'TPI' to air live 16 W. Cup matches
JAKARTA (JP): To satisfy soccer fever during the World Cup finals in France, private TV station TPI will broadcast 16 of the 64 matches live.
TPI's broadcasting director, Ishadi SK, told a media conference yesterday that the station had signed sponsorship deals with tobacco company Djarum, Lamborghini Cafe and weekly sports tabloid Bola.
An agreement reached by directors of the country's six TV stations earlier this month gave TPI exclusive rights to broadcast nine group matches, one final 16 match and one quarterfinal match.
The directors have also agreed on joint live broadcasts of the opening match pitting defending champion Brazil against Scotland on June 10, the two semifinals on July 8 and 9, the third-place playoff on July 12 and the final the following day.
Ishadi said the TV network, owned by President Soeharto's daughter Siti Hardijanti Rukmana, would also air reruns of six group matches.
TPI has hired renowned soccer commentator and former national coach Eddy Sofyan for Rp 50 million (US$6,250).
Ishadi refused to disclose the amount of sponsorship deals and the budget for the soccer extravaganza. "In this economic crisis, I believe it's unethical to reveal those figures."
Invite
To add life to the broadcasts, TPI will invite people to watch the live shows at the cafe, situated in Taman Ria recreational park in Senayan, Central Jakarta.
"Our target is supporters of the World Cup finalists. They may shout for their teams and give opinions on other teams," Ishadi said.
Cafe visitors will receive T-shirts bearing the World Cup logo, which are provided by embassies of the countries qualifying for the biggest soccer tournament on earth.
The country's oldest private station RCTI, meanwhile, plans to air live 15 matches, with Rp 4 billion of commercial backing.
Unlike TPI, RCTI will fly two commentators, Italy-based Rayana Djaka Surya and Andi Darussalam, to Paris, along with former national team captain Ronny Pattinasarani.
RCTI public relations manager, Eduard Depari, said recently that his station and the five others would share an estimated Rp 10 billion to air all the World Cup matches live.
RCTI sports producer Andi Chairil Edward said the station had arranged some off-air programs, in which its representatives in groups would watch the live show with members of the middle to low-income brackets in 300 regencies across the country.
"We will also watch the live broadcast with soccer fans in cafes or hotels," Andi said. (lnt/ylt)