TrueVisions denied access to live Euro matches

After a heated debate yesterday involving representatives of TrueVisions and free-TV operators, the NBTC’s broadcasting committee yesterday ordered free-TV operators ThaiTV3, the Royal Thai Army’s TV5 and MCOT’s Modernine TV to air live matches via analogue terrestrial television broadcasting only. It was resolved that to avoid blank screens, TrueVisions will need to find substitute programming for the time slots in which the football matches are broadcast live. 

On May 31, TrueVisions submitted a complaint to the watchdog asserting that its customers were confused and worried that they might not be able to watch the prestigious tournament on Channels 3, 5 and 9 via their set-top boxes, through which the free-TV channels are also provided. The tournament will be aired from today to July 2.

“We consider that the live coverage of Euro 2012 and related TV programming via terrestrial TV broadcasting is not included in public services, because this is a business issue between the selected free-TV broadcasters – namely ThaiTV3, TV5 and ModernineTV – and GMM Grammy, who won all rights to broadcast Euro 2012 in Thailand,” broadcasting committee chairman Natee Sukonrat said yesterday. 

Natee added that under the resolution, Thai audiences would be able to watch the football matches via analogue terrestrial TVs with conventional antennas, including rooftop and TV-top antennas.

The committee also ordered TrueVisions to continue to provide services to subscribers according to its terms and conditions, if needed.

After the afternoon meeting with TrueVisions and the three free-TV operators hosted by the NBTC yesterday, Sompan Charumlimda, executive vice president at TrueVisions, said the company planned to air special TV programmes in place of the football tournament if it does not receive a signal from the free-TV stations.

Meanwhile, GMM Z chief executive officer Thana Thienachariya insisted that the company had acquired exclusive rights to broadcast live coverage of Euro2012 in Thailand. Thus, GMM Z had carefully designed broadcasting windows for the tournament in line with restrictions included in its contract with Uefa, the governing body of European soccer. Under this contract, GMM Z must encrypt the Euro 2012 programmes to prevent satellite-dish owners in neighbouring countries from being able to view them.

For Thai viewers, the company has leased airtime on Channel 3, 5 and 9 to broadcast the matches on a revenue-sharing basis.

In addition to viewing the matches on ThaiTV3, TV5 and Modernine TV via conventional antennas, viewers can watch the tournament via authorised cable and satellite TV operators such as Cable Thai Holding’s network; DTV satellite TV sets and GMM Z set-top boxes.