Overview of SE Asia World Cup viewing

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Overview of SE Asia World Cup viewing  
: 11 Jun 2010
Mixed Signals For Asia’s World Cup Fans
11 June 2010
source: blog.travelandleisureasia.com

With billions tuning into the World Cup, Asia’s media providers are gleefully anticipating record audiences— with some hiking their pay-per-view premiums to boot...

Things have been going this way ever since Britain’s First Division was privatized into the Premier League back in 1992. According to sportcal.com, FIFA expects to reap television revenues of US$2.5 billion from the World Cup 2010. A fat portion of the profits will, of course, come from Asia, where around 60 percent of the world’s population resides.

Coverage varies by region in terms of quality— South Korea’s SBS will broadcast games in 3D— and pricing. While Malaysia, China and Japan will get all the action free on public broadcast networks, neighboring countries are not so lucky.

Singapore’s pay-TV is penalizing viewers between US$46 and US$63 (that’s before base charges for non-subscribers to pay-TV). The cost provoked an angry reaction, even from locals used to expensive consumer prices. At time of writing, more than 28,000 fans had signed up to the Mass Boycott Starhub/Singtel Overpriced World Cup Package Facebook page.

“I have never seen this kind of activism from Singaporeans,” said blogger and CNNGo correspondent mrbrown. “We are a passive and obedient lot when it comes to things like politics and freedom. “But… football is MORE than life.”

At least Mediacorps’ Channel 5 has thrown fans in the city–state a spherical bone by offering up four key games—the opening match, the semi-finals and the final—an offer matched by free Hong Kong digital channels TVB and ATV. Otherwise, subscription channel i-Cable has exclusive broadcast rights in Hong Kong.

Thailand’s soccer-mad devotees face prices comparable to Singapore (US$46–$61) to watch the tournament on TrueVisions’ Platinum and Gold packages. Even so, games feature Thai commentary only, causing consternation for Thailand’s sizeable expat population.

So what solutions exist for those out-priced by hiked World Cup fees?

Some Singaporeans are heading to Malaysia, where channels RTM 1 and RTM 2 will screen games free on domestic TV. Others are flocking to sports-themed bars, footy-friendly late-night coffee shops, or hotels organizing special World Cup packages—often complete with cheeky $++ admission fees.

Of course, there are always often herky-jerky (but free) Internet streams. Ironically, one of the main platforms for watching the 2010 Word Cup online, Tudou.com, is Chinese… where China Central Television (CCTV) will broadcast all 64 games free, reaching up to 97 percent of 1.3 billion China’s population.

Some estimates, however, assert that a cumulative 900 million Chinese tuned into the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Advertisers will doubtless be salivating at the pitch-making potential granted by such easy access to World Cup 2010.

http://blog.travelandleisureasia.com/interest/2010/06/11/mixed-signals-for-asia’s-world-cup-fans/