RS to form joint venture to help finance EPL bid.

Pornpan declined to identify the partner but said it was not involved with the other five companies that reportedly intend to bid for the EPL. These are GMM Grammy, Cable Thai Holding, Malaysia-based Cubic Associated Group, Workpoint Entertainment, and TrueVisions, which is the current holder of the EPL broadcasting rights.

She said four bidders had been invited to submit important documents to the league by the second week of September. The successful bidder is expected to be announced by November.

Apart from the company’s interest in the EPL, RS has already acquired two major soccer broadcasting rights, for Spain ’s La Liga seasons 2012-2014 and Fifa World Cup 2014.

To earn revenue from La Liga broadcasts, the company operates RS Sport La Liga channel to air all 380 matches played, exclusively for RS Sunbox customers.

Chief executive officer Surachai Chetchotisak said that by end of this year, sales of the RS Sunbox, a Bt1,590 satellite-TV set-top box, were expected to reach at least 500,000, with 150,000 sold to this point.

Surachai believes that after the company encrypts the satellite signals of RS Sport La Liga channel tonight, sales could rise and reach the target. Currently, other brands of satellite TV receivers are able to access this exclusive channel.

Surachai added that the company had earmarked about Bt120 million to promote this channel as well as related on-ground activities throughout the first season.

RS also received Bt50 million worth of sponsorship from key partners – Thai Beverage Marketing, Toyota Motor Thailand and Thai Yamaha Motor – to co-promote this exclusive channel and jointly produce special TV programmes on it.

This year, RS targets Bt3.2 billion in revenue. RS Sport La Liga channel is a key factor to drive income as well as four free-to-air satellite TV channels and the company’s music business.