MCOT stalls EPL deal pending further talks with CTH
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MCOT yesterday postponed to July 4 its decision on a Bt480-million sublicensing deal to broadcast three seasons of the English Premier League, saying it needs to negotiate further with CTH, the rights holder.
After MCOT’s monthly board meeting, chairman Sutham Saengpratoom said the board required more information, so a team would be formed to discuss with CTH about selecting proper live matches to be aired by its Modernine TV station.
The team consists of three directors, Surachai Kositsakeewong, Chakkaphan Yomchinda and Yongyuth Chaipromprasith, and executive vice president Thanachai Wongthongsri.
The board also wanted to avoid a confrontation with its labour union, which opposes the plan.
Suvit Mingmol, president of the union, has said the huge investment called for under this deal could cause financial problems for the company.
Sutham said that although a decision had not been made, the board had prepared two options.
The first option is for the company to pay CTH Bt480 million for three seasons. In return, MCOT could televise 17 key live matches per season, air 380 live matches a season via its nationwide radio network, FM99 Active Radio, and organise on-ground activities related to the EPL over the three seasons.
The other is for MCOT to pay CTH Bt210 million but then MCOT must share 35 per cent of revenue from sponsorships with CTH.
CTH chairman Wichai Thongteang said his company would welcome all kinds of offers from MCOT, including the sublicensing of audio-visual broadcasting rights or time and profit sharing from the live broadcasts.
“MCOT will propose a management plan to the company once its management’s final decision is made,” he said.
