Media join W. Cup competition off the pitch
By Edith Hartanto
JAKARTA (JP): Despite the economic crisis, the mass media realize the importance of keeping soccer fans satisfied and are battling to outdo one another as the World Cup approaches.
"Becoming a soccer maniac is much better than becoming a looter, isn't it? At least the World Cup with all its charm can help people forget the daily misery," Sumohadi Marsis of Bola sports tabloid told The Jakarta Post recently.
Bola has prepared profiles, previews and features on popular teams and eagerly anticipated matches.
"As you know, the printed media have struggled this year and we are in fierce competition with TV.
"TV has a tremendous advantage because it can show matches live. What we do is try to meet readers other needs, such as in depth previews of each match. At least this helps people to decide who to back in bets," Sumohadi joked.
Bola is sending three members of staff, including Sumohadi, to France, who will be joined by the tabloids Italian-based correspondent.
Bola has issued 12,000 copies of a special World Cup edition priced at Rp 35,000. "All copies have sold out. That is good news because it will cover our expenses."
For the final, Bola will hold a special show at Hotel Santika Jakarta hosted by popular actor Rano Karno.
Another sports tabloid, GO, has been preparing its 40-page special edition since June 2.
"We publish every Tuesday and Friday. This week we have eliminated all other topics and focused on soccer alone," Syaibani of GO said.
GO has only sent its managing editor Hardimen Koto to France. "We have to be thrifty because of the crisis," he explained.
The "humble" coverage given to the World Cup by sports papers contrasts starkly with the saturation coverage which TV stations have dished out.
Privately owned ANteve will broadcast 13 matches live and will earn Rp 5 billion in advertising revenues from doing so.
"We have been airing soccer packages since January to welcome the World Cup. From between now and July we plan to air over 170 hours of soccer related programs," Zoraya Perucha of ANteve said.
She added a crew of 30 had been allocated to cover the World Cup between June 10 and July 14.
"We have also sent four people to France: Reva Deddy Utama (executive producer), Boy Irwan Noya (producer/reporter), Lutfi Zulkarnaen (editor) and Asdeddy (cameraman)," she added.
ANteve football programs include Kilau Piala Dunia, a World Cup Journal showing match highlights, and profiles of soccer stars, coaches and managers from each of the 32 teams.
Kilau will be aired Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m and between 9:30 p.m and 10 p.m. Among other programs scheduled are Sensasi Piala Dunia on June 14 from 9:30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.; Guyon Piala Dunia, which will present anecdotes from the World Cup on June 21 from 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
ANteve is the leading channel for sports coverage in the country. It broadcasts matches from the Italian, English, German, Spanish and Indonesian leagues.
Lensa Olahraga and Majalah Olahraga, two sports magazine programs produced by the station, won the 1997 Panasonic Award for favorite sports show and the 1997 Asian Television Award for best sports program respectively.
TPI, owned by former president Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardijanti Rukmana, will broadcast 16 of the 64 matches live.
"We have signed sponsorship deals with tobacco company Djarum, Lamborghini Cafe and weekly sports tabloid Bola," TPI broadcasting director Ishadi S.K. said last month.
"We also plan to show repeats of six group matches," he added.
TPI has hired the services of renowned soccer commentator and former national coach Eddy Sofyan for Rp 50 million (some US$5,000) for the duration of the tournament.
Ishadi refused to disclose the value of advertising deals struck by the station, or its budget for coverage of the soccer extravaganza.
"It is unethical to reveal those figures because of the economic crisis, but we have enough to run the show."
An agreement reached by directors of the country's six TV stations in April gave TPI exclusive rights to broadcast nine group matches, one match from the last 16, and one quarterfinal match.
The directors also agreed to joint live broadcasts of the opening match between defending champions Brazil and Scotland on June 10, the two semifinals on July 8 and 9, the match to decide third and fourth place on July 12, and the final the following day.
To add life to the broadcasts and boost the number of supporters, TPI will hold live showings in a cafe in Taman Ria Remaja recreational park in Senayan, Central Jakarta.
"We want people to enjoy the show, express their feelings and scream their lungs out if they want to," Ishadi said.
Visitors to the Cafe will receive T-shirts bearing the World Cup logo provided by the embassies of countries who qualified for the tournament.
RCTI, the longest established private station in the country, has plans to air 15 live matches, and has attracted advertising worth Rp 4 billion.
Rayana Djaka Surya and Andi Darussalam have been sent by the station from their base in Italy to Paris along with former national team captain Ronny Pattinasarani.
Eduard Depari, RCTI public relations manager, said the country's six television stations would share the Rp 10 billion fee for airing live coverage of the World Cup.
RCTI sports producer Andi Chairil said the station had also arranged live showings for low-income people in 300 regencies across the country.
"We all plan to watch the live broadcast with soccer fans in cafes or hotels," Andi said, adding that RCTI had prepared mobile broadcasting facilities for the event.
"I'll guarantee you it will be an awesome show," he said.
SCTV is also planning special programs and will broadcast the opening and closing ceremonies live from France.
The station will air 15 matches live and show five repeats. "Our show may not be as glamorous as the other TV stations, but we will provide lots of games and quizzes," Budi Darmawan, public relations manager of SCTV said.
Radio stations are also holding various quiz programs, including Prambors Rasisonia, Kiss FM, Mustang, Sonora, Female, Trijaya, ARH and university station Radio MS Tri.
"It's better to join the soccer mania than sitting around wondering what this country is going to be like," Vanda, a radio broadcaster, said in between singing "Here we go...Allez, Allez,"
"It's an anthem, isn't it? People on the street are singing it. Come on, lift your hands up high!" she said with a smile and a swirl of her hips.