NBTC tells RS to show WC on free channels
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National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) yesterday declared that World Cup football in Brazil in June should be shown on free-to-air television channels, warning that any relaxation of the rules could lead to the emergence of more se
RS, which won the World Cup broadcasting rights, had decided to allocate only 22 of 64 World Cup matches for broadcast on free channels, while the remainder could be watched on its “World Cup set-top box” due to be launched on April 1.
According to the NBTC rules, the football World Cup is one of the seven sporting events that must be televised on free TV channels, and yesterday the office reiterated its stand after a board meeting.
“We insisted that RS must broadcast all 64 World Cup matches on free TV. We regard it as a protection of the customers’ right. We want to ensure equality and accessibility to the general public. Many other countries such as England, Australia, Belgium and Malaysia have gone ahead in a similar fashion.
“We considered the matter carefully, talked to all the parties and gave a chance to them, including the rights holders, to explain why they needed to do that. They claimed that they would have contractual problems with Fifa should they televise all 64 matches on free TV. But, when we asked for the relevant documents, they refused to produce them and cooperate with us. Consequently, we enforced the rules strictly for the sake of the people and country,” said NBTC vice president Colonel Natee Sakultarat.
With the Administrative Court yet to rule on RS’s appeal against the NBTC regulations, Natee said his office has already prepared a plan of action.
“We cannot speculate on how the court would rule in the case but we have our plans for three different scenarios. Firstly, if the court rejects RS’s appeal, people will be able to watch all 64 matches on free TV. Secondly, if the court allows RS to broadcast the tournament via its set-top box, we will appeal immediately. Finally, if RS brings a stay order from the court, the ruling of which will be at the end of the tournament, we would appeal to the court to rule on the case on an urgent basis.” Natee insisted that there was no double standard in NBTC’s dealings with RS, saying that unless rules are upheld it could result in the emergence of “Olympics” or “Asian Games” set-top boxes.
