

_{Plan C is Thaiexpat.tv, but there will be a real time delay, plus extra cost of course. But it is a nice site, and has ther hallmarks of not being Thai, ie, what you see is what you get.}

_{Only Thailand!}

[BillyBobThai]

I want HBO and NatGeo.

[NongKhaiKid]

I guess Thailand is going to come to a standstill, if the football mad nation is going to be up all night watching the world cup. Better to arrange a deal to show re-runs or highlights the next day.

You are so right. Apart from the games at 2300 and 0300 those at 0500 will make if difficult for some to watch then get to work, school etc on time and the couple of games at 0800 will really cause lots of lateness if not actual absenteeism.

At the time of the 2010 WC in Sth. Africa I was working at a technical school and one morning at assembly the director laid down the law to the students, teachers to take note too, that lateness or missing classes due to late night viewing would not be tolerated as was gambling on the school premises. Appropriate alternative action would be taken against any students involved in gambling outside the school.

Checking attendance was not one of my duties but it was obvious when students were missing and with the rest there were some sorry sights of bleary eyes and fighting to stay awake.

[hullupullo]

Apart from the games at 2300 and 0300 those at 0500 will make if difficult for some to watch then get to work, school etc on time and the couple of games at 0800 will really cause lots of lateness if not actual absenteeism.

05:00 not problem, everybody wake up that time. Easy to watch while eat breakfast and get ready to work. And couple of games at 08:00? Only one and it is sunday morning

[NongKhaiKid]

Apart from the games at 2300 and 0300 those at 0500 will make if difficult for some to watch then get to work, school etc on time and the couple of games at 0800 will really cause lots of lateness if not actual absenteeism.

05:00 not problem, everybody wake up that time. Easy to watch while eat breakfast and get ready to work. And couple of games at 08:00? Only one and it is sunday morning

0500 not a problem ? Maybe not for you but many have a long commute to work and if they watch the full game it will knock their timetable out.

[webfact]

Free World Cup telecast
Watchiranont Thongtep,
Panya Thiosangwan,
Usanee Mongkolporn
The Nation

At prodding from junta, NBTC tells RS to show all matches live on free TV; RS seeks Bt700m compensation

BANGKOK: -- In a bid to live up to its motto of "Bringing happiness back to Thai people", the junta yesterday managed to pull off a deal for the live telecast of all World Cup 2014 matches on free TV, which will bring joy to 22 million households.

Football's premier quadrennial event kicks off in Brazil tomorrow (Bangkok time).

TV5 will televise 38 matches on top of 22 live matches on Channel 7 under a contract between RS and Channel 7, a junta source said.

A press conference titled "TV5 returns happiness to Thai people to join the World Cup spirit" will be held today at Army's TV5 headquarters. Representatives from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), the National Broadcasting and Telecommuni-cations Commission (NBTC), TV5, broadcast rights holder RS, and sponsors will speak on their collaboration, NCPO spokesman Winthai Suvari said.

NBTC secretary-general Thakorn Tantasit said the NCPO was concerned that all Thais should be able to watch the matches live and his agency had been tasked with finding a way out of the situation after the Supreme Administrative Court yesterday rejected the NBTC's appeal against a Central Administrative Court ruling backing RS. The watchdog yesterday called an urgent meeting with RS's high-ranking executives to explore the possibility of enabling all 22 million households to watch all matches.

A source said RS had sought Bt700 million compensation from the NBTC, claiming the firm will lose the opportunity to sell about 1 million of its set-top boxes for the World Cup. RS has already sold 300,000 boxes.

The NBTC is looking at the possibility of tapping into the Research and Development Fund for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Services to compensate RS, but it could risk violating its regulation. The fund is valued at more than Bt20 billion.

Thakorn added that RS would propose its remedy plan and state the damage to its business interests in case all 64 live matches were available on free TV. The company also should provide a sub-licence fee for the football matches if other TV broadcasters wanted to be co-broadcasters. To expand the number of broadcasting channels showing all matches live, the NBTC's broadcasting committee might invite and brainstorm with other digital terrestrial TV operators today.

The broadcasting committee will also meet the committee of the Research and Development Fund today to seek subsidy allocation from this fund. The decision will be announced today.

Supinya Klangnarong, an NBTC commissioner, disagreed with the idea of spending money from the R&D fund to pay for the World Cup telecast rights without careful consideration.

"It is public money. It's not that we have money and wake up one day and spend money to buy anything [we want]. Unless we spend it for disaster cause," she tweeted.

Social-media users yesterday also voiced their disagreement. They said the NBTC should not use taxpayers' money to pay RS for the telecast rights.

The Supreme Administrative Court yesterday ruled that RS' subsidiary, RS International Broadcasting and Sport Management, was protected by the copyright law as the holder of the broadcast rights.

Yesterday's verdict had meant RS would be bound to telecast only 22 of 64 live matches on free TV.


-- The Nation 2014-06-12

[Somtamnication]

Time for the junta to take over RS, just as they have done other places. No populist policies here!!

[chooka]

Guess the Generals want to watch soccer.