RS, PSI jointly offer new receiver for international soccer matches
Leading music and entertainment firm RS has entered a partnership with PSI Holdings, the country's largest manufacturer and distributor of satellite TV set-top boxes and dishes, to introduce a new smart satellite receiver bundled with broadcasts of Spain'
Under this partnership, the companies aim to sell a million PSI O2 Digital set-top boxes, generating more than Bt2 billion in revenue, in the first year.
RS chief executive officer Surachai Chetchotisak yesterday described the partnership as a “perfect marriage”.
The CEO added that RS was one of the country’s foremost content providers, having secured the rights to broadcast 380 live La Liga matches for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons and 64 live matches of the 20th Fifa (International Federation of Association Football) World Cup to be held in Brazil. Meanwhile, the 20-year-old PSI Holdings has maintained its position as the largest C-band satellite TV platform provider, with more than 12 million TV dishes and 35 local dealers across the country.
As of next month, viewers will be able to watch these soccer matches on Sun Channel along with other entertainment channels, including Channel 8, Channel 6, Workpoint TV, PSI Channel and Shop at Home Channel, in high definition (HD) via the PSI O2 Digital set-top box. Customers can also access free-to-air satellite TV channels via this box. Pornpan Techarungchaikul, chief operating officer of RS, said that with HD service and new cutting-edge set-top boxes, the company aimed to gain 100,000 new pay-TV subscribers.
The previous La Liga season saw sales of 300,000 Sunboxes and satellite TV receivers. This contributed about Bt200 million in revenue from subscriptions. Pornpan believes that about 80 per cent of those Sunbox buyers will re-subscribe for the coming season.
The company has granted TrueVisions a sub-licence to broadcast its Sun Channel La Liga matches. It expects this sub-licensing deal and fees from existing customers and new subscribers will create Bt800 million in revenue.
Next year, RS will broadcast the Fifa World Cup from June 12 to July 13. Only 22 of the total 64 live matches will be aired on a free TV channel. This Brazil soccer tournament is expected to generate Bt700 million for the company, mainly from sponsorships.
RS expects a 20-per-cent surge in revenue to Bt4 billion from last year. Satellite TV is a key driver.
PSI Holdings CEO Somporn Teerachanapong said that in the first year, sales of the new set-top box were expected to reach at least 1 million, creating more than Bt2 billion in revenue. Of total income, 30 per cent will be from new buyers.
PSI aims to replace all 12 million old-version set-top boxes already in the market with the new one within four years. RS and PSI will share this sales revenue.
