Broadcast regulator considers value of funding World Cup live broadcasts

The research and development fund of Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) could be used to fund the purchase of World Cup live broadcast rights from FIFA, but the cost must be justifiable, said NBTC Acting Secretary General Trairat Viriyasirikul today.

He said that one of the objectives of the fund is to enable public access to TV broadcasts, including live broadcasts of World Cup soccer matches, but the NBTC will have to consider whether the fund can justify the considerable expenditure.

With the Thai national soccer team not qualifying to compete in the final rounds of the World Cup tournament and due to the time difference, which means that most matches will be played overnight (Thailand time), he said that the live broadcasts may not help to stimulate the Thai economy.

He also pointed to the lesson from the World Cup four years ago, when viewers in Thailand experienced broadcast blackouts for some matches, noting that FIFA is very strict about compliance with live broadcast rights and will immediately cut the live signals if there is breach of the terms of the contract.

Trairat said, however, that the NBTC is waiting for an update on the negotiations between Thailand’s Public Relations Department and FIFA on broadcast rights. Then, the NBTC board will meet to make the decision.

PM’s Office Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi said Tuesday that the government is not keen to fund the broadcasts because the FIFA’s charges for live transmission in Thailand are considered excessive.

She said the rights for Thailand, which has a population of about 70 million, are about 20 times higher than a country of about 1.5 billion people, adding that even private companies would be discouraged.