NBTC urged to frame rules on telecast for free TV

Holders of exclusive broadcast rights to international sports tournaments want the regulator to draw up rules to ensure fair play, as they believe that they should control which platforms can air the events.

If they agree to share the foreign content with terrestrial free-TV channels, the shows should be viewable by terrestrial TV signal devices only.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) will soon set the standard practice for free TV to ensure that all viewers, no matter their signal-receiving platform, can always access some copyrighted programmes.

Thana Thienachariya, CEO of GMM Z, said last week that the copyrighted programmes should run on authorised channels only. If the rights holders allow those programmes to be shown on free TV, the programmes should be receivable via the free TV stations’ devices only, not other devices.

Pay TV and also cable and satellite TV carry free-to-air TV channels.

Besides Euro 2012, GMM Z has won the local distribution rights to world-class soccer tournaments such as the Japanese national soccer league, J League Division 1, for five years to 2017; Germany’s Bundesliga for three seasons starting this year; and three seasons of Carling Cup matches starting in September.

Pornpan Techarungchaikul, chief operating officer of RS, said the media powerhouse wants the new broadcasting guidelines to follow international standards, which means all viewers can have equal access to live TV programmes designed for free TV. But if the programmes are exclusively for pay-TV networks, customers must pay to view them.

She cited the example of the football’s world governing body Fifa, which has an even greater responsibility to reach out and touch the world by using football as a symbol of hope and integration. She added that he believes Fifa intends this world football tournament to reach as big a global audience as possible.

On the other hand, because of business reasons, companies that secured media rights could be allowed to select some soccer matches for each authorised broadcasting window for its viewers, but highlighted matches such as first and final rounds must be reached by 95 per cent of viewers in each country, she said.

After landing the rights to Spain’s La Liga matches for the 2012 to 2015 seasons, the leading music and entertainment company will kick off its first pay-TV service across multiple platforms, including Channel 7 and the mobile devices of Total Access Communication’s (DTAC) network. The matches will also be aired on the satellite platforms of DTV and PSI Holding. The pay-TV channel will commence live coverage of Spanish soccer in August.