'RCTI' sole local TV channel for 2002 World Cup soccer matches
'RCTI' sole local TV channel for 2002 World Cup soccer matches
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
RCTI, the privately run television station, announced on
Wednesday that it would broadcast live 45 of the 64 soccer
matches at World Cup 2002, which will be jointly hosted by South
Korea and Japan.
"The other 19 fixtures will be aired in a delayed program
format," said Wisnu Hadi, the station's director, at a press
conference.
The delayed programs will be aired at 1 a.m. said Wisnu, who
added that the programming difference would be made to
accommodate cigarette ads, which are not, by regulation, allowed
to be aired until after 9.30 p.m.
Wisnu said that the World Cup 2002 broadcast package was worth
a total of US$5 million (Rp 52.5 billion). The deal was finalized
two years ago with Germany's Kirch Media.
In addition to the state-run TVRI, there are nine other
private TV stations that operate alongside RCTI. Some of them
have joined Indonesia's airwaves only recently.
During the last three editions of the World Cup, the
broadcasting slots were shared among only a few of them. This
time, however, RCTI appears set to be the sole provider, leaving
the others in the onlooking seats.
Previously, RCTI had offered to share the package with at
least three other stations. But negotiations seem to have broken
down amid speculation that the nation's first private station put
up the highest bid.
However, Wisnu cited a "compromise with sponsors" as being
behind the decision to leave the package unshared.
"We had offered the package to three other stations, and they
expressed interest and looked financially eligible for it," he
said. "But on further discussion with the sponsors, in the end we
decided that it would be more beneficial to run the program
ourself."
He declined to identify the three other stations.
What appears likely to be the world's biggest soccer spectacle
will start on May 31 and run through June 30.
In all, 32 nations from around the world will be represented
in the competition, with teams in 64 matches to be played in 20
cities, including ten each in South Korea and Japan.
The participants are divided into eight groups. Reigning
champion France will launch its defense campaign with a match
against West African minnow Senegal in Seoul.
The opening match is scheduled for 8.30 p.m. local time. With
a time difference of less than two hours, Indonesian soccer
enthusiasts can watch their TV program earlier at 6.30 p.m.
RCTI, which was founded in 1989, has seemed to make the soccer
extravaganza, which takes place every four years, its premiere
business and entertainment program since 1990.
Unlike during the three previous editions, when the
competition was held in Europe or the Western Hemisphere, sports
fans will not have to stay up past midnight, as the matches are
staged during times that will coincide with afternoons and
evenings in Jakarta.
To give viewers previews and reviews of the games, a number of
people have been tapped as commentators. A taped commentary
featuring world-class soccer figures has been in the works.
The commentary may come from Manchester United coach Sir Alex
Ferguson, along with former AC Milan aces from the Netherlands
Ruud Gulit and Frank Rikjkaard.
"The most likely choice is Alex Ferguson. We have spoken with
his agency," said Irwan Hendarmin, RCTI's sports manager.
"Gulit and Rijkaard are optional -- their countryman Marco van
Basten could have been another choice, but he decided not to get
involved," he said.