'RCTI' to provide full Cups coverage

'RCTI' to provide full Cups coverage

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta-based private TV station RCTI has won
broadcasting rights to this year's Uber Cup and Thomas Cup
badminton finals across Asia and Australia.

James White of the International Management Group, commercial
agent of the events, said yesterday that at least three Asian TV
companies would relay RCTI's coverage. Five other stations,
including one from Australia, have also shown interest in
broadcasting the biennial event.

Hong-Kong based Star TV, China's national television CCTV, and
Malaysian national radio and television RTM have signed the
broadcasting deal with the IMG. Negotiations are now underway
with TV companies from the Philippines, Korea, Australia,
Singapore and Vietnam.

RCTI will air more than 50 hours of live coverage during the
badminton championships, to be played at the Queen Elizabeth
Stadium in Hong Kong from May 15 to May 24.

"We expect that all Asian people will enjoy our program, as we
know that badminton is a favorite sport in this region," the
American said in fluent Indonesian.

He declined to disclose how much the contracts cost the
foreign broadcasters.

"It's strictly confidential because the program does not
solely belongs to IMG, but RCTI and PBSI (the Indonesian
Badminton Association). So, I personally can't reveal it," he
said.

The national badminton body will provide commentators and
technical assistance to IMG for the TV coverage.

White admitted the finals were without a main sponsor unlike
in previous years. But he added that mineral drinking water
company Aqua had confirmed its sponsorship, and at least 15 other
companies were negotiating on participation.

White expected that sponsorship would cover US$2.5 million of
the coverage expenses. He refused to give details of the budget
set for the TV coverage.

RCTI's vice president Alex Kumara said the live broadcasts
would include preliminary round matches from May 15 to May 20
from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. West Indonesia Time.

Live broadcasts of the semifinal and finals will be aired from
6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on May 21.

Deputy chairman of the badminton body, Maj. Gen. Agus
Wirahadikusumah, praised the IMG-RCTI deal, saying that the live
TV coverage could boost Indonesian shuttlers' confidence.

"This is an important non-technical matter worth considering,
mainly because this year's competitions will be totally different
from those two years ago," he said. (emf)