Workpoint joins bid war for EPL rights
Along with big entertainment companies and broadcasters, leading variety and game-show production house Workpoint Entertainment has also joined the bid for the rights to broadcast matches of the English Premier League, the leading soccer league in Britain
Panya said his company had submitted the request to the EPL in an effort to drive revenue in the future.
He declined to comment on whether it would bid alone or jointly with partners. But he said the company was keeping its options open.
Workpoint has enough capital to acquire the rights, Panya said.
Five other key companies have expressed keen interest in clinching the EPL broadcasting rights: GMM Grammy, RS, Cable Thai Holding, Malaysia-based Cubic Associates Group, and TrueVisions, the current rights holder. EPL is considered one of the top leagues by Thai soccer fans.
Last month, officials from the league visited Thailand to give a presentation for prospective bidders for the rights to broadcast the 2013-2015 seasons.
During each season, the rights holder can offer live coverage of all 380 matches.
The winner of the bid is expected to be announced by the end of September.
Workpoint made consolidated net profit in the second quarter of Bt137.66 million, decreasing by Bt8.67 million or 6 per cent from Bt146.33 million in the same period last year. It posted revenue of Bt515.60 million, a decrease by Bt85.53 million or 14 per cent from Bt601.13 million in the second quarter of 2011.
