Media join W. Cup competition off the pitch<\/p>\n
By Edith Hartanto<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Despite the economic crisis, the mass media
\nrealize the importance of keeping soccer fans satisfied and are
\nbattling to outdo one another as the World Cup approaches.<\/p>\n
"Becoming a soccer maniac is much better than becoming a
\nlooter, isn't it? At least the World Cup with all its charm can
\nhelp people forget the daily misery," Sumohadi Marsis of Bola
\nsports tabloid told The Jakarta Post recently.<\/p>\n
Bola has prepared profiles, previews and features on popular
\nteams and eagerly anticipated matches.<\/p>\n
"As you know, the printed media have struggled this year and
\nwe are in fierce competition with TV.<\/p>\n
"TV has a tremendous advantage because it can show matches
\nlive. What we do is try to meet readers other needs, such as in
\ndepth previews of each match. At least this helps people to
\ndecide who to back in bets," Sumohadi joked.<\/p>\n
Bola is sending three members of staff, including Sumohadi, to
\nFrance, who will be joined by the tabloids Italian-based
\ncorrespondent.<\/p>\n
Bola has issued 12,000 copies of a special World Cup edition
\npriced at Rp 35,000. "All copies have sold out. That is good news
\nbecause it will cover our expenses."<\/p>\n
For the final, Bola will hold a special show at Hotel Santika
\nJakarta hosted by popular actor Rano Karno.<\/p>\n
Another sports tabloid, GO, has been preparing its 40-page
\nspecial edition since June 2.<\/p>\n
"We publish every Tuesday and Friday. This week we have
\neliminated all other topics and focused on soccer alone,"
\nSyaibani of GO said.<\/p>\n
GO has only sent its managing editor Hardimen Koto to France.
\n"We have to be thrifty because of the crisis," he explained.<\/p>\n
The "humble" coverage given to the World Cup by sports papers
\ncontrasts starkly with the saturation coverage which TV stations
\nhave dished out.<\/p>\n
Privately owned ANteve will broadcast 13 matches live and will
\nearn Rp 5 billion in advertising revenues from doing so.<\/p>\n
"We have been airing soccer packages since January to welcome
\nthe World Cup. From between now and July we plan to air over 170
\nhours of soccer related programs," Zoraya Perucha of ANteve said.<\/p>\n
She added a crew of 30 had been allocated to cover the World
\nCup between June 10 and July 14.<\/p>\n
"We have also sent four people to France: Reva Deddy Utama
\n(executive producer), Boy Irwan Noya (producer\/reporter), Lutfi
\nZulkarnaen (editor) and Asdeddy (cameraman)," she added.<\/p>\n
ANteve football programs include Kilau Piala Dunia, a World
\nCup Journal showing match highlights, and profiles of soccer
\nstars, coaches and managers from each of the 32 teams.<\/p>\n
Kilau will be aired Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10:30
\na.m and between 9:30 p.m and 10 p.m. Among other programs
\nscheduled are Sensasi Piala Dunia on June 14 from 9:30 p.m. to
\n10.30 p.m.; Guyon Piala Dunia, which will present anecdotes from
\nthe World Cup on June 21 from 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.<\/p>\n
ANteve is the leading channel for sports coverage in the
\ncountry. It broadcasts matches from the Italian, English, German,
\nSpanish and Indonesian leagues.<\/p>\n
Lensa Olahraga and Majalah Olahraga, two sports magazine
\nprograms produced by the station, won the 1997 Panasonic Award
\nfor favorite sports show and the 1997 Asian Television Award for
\nbest sports program respectively.<\/p>\n
TPI, owned by former president Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti
\nHardijanti Rukmana, will broadcast 16 of the 64 matches live.<\/p>\n
"We have signed sponsorship deals with tobacco company Djarum,
\nLamborghini Cafe and weekly sports tabloid Bola," TPI
\nbroadcasting director Ishadi S.K. said last month.<\/p>\n
"We also plan to show repeats of six group matches," he added.<\/p>\n
TPI has hired the services of renowned soccer commentator and
\nformer national coach Eddy Sofyan for Rp 50 million (some
\nUS$5,000) for the duration of the tournament.<\/p>\n
Ishadi refused to disclose the value of advertising deals
\nstruck by the station, or its budget for coverage of the soccer
\nextravaganza.<\/p>\n
"It is unethical to reveal those figures because of the
\neconomic crisis, but we have enough to run the show."<\/p>\n
An agreement reached by directors of the country's six TV
\nstations in April gave TPI exclusive rights to broadcast nine
\ngroup matches, one match from the last 16, and one quarterfinal
\nmatch.<\/p>\n
The directors also agreed to joint live broadcasts of the
\nopening match between defending champions Brazil and Scotland on
\nJune 10, the two semifinals on July 8 and 9, the match to decide
\nthird and fourth place on July 12, and the final the following
\nday.<\/p>\n
To add life to the broadcasts and boost the number of
\nsupporters, TPI will hold live showings in a cafe in Taman Ria
\nRemaja recreational park in Senayan, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
"We want people to enjoy the show, express their feelings and
\nscream their lungs out if they want to," Ishadi said.<\/p>\n
Visitors to the Cafe will receive T-shirts bearing the World
\nCup logo provided by the embassies of countries who qualified for
\nthe tournament.<\/p>\n
RCTI, the longest established private station in the country,
\nhas plans to air 15 live matches, and has attracted advertising
\nworth Rp 4 billion.<\/p>\n
Rayana Djaka Surya and Andi Darussalam have been sent by the
\nstation from their base in Italy to Paris along with former
\nnational team captain Ronny Pattinasarani.<\/p>\n
Eduard Depari, RCTI public relations manager, said the
\ncountry's six television stations would share the Rp 10 billion
\nfee for airing live coverage of the World Cup.<\/p>\n
RCTI sports producer Andi Chairil said the station had also
\narranged live showings for low-income people in 300 regencies
\nacross the country.<\/p>\n
"We all plan to watch the live broadcast with soccer fans in
\ncafes or hotels," Andi said, adding that RCTI had prepared mobile
\nbroadcasting facilities for the event.<\/p>\n
"I'll guarantee you it will be an awesome show," he said.<\/p>\n
SCTV is also planning special programs and will broadcast the
\nopening and closing ceremonies live from France.<\/p>\n
The station will air 15 matches live and show five repeats.
\n"Our show may not be as glamorous as the other TV stations, but
\nwe will provide lots of games and quizzes," Budi Darmawan, public
\nrelations manager of SCTV said.<\/p>\n
Radio stations are also holding various quiz programs,
\nincluding Prambors Rasisonia, Kiss FM, Mustang, Sonora,
\nFemale, Trijaya, ARH and university station Radio MS Tri.<\/p>\n
"It's better to join the soccer mania than sitting around
\nwondering what this country is going to be like," Vanda, a radio
\nbroadcaster, said in between singing "Here we go...Allez, Allez,"<\/p>\n
"It's an anthem, isn't it? People on the street are singing
\nit. Come on, lift your hands up high!" she said with a smile and
\na swirl of her hips.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/media-join-w-cup-competition-off-the-pitch-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}