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A pity World Cup deal not concluded earlier: Lui Tuck Yew
Acting Communications, Information and the Arts Minister Lui Tuck Yew has said it is a pity that negotiations to bring the World Cup to Singapore could not have been concluded earlier.
This may have impacted on advertising revenue and overall support generated for the deal.
Mr Lui said: "The negotiations were difficult obviously because you know it has taken such a long time. Again, it's a bit of a pity because if it would have been concluded earlier, then the advertising revenue as well as support from advertisers and so many other people could have come much earlier.
"But I think at the end of the day, the World Cup here in Singapore is still better than not having it."
In response to the recent debate about the higher price subscribers would have to pay this time round, Mr Lui said it boils down to individual choice. But he said those who do not wish to subscribe still have a variety of options.
He added: "They can go to their friend's place, or they can watch it in the coffee shop or maybe in the pubs. So I think at the end of the day, what we have are choices for Singaporeans and it is up to them whether they wish to subscribe or not." Mr Lui was speaking to the media at the sidelines of the Singapore Arts Festival launch on Friday evening.
He was also asked about the criticism by the Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) to amendments to Singapore's pay-TV industry.
The association, which represents the interests of 130 content producers and operators across 16 Asian markets, is taking issue with the recently revised Media Market Conduct Code, which mandates the cross carriage of exclusive content in the pay TV market.
Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) introduced in March an additional Public Interest Obligation, which requires qualified pay TV licensees to carry each other's content.
The association said the code "deprives content owners and creators of their freedom to negotiate contracts in a competitive market.
Mr Lui said he is looking over the appeals submitted by various content providers.
He said: "What happens is that the appeal process is ongoing and obviously because I am going to decide on the appeals, I will have to listen to both sides. It is best not to comment too much ahead of time.
"... But you can be sure that we will take time to listen to all the different stakeholders, and we will give utmost thought, serious consideration to all the inputs that they have to give to MDA and the ministry."
Acting Communications, Information and the Arts Minister Lui Tuck Yew has said it is a pity that negotiations to bring the World Cup to Singapore could not have been concluded earlier.
This may have impacted on advertising revenue and overall support generated for the deal.
Mr Lui said: "The negotiations were difficult obviously because you know it has taken such a long time. Again, it's a bit of a pity because if it would have been concluded earlier, then the advertising revenue as well as support from advertisers and so many other people could have come much earlier.
"But I think at the end of the day, the World Cup here in Singapore is still better than not having it."
In response to the recent debate about the higher price subscribers would have to pay this time round, Mr Lui said it boils down to individual choice. But he said those who do not wish to subscribe still have a variety of options.
He added: "They can go to their friend's place, or they can watch it in the coffee shop or maybe in the pubs. So I think at the end of the day, what we have are choices for Singaporeans and it is up to them whether they wish to subscribe or not." Mr Lui was speaking to the media at the sidelines of the Singapore Arts Festival launch on Friday evening.
He was also asked about the criticism by the Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) to amendments to Singapore's pay-TV industry.
The association, which represents the interests of 130 content producers and operators across 16 Asian markets, is taking issue with the recently revised Media Market Conduct Code, which mandates the cross carriage of exclusive content in the pay TV market.
Singapore's Media Development Authority (MDA) introduced in March an additional Public Interest Obligation, which requires qualified pay TV licensees to carry each other's content.
The association said the code "deprives content owners and creators of their freedom to negotiate contracts in a competitive market.
Mr Lui said he is looking over the appeals submitted by various content providers.
He said: "What happens is that the appeal process is ongoing and obviously because I am going to decide on the appeals, I will have to listen to both sides. It is best not to comment too much ahead of time.
"... But you can be sure that we will take time to listen to all the different stakeholders, and we will give utmost thought, serious consideration to all the inputs that they have to give to MDA and the ministry."
