RS demands 308 million baht from NBTC for World Cup live broadcasts

[webfact]

RS demands 308 million baht from NBTC for World Cup live broadcasts



BANGKOK: -- RS Plc is demanding 308 million baht in outstanding payments from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission for the free live broadcasts all the matches of the World Cup soccer tournament in Brazil.

Mr Surachai Chetchotisak, chief executive officer of RS Plc, said Thursday that the company submitted a letter on Monday to ACM Thares Poonsri, the NBTC chairman, seeking his help to speed up the remaining payment from the 427 million baht promised by the NBTC for the free live broadcasts by free TV Channels 5 and 11 throughout the soccer tournament.

RS was awarded the right to broadcast the soccer matches from Fifa in Thailand. It had sold set-top boxes to people who were interested to watch the matches. However, the National Council for Peace and Order mandated that the Thai people should be allowed to watch the games free of charge but the NBTC would have to compensate the company for loss of opportunity to the tune of 427 million baht.

Mr Surachai said the company had refunded some 200,000 customers who bought the set-top boxes in order to view soccer matches and some 30,000 customers had subscribed to watch the soccer matches.

He disclosed that RS earned only 650 million baht from the broadcast rights which were much lower than the anticipated target.

(Pic : file photo)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/rs-demands-308-million-baht-nbtc-world-cup-live-broadcasts/


-- Thai PBS 2014-07-25

[Payboy]

Only 659 million baht? Maybe FIFA should hold a World Cup every year.

[NongKhaiKid]

Only 659 million baht? Maybe FIFA should hold a World Cup every year.

I think you have just been added to Sepp Blatter's Christmas card list

[MaxLee]

Payday...

[ratcatcher]

The irony is that he's managed to keep a straight face.

I just hope he doesn't lose it.

[rickirs]

Keep pressing the issue Mr Surachai Chetchotisak and you'll find yourself a "guest" of the Junta at Villa Barracks. Your company's loss is for the greater good of the nation towards reconcliation and happiness.

[aussieinthailand]

FREE soccer YEAH!!!!! plenty of money for that.

Free health care for the poor, no money for that mate, you taking the p*ss?

[zaphod reborn]

FREE soccer YEAH!!!!! plenty of money for that.

Free health care for the poor, no money for that mate, you taking the p*ss?

308 million baht isn't going to do anything for the Thai healthcare system. The system is beginning to fail due to the weight of trying to administer a healthcare program for 60 million people. It's more than just money - the healthcare system itself can't keep servicing people who show up at the emergency room everytime they catch a cold. The country doesn't have the healthcare resources or infrastructure to continue the program much longer.

To bring this back on topic, companies like RS and CTH need to be run out of business. It isn't good for Thailand and it isn't good for sport that every upstart IPTV network will begin to bid for exclusive coverage rights for sports events that should be carried by the real cable and satellite TV providers. People will end up having to buy a special box for every event that they want to watch. The government has every right to step in as broadcast rights remain within the sound jurisdiction of media regulation.

Edited July 25, 2014 by zaphod reborn

[kriswillems]

deleted

Edited July 25, 2014 by kriswillems

[steelepulse]

If someone isn't paying me the 308 million, I'd be pissed too regardless of political correctness or not. A signed agreement is a signed agreement.

[SoFarAndNear]

Looks like someone forgot to mention that Free Football viewing doens't mean that is it is really FREE This means tax-payers have to pay for it