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<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgtxt>Jan 14, 2010
WORLD CUP TV IMPASSE
Get Singapore Pools involved
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IT IS hard to argue against Mr Chua Hian Hou's opinion last Thursday ('Time to say no to Fifa') that the state should not subsidise this year's World Cup television deal which is currently stalled by world football body Fifa's extortionate demand for TV rights.
Taxpayers as well as shareholders of StarHub and SingTel, the two telcos involved in Singapore's bid, should not subsidise the Singapore fans' football passion.
While we should not quietly acquiesce to Fifa's increasingly extortionate demands, the awkward combination of football fanaticism, small market and high per capita income suggests this will not be an easy battle to win.
Our high per capita income means we must pay more based on Fifa's pricing structure; our small market exacerbates the price burden imposed by Fifa; and our football passion ensures that the pain will be acute if we do not win TV rights.
Perhaps we should look to innovative commercial models to secure the television broadcast rights.
It is no secret that Singapore Pools made a killing from football betting during the previous World Cups, though it has kept the figure from the public.
A chunk of this revenue came from football fans who were not habitual gamblers. They placed bets during the World Cup to spice up their viewing pleasure.
While there are no statistics to guide us in assessing the potential loss of revenues to Singapore Pools from failure to secure the bid this year, common sense suggests that without the frenzy and excitement of live matches, gambling revenue will fall significantly.
Singapore Pools, therefore, has some interest in a successful joint bid by SingTel and StarHub for broadcast rights to the World Cup this year.
Has Singapore Pools examined the business case for supporting SingTel and StarHub's joint bid? If Singapore Pools plays a part, there will be no need to consider subsidies.
Han Lim Siew
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
WORLD CUP TV IMPASSE
Get Singapore Pools involved
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
IT IS hard to argue against Mr Chua Hian Hou's opinion last Thursday ('Time to say no to Fifa') that the state should not subsidise this year's World Cup television deal which is currently stalled by world football body Fifa's extortionate demand for TV rights.
Taxpayers as well as shareholders of StarHub and SingTel, the two telcos involved in Singapore's bid, should not subsidise the Singapore fans' football passion.
While we should not quietly acquiesce to Fifa's increasingly extortionate demands, the awkward combination of football fanaticism, small market and high per capita income suggests this will not be an easy battle to win.
Our high per capita income means we must pay more based on Fifa's pricing structure; our small market exacerbates the price burden imposed by Fifa; and our football passion ensures that the pain will be acute if we do not win TV rights.
Perhaps we should look to innovative commercial models to secure the television broadcast rights.
It is no secret that Singapore Pools made a killing from football betting during the previous World Cups, though it has kept the figure from the public.
A chunk of this revenue came from football fans who were not habitual gamblers. They placed bets during the World Cup to spice up their viewing pleasure.
While there are no statistics to guide us in assessing the potential loss of revenues to Singapore Pools from failure to secure the bid this year, common sense suggests that without the frenzy and excitement of live matches, gambling revenue will fall significantly.
Singapore Pools, therefore, has some interest in a successful joint bid by SingTel and StarHub for broadcast rights to the World Cup this year.
Has Singapore Pools examined the business case for supporting SingTel and StarHub's joint bid? If Singapore Pools plays a part, there will be no need to consider subsidies.
Han Lim Siew
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
