Broadcast deal for soccer league signed
JAKARTA (JP): Soccer fans will be able to watch live coverage of Bank Mandiri national soccer league matches on April 20 on the state-owned TVRI television network and privately run RCTI television station.
Secretary-general of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Tri Goestoro announced on Wednesday that the stations would air the league's second round matches but only the latter will air the quarterfinals through to the final.
"RCTI will air Sunday's match at 5 p.m. and TVRI will broadcast on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. There will also be delayed coverage on RCTI on April 23 of the April 20 match, and on May 7, relaying the May 4 match," he said.
Tri said PSSI received approval from 28 clubs competing in the league on the coverage deal.
"Each club receives Rp 10 million (US$1,300) for live coverage and Rp 5 million for delayed coverage. They are not big figures, but we are all in a learning process. In the future, all clubs may receive bigger amounts than that."
Tri said each club was permitted to sign a deal with its favorite station except for the final round. He also expressed hope that soccer clubs could improve their professionalism, including punctuality, to avoid financial losses for the television stations.
"We can't apply sanctions to any clubs which are late to start matches. If they realize that they can attract sponsors from TV coverage, they may gradually improve their punctuality."
PSSI also cooperated with state-owned telecommunications company PT Telkom in the broadcasting deal. Tri did not disclose the value of the deal between the three.
PSSI's official in charge of marketing and promotion Dimas Wahab said the association picked TVRI and RCTI due to their wide transmission area.
Both stations will also organize contests for viewers. RCTI will air predictions for upcoming matches and a special highlights program.
TVRI's official in charge of foreign sports programs Max Sopacua assured the station would provide good coverage, including transmission, despite its relatively old equipment.
"We don't have commercial spots so we will occupy the break period with quizzes. For this reason, we can't make delayed coverage," he said, refusing to disclose the production fees.
RCTI's official in charge of sports coverage Linda Wahyudi said the station and PSSI equally shared production costs.
"We need about Rp 30 million for live coverage in Greater Jakarta and Rp 50 million for outside Greater Jakarta."
She said RCTI would cooperate with another privately run station, ANteve, for the coverage.
"We are not as experienced in covering domestic soccer matches. We asked ANteve for assistance. They will provide cameramen, floor directors or program directors. We also have produced guidance on how to cover a domestic soccer match," she said. (ivy)
Fixtures
RCTI (host team in bold)
April 23: PSIS Semarang vs Gelora Dewata Bali (delayed transmission), April 30: Persija Jakarta vs Persiraja Banda Aceh, May 7: Persikota Tangerang vs PSMS Medan (delayed), May 14: Persijatim Jakarta vs Persija, May 21: Arema Malang vs Pelita Solo, May 28: Persib Bandung vs Persijatim, June 4: PSIM Yogyakarta vs Pelita, June 11: Persijatim vs PSBL Bandar Lampung.
TVRI
April 20: Petrokimia Gresik vs Persipura Jayapura, April 26: Arema vs PKT Samarinda, May 4: PSM Makassar vs Pelita, May 10: Pelita vs PKT, May 18: Gelora Dewata vs PSM, May 25: Persija vs Semen Padang, June 1: Persib vs PSBL, June 8: Persma Manado vs Persipura.