2014年1月31日星期五
2014年1月27日星期一
Telcos still battling to air World Cup
Telcos still battling to air World Cup
Cable-TV providers SingTel and StarHub told MyPaper that they are still locked in negotiations with Fifa, the sport's world governing body. (FILE PHOTO)
WITH less than five months to go before the World Cup kicks off in Brazil, Singapore's race to bag television rights for the tournament could head into extra time.
At least 208 territories worldwide have already secured the rights, but cable-TV providers SingTel and StarHub told MyPaper that they are still locked in negotiations with Fifa, the sport's world governing body.
Experts and fans are fearing a replay of the 2010 World Cup fiasco, when Singapore's TV deal was reached just 35 days before the first match in South Africa.
Then, Singapore subscribers paid $70 (early-bird price, with GST) each to watch all 64 matches - a four-fold increase from 2006.
The signs are ominous this year.
StarHub has been in talks with Fifa since 2012, and Ms Lee Soo Hui, head of the telco's media-business unit, said several factors have made negotiations "very challenging".
Cost is an obvious stumbling block, and Ms Lee noted that prices for sports content are soaring worldwide.
Time is not on Singapore's side either. Due to the time difference in Brazil, most of the matches for the June 12-July 13 tournament will be played in the wee hours of the morning, making it difficult to attract viewers.
As a result, StarHub "does not expect a strong response from sponsors and advertisers", who can help to defray the cost of the TV rights.
The telco has promised to "acquire the content at a sensible rate, so as to keep the World Cup affordable for the majority of Singapore viewers".
But market forces are at work.
In 2010, SingTel and StarHub reportedly paid about $20 million for the rights, about half of what Fifa was asking for.
In contrast, Singapore's World Cup TV rights were reportedly purchased for around US$5 million (about S$6 million) in 2006.
The price hike is down to the stiff competition between SingTel and StarHub in recent years, said Mr Vivek Couto, executive director at Media Partners Asia.
The wildcard this year will be the Republic's cross-carriage law, which states that pay-TV operators must share exclusive content with one another. This law will further complicate negotiations, said Mr Couto.
A case in point was last year's wrangle over TV rights for the English Premier League. SingTel insisted it did not sign an exclusive deal for the rights, but was still ordered by the Media Development Authority of Singapore to share its 2013-2016 Premier League content with StarHub.
Singapore's other telco, M1, which also has a pay-TV service, said it will not bid for this year's World Cup rights, but is exploring the option of cross-carrying the content.
Meanwhile, tech blogger Alfred Siew believes it is in the telcos' interests to sew up a deal as soon as possible. This will give them more lead time to secure sponsors and come up with more attractive packages for fans.
Said football fan and undergraduate Wei De Wong, 21: "If the rumours are true and if they are going to increase the price again, it will be unacceptable.
"I will just watch it at a friend's house or at a pub. I might even share the subscription costs with my friend."
~News courtesy of My Paper~
Cable-TV providers SingTel and StarHub told MyPaper that they are still locked in negotiations with Fifa, the sport's world governing body. (FILE PHOTO)
WITH less than five months to go before the World Cup kicks off in Brazil, Singapore's race to bag television rights for the tournament could head into extra time.
At least 208 territories worldwide have already secured the rights, but cable-TV providers SingTel and StarHub told MyPaper that they are still locked in negotiations with Fifa, the sport's world governing body.
Experts and fans are fearing a replay of the 2010 World Cup fiasco, when Singapore's TV deal was reached just 35 days before the first match in South Africa.
Then, Singapore subscribers paid $70 (early-bird price, with GST) each to watch all 64 matches - a four-fold increase from 2006.
The signs are ominous this year.
StarHub has been in talks with Fifa since 2012, and Ms Lee Soo Hui, head of the telco's media-business unit, said several factors have made negotiations "very challenging".
Cost is an obvious stumbling block, and Ms Lee noted that prices for sports content are soaring worldwide.
Time is not on Singapore's side either. Due to the time difference in Brazil, most of the matches for the June 12-July 13 tournament will be played in the wee hours of the morning, making it difficult to attract viewers.
As a result, StarHub "does not expect a strong response from sponsors and advertisers", who can help to defray the cost of the TV rights.
The telco has promised to "acquire the content at a sensible rate, so as to keep the World Cup affordable for the majority of Singapore viewers".
But market forces are at work.
In 2010, SingTel and StarHub reportedly paid about $20 million for the rights, about half of what Fifa was asking for.
In contrast, Singapore's World Cup TV rights were reportedly purchased for around US$5 million (about S$6 million) in 2006.
The price hike is down to the stiff competition between SingTel and StarHub in recent years, said Mr Vivek Couto, executive director at Media Partners Asia.
The wildcard this year will be the Republic's cross-carriage law, which states that pay-TV operators must share exclusive content with one another. This law will further complicate negotiations, said Mr Couto.
A case in point was last year's wrangle over TV rights for the English Premier League. SingTel insisted it did not sign an exclusive deal for the rights, but was still ordered by the Media Development Authority of Singapore to share its 2013-2016 Premier League content with StarHub.
Singapore's other telco, M1, which also has a pay-TV service, said it will not bid for this year's World Cup rights, but is exploring the option of cross-carrying the content.
Meanwhile, tech blogger Alfred Siew believes it is in the telcos' interests to sew up a deal as soon as possible. This will give them more lead time to secure sponsors and come up with more attractive packages for fans.
Said football fan and undergraduate Wei De Wong, 21: "If the rumours are true and if they are going to increase the price again, it will be unacceptable.
"I will just watch it at a friend's house or at a pub. I might even share the subscription costs with my friend."
~News courtesy of My Paper~
2014年1月25日星期六
2014年1月18日星期六
2014年1月14日星期二
Cheaper LionsXII season ticket prices
Cheaper LionsXII season ticket prices
Season ticket prices for LionsXII home games have been slashed for the upcoming Malaysia Super League campaign.
All seating categories are now S$8 cheaper, which translates to a reduction of more than eight per cent.
A Grandstand season ticket, which is the most expensive, now costs S$143.
This was revealed at a media event on Tuesday morning to unveil a new-look LionsXII squad, ahead of the season opener away to Pahang on Friday.
Plans are also afoot to have several of the Lions' home matches played at the Singapore Sports Hub, which is set to be completed in about three months.
Videos promoting the team will also be shown on StarHub television, Golden Village cinemas, Singapore Sports Council platforms and digital display boards across the island.
President of the Football Association of Singapore, Zainudin Nordin, says the idea is to continue having fans onside.
Mr Zainudin said: "At the end of the day we believe that this is a team for the fans. We want the support from as many people as possible.
"And that's the reason why the people are working behind the scenes to ensure that we come up with a most rational programme that will be able to entice, encourage and motivate our fans to come back."
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
2014年1月10日星期五
Community clubs to screen EPL matches
Community clubs to screen EPL matches
FOOTBALL bonds - particularly those relating to the EPL - are often formed in pubs, bars, and homes. But from this weekend, some might even be formed in Singapore's community clubs.
This, following a move by SingTel mio TV and the People's Association (PA) to screen selected English Premier League matches in 23 CCs. For starters, nine CCs will telecast tomorrow's match between Chelsea and Hull City.
Said SingTel's managing director of TV Goh Seow Eng: "Catching the game with a bunch of friends and neighbours is great fun and a fantastic way to foster community spirit in the heartland."
Added PA's chief executive director Ang Hak Seng: "It is a great way to bond the community as friends and neighbours, as well as parents and children, can gather to watch and cheer for their favourite football teams together."
While the idea of screening football matches in public is not new - some 2010 World Cup matches were also aired in CCs - mio TV is now committing to screening selected matches weekly till May 11, the season's final day.
The initiative was hailed by fans, even those who subscribe to pay-TV content at home.
Mr Sanjiv Sharma, 44, managing director of an advertising agency, said: "Sometimes watching a match in a friend's house might inconvenience family members, so this is a brilliant idea."
Fellow Arsenal supporter Ms Umarani Jayapal, a 27-year-old librarian, added: "It's more fun to watch in a group instead of alone at home, but sometimes there are limitations to watching in certain venues.
"This will be good in terms of helping to promote community bonding, for friends who support different clubs, to watch in a neutral venue."
Others, however, have their reservations. Said Mr Bruce Kam, 31, a customer service officer and Manchester United fan: "I personally prefer to enjoy a game comfortably, either at home or even if I have to fork out a bit of money to watch it at a pub with friends.
"But I think this could be popular with the senior citizens and students."
Where to watch
THE Chelsea versus Hull City English Premier League match will be shown at 8.45pm tomorrow at nine CCs:
Tampines West
Buona Vista
Chong Pang
Kallang
Nee Soon South
Telok Ayer Hong Lim Green
West Coast
Woodlands
Yio Chu Kang
Fourteen other CCs will commence screening after tomorrow. These are:
Boon Lay
Bishan
Cheng San
Chua Chu Kang
Fengshan
Hong Kah North
Pasir Ris Elias
Paya Lebar Kovan
Punggol
Jurong Spring
Tampines Central
Toa Payoh Central
Sengkang
Ulu Pandan
~News courtesy of Straits Times~
FOOTBALL bonds - particularly those relating to the EPL - are often formed in pubs, bars, and homes. But from this weekend, some might even be formed in Singapore's community clubs.
This, following a move by SingTel mio TV and the People's Association (PA) to screen selected English Premier League matches in 23 CCs. For starters, nine CCs will telecast tomorrow's match between Chelsea and Hull City.
Said SingTel's managing director of TV Goh Seow Eng: "Catching the game with a bunch of friends and neighbours is great fun and a fantastic way to foster community spirit in the heartland."
Added PA's chief executive director Ang Hak Seng: "It is a great way to bond the community as friends and neighbours, as well as parents and children, can gather to watch and cheer for their favourite football teams together."
While the idea of screening football matches in public is not new - some 2010 World Cup matches were also aired in CCs - mio TV is now committing to screening selected matches weekly till May 11, the season's final day.
The initiative was hailed by fans, even those who subscribe to pay-TV content at home.
Mr Sanjiv Sharma, 44, managing director of an advertising agency, said: "Sometimes watching a match in a friend's house might inconvenience family members, so this is a brilliant idea."
Fellow Arsenal supporter Ms Umarani Jayapal, a 27-year-old librarian, added: "It's more fun to watch in a group instead of alone at home, but sometimes there are limitations to watching in certain venues.
"This will be good in terms of helping to promote community bonding, for friends who support different clubs, to watch in a neutral venue."
Others, however, have their reservations. Said Mr Bruce Kam, 31, a customer service officer and Manchester United fan: "I personally prefer to enjoy a game comfortably, either at home or even if I have to fork out a bit of money to watch it at a pub with friends.
"But I think this could be popular with the senior citizens and students."
Where to watch
THE Chelsea versus Hull City English Premier League match will be shown at 8.45pm tomorrow at nine CCs:
Tampines West
Buona Vista
Chong Pang
Kallang
Nee Soon South
Telok Ayer Hong Lim Green
West Coast
Woodlands
Yio Chu Kang
Fourteen other CCs will commence screening after tomorrow. These are:
Boon Lay
Bishan
Cheng San
Chua Chu Kang
Fengshan
Hong Kah North
Pasir Ris Elias
Paya Lebar Kovan
Punggol
Jurong Spring
Tampines Central
Toa Payoh Central
Sengkang
Ulu Pandan
~News courtesy of Straits Times~
2014年1月7日星期二
National Stadium to open with Singapore-Malaysia clash
National Stadium to open with Singapore-Malaysia clash
It looks like a Causeway derby between Singapore and Malaysia will indeed be the first football match to be played at the Sports Hub this year.
Bernama, Malaysia's national news agency, reported recently that the country's national football team will play the Lions in an opening match for the new 55,000-seater National Stadium in May.
Responding to queries from TODAY, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) confirmed on January 6 that the Harimau Malaya, the country's national team, will play the Lions. However, no details were available at press time.
TODAY had first reported last September that the World Sport Group (WSG), the commercial partner of the Sports Hub, was considering a Causeway derby to mark the opening of the National Stadium, which will feature the world's biggest dome roof and air-cooled seats.
When contacted, a Football Association of Singapore (FAS) spokesperson would only say: "We are currently working out the details of the match to be played at the opening of the Sports Hub and will announce the details at an opportune time."
Although top sides like Manchester United, Liverpool and Barcelona had been cited as possibilities to mark the grand opening of the Sports Hub, it is believed this year's busy football calendar will prove a tough challenge for event organisers to find a top international club side to play at the National Stadium.
The race for the 2013-14 English Premier League title is expected to go on till May, while the world's best 32 national sides will be focused on the World Cup in Brazil from June 12 to July 13. However, fans TODAY spoke to were happy to watch a Singapore-Malaysia game.
"It's a nice way to kick off as Singapore and Malaysia are historic rivals," said Henry Han, 38, a line supervisor in the marine and offshore industry. "It's been a while since we've watched the national team play at a national stadium since the old one was demolished (in 2010).
"I have very fond memories of the place as I watched the Malaysia Cup there when I was a teenager. This will give families a chance to relive the olden days and it is still something many people look forward to."
Likewise, while Royston Jalleh is a Manchester United fan, he will still buy a ticket to the Singapore-Malaysia game.
"I think it's wonderful news as it's been some time since we heard the Kallang Roar," said the 50-year-old. "Having Singapore play Manchester United would be exciting, but I would rather have Singapore play Malaysia any time. That's where you get the true Singapore spirit, and people go there wanting to support their team."
Others like John Tommy Yeo - who operated a drinks stall at the old National Stadium from 1972 to 2007 - are more keen to see the Lions challenge the region's bigger teams.
"Of course it will be good to see Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich play here," said the 52-year-old, who has fond memories of Singapore football legends like Dollah Kassim and Quah Kim Song.
"But it will be more interesting to see Singapore play teams like Thailand, South Korea or Japan. It's been a long time since we've seen South Korea and Japan here and it will be more exciting than if Singapore plays Malaysia."
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
It looks like a Causeway derby between Singapore and Malaysia will indeed be the first football match to be played at the Sports Hub this year.
Bernama, Malaysia's national news agency, reported recently that the country's national football team will play the Lions in an opening match for the new 55,000-seater National Stadium in May.
Responding to queries from TODAY, the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) confirmed on January 6 that the Harimau Malaya, the country's national team, will play the Lions. However, no details were available at press time.
TODAY had first reported last September that the World Sport Group (WSG), the commercial partner of the Sports Hub, was considering a Causeway derby to mark the opening of the National Stadium, which will feature the world's biggest dome roof and air-cooled seats.
When contacted, a Football Association of Singapore (FAS) spokesperson would only say: "We are currently working out the details of the match to be played at the opening of the Sports Hub and will announce the details at an opportune time."
Although top sides like Manchester United, Liverpool and Barcelona had been cited as possibilities to mark the grand opening of the Sports Hub, it is believed this year's busy football calendar will prove a tough challenge for event organisers to find a top international club side to play at the National Stadium.
The race for the 2013-14 English Premier League title is expected to go on till May, while the world's best 32 national sides will be focused on the World Cup in Brazil from June 12 to July 13. However, fans TODAY spoke to were happy to watch a Singapore-Malaysia game.
"It's a nice way to kick off as Singapore and Malaysia are historic rivals," said Henry Han, 38, a line supervisor in the marine and offshore industry. "It's been a while since we've watched the national team play at a national stadium since the old one was demolished (in 2010).
"I have very fond memories of the place as I watched the Malaysia Cup there when I was a teenager. This will give families a chance to relive the olden days and it is still something many people look forward to."
Likewise, while Royston Jalleh is a Manchester United fan, he will still buy a ticket to the Singapore-Malaysia game.
"I think it's wonderful news as it's been some time since we heard the Kallang Roar," said the 50-year-old. "Having Singapore play Manchester United would be exciting, but I would rather have Singapore play Malaysia any time. That's where you get the true Singapore spirit, and people go there wanting to support their team."
Others like John Tommy Yeo - who operated a drinks stall at the old National Stadium from 1972 to 2007 - are more keen to see the Lions challenge the region's bigger teams.
"Of course it will be good to see Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich play here," said the 52-year-old, who has fond memories of Singapore football legends like Dollah Kassim and Quah Kim Song.
"But it will be more interesting to see Singapore play teams like Thailand, South Korea or Japan. It's been a long time since we've seen South Korea and Japan here and it will be more exciting than if Singapore plays Malaysia."
~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~
2014年1月1日星期三
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