Alienating soccer fans

The 2002 World Cup, now reaching its half way point, has had its share of memorable surprises and controversies to thrill many soccer fans all over the world. However, the biggest controversy, one that probably has not been given its due publicity because it is taking place far away from the fields or even the stadium terraces, is that millions of soccer fans in many parts of the world have been deprived of watching soccer's most important -- and popular -- tournament, thanks in no small measure to the increasing commercialization of the World Cup.

We're not talking here about the soccer fans in Europe and the Americas who have to watch the matches at odd hours because of the time difference with Japan and South Korea, co-hosts of the tournament. Those fortunate enough to have access to the matches would wake up or stay up, as the case may be, to watch their favorite teams play. After all, that is what we in Asia went through when the World Cup was staged in their part of the world.

Yet, the World Cup this time around is not reaching many of its traditional fans, because in some countries, the sole broadcasting right has been bought by cable or pay-per-view TV operators. Soccer fans in India, Italy and Hong Kong, reportedly, have been forced to pay to be able to watch the matches. It would not matter so much if the fee was minimal or affordable to most.

If this were to happen in Indonesia today, only a handful of people would have access to watch the live telecast of the World Cup matches. The cost would be prohibitive to most -- currently one has to pay some Rp 185,000 ($19) a month to subscribe to the only cable TV operator in Jakarta -- and only a minute percentage of the population have access to cable TV.

Even with free-to-air RCTI, which bought the exclusive rights to broadcast the World Cup matches in Indonesia for a hefty $5 million, the number of people who can watch the matches live is still fewer than four years ago. This is because the largest and oldest private station currently only reaches about 160 million of Indonesia's 210 million people. In contrast, state-owned TVRI, which broadcasted the 1998 World Cup, has a wider reach.

In 1998, no less than four local free-to-air TV stations, including TVRI, jointly broadcasted the World Cup and shared the costs between them. This time, only RCTI has come up with the money. Other TV stations, which had planned to buy the rights jointly with RCTI, pulled out because of the exorbitant fee that makes broadcasting the World Cup unprofitable, certainly compared to airing local and Latin soap operas.

It is a sad irony that millions of people in Indonesia, and we suspect millions more elsewhere in the world, cannot watch the World Cup in this era of information technology. The cable or pay-per-view TV phenomena, combined with the commercialization of the World Cup, has virtually turned watching a tournament as important as the World Cup, a privilege only some can people can enjoy. There was a time not so long ago when watching the World Cup was regarded as a God given right for all soccer fans.

Globalization and the IT industry's rapid growth are supposed to make the means of information and communication more accessible and affordable to more people. In the case of the World Cup, it seems to have completely the opposite effect.

Millions of people have missed the thrills and action of the World Cup so far: the tragic and early end for defending champ France; the early exit of pre-tournament favorites Argentina; the fine performances of African and Asian teams challenging Europe and the Americas; or the making of new soccer heroes like hat- tricksters Klose and Pauleta.

If the first two weeks of the tournament are anything to go by, we are in for an even better treat in the second half. We can all look forward to another memorable World Cup. For some, however, the South Korea and Japan 2002 World Cup will be remembered as the beginning of their alienation from soccer's biggest and most prestigious international tournament.

Those lucky enough to watch the games might want to make the most of their existing privilege. The way the World Cup tournament is being commercialized, this may be the last time some of us can enjoy watching the matches for free.