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SINGAPORE: It's official! Football fans in Singapore will be able to catch the 2010 World Cup action 'live' on their television screens.
Both SingTel and StarHub have secured non-exclusive rights to broadcast 'live' all 64 matches of the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
The good news was delivered by both telcos in their media statements on Friday.
The two telcos are offering subscribers early-bird World Cup football package priced at S$66 on or before 31 May, after which it will cost S$88.
As for MediaCorp, it said it is finalising arrangements with the two telcos to air four key World Cup matches on free-to-air Channel 5 and HD5.
The four matches that will be telecast live with same day encores are: opening match, two semi-finals and finals. Such an arrangement would be subject to FIFA's approval.
SingTel and StarHub subscribers will get to view the matches on two dedicated World Cup channels.
The main World Cup channel, FIFA World Cup Channel 1, will air the 'live' telecast of 56 matches, primetime repeats of the matches, delayed telecast of eight simulcast matches, as well as pre- and post-match features and daily match highlights on all platforms.
FIFA World Cup Channel 2 will offer the 'live' telecast of eight simulcast matches.
StarHub's Chief Operating Officer Tan Tong Hai said: "We negotiated hard for the World Cup rights for over a year, with the best interest of the nation at heart. We are thrilled to be able to bring viewers in Singapore to the heart of the sporting action in South Africa."
SingTel's chief of content and media services, Edward Ying, said that despite the challenging negotiations, "the focus at the heart of it was the football fans in Singapore".
FIFA director of TV, Niclas Ericson, said that he is pleased at the successful conclusion to the negotiations and that "viewers throughout Singapore will be able to celebrate the best that football has to offer".
StarHub and SingTel declined to reveal the cost of their separate bids.
Asked if the S$66 early-bird price is too high compared to what was charged in the last World Cup, both parties said the price was arrived after doing a market survey. As there are some 64 matches to be aired, this will also will translate to just a dollar per match.
"When you say $66 is high, let me just be clear that they pay about a dollar a game to watch in the comfort of their homes. I think it is reasonable. I think they can afford it. It is less than a cup of coffee," said SingTel's Edward Ying.
When asked if the delay in negotiations would result in a loss in advertising revenue, resulting in the costs being passed on to consumers, Mr Ying replied: "The answer is obviously 'no'. We have determined the price, we can't change tomorrow and charge $100 because we don't have advertising dollars.
"We map out what what we think the market could bear was the best price - a dollar a match is hard for Singaporeans to complain, they can watch it 'live' in the comfort of their home. We think that it's the best price. That's why we need a lot of subscribers for us to break even."
On MediaCorp's intentions to broadcast four matches on free-to-air channels, both telcos said they have no objections. Both are now looking into the due process to help realise this.
They said the free-to-air channels would reach out to a bigger audience and this is something to be welcomed.
Turning to the fans, are they willing to fork out S$66 to watch the matches?
"Yeah, it's okay, not too bad. Anything more, I'll say 'forget it. Don't watch it'," said a fan.
"I'm quite happy with the price. Honestly, even slightly higher, I'll still pay for it," said another.
"Well, if soccer is our passion and it's in the blood, then why not?" said a third.
"I don't think I'll be subscribing. If there's a need, then I'll just catch the delayed telecast," said a fourth fan.
- CNA/ir
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