'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)