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An IMG representative has confirmed its purchase of the TV rights of the EPL in the territory of Vietnam in 2013-2016. This group also owns the EPL TV rights in nine other Southeast Asian countries.
It is said that IMG has to pay $35 million for the exclusive rights to distribute EPL broadcasting rights in Vietnam. In 2010, MP&Silva spent $8 million for a similar package.
Earlier, Vietnamese broadcasters agreed that the national broadcaster VTV to stand out to negotiate the Premier League TV rights. However, VTV could not afford to buy it. According to VTV, many foreign partners participated in the auction and IMG was the winner.
"We and other TV stations are waiting for the foreign partner to offer the price for the EPL in Vietnam. Three years ago when MP&Silva offered the price, all local broadcasters complained that it was too high. We do not know about IMG’s offer yet but the purchase will be very difficult, because we all have to tighten our belts in difficult economic times," said Trinh Long Vu, head of the Vietnam Cable TV (VCTV).
Meanwhile, AVG and VTC have called on local broadcasters to unite in purchasing the EPL broadcasting rights.
"In difficult financial conditions, local broadcasters should not buy the EPL TV rights individually to avoid pushing the price up. They should sit down together to make the most appropriate price," said Vu Quang Huy, VTC representative.
The viewpoint of VTC and AVG is also the view of the Association of Vietnamese pay-TV Service Providers. "To avoid a price squeeze, local broadcasters have to unite together," said Mr. Le Dinh Cuong, the association’s general secretary.
IMG’s price is said to be very high because its winning price is four times higher than that of MP&Silva two years ago.
"We are waiting for TV broadcasters to report on the need to buy EPL TV rights. Not until IMG won the auction that we had clearly stated that it is unnecessarily to get the EPL TV rights at all costs. Now, clearly then, Vietnamese broadcasters have to sit together, for the benefit of themselves and of the audience," said Mr. Luu Vu Hai, Director of the Broadcasting and Electronic Information.
On November 18, Mr. Steve Ayles, a representative of the IMG, went to Vietnam. However, the IMG representative did not mention anything about the EPL copyright. He only marketed the broadcasting rights for the Australian Open tennis tournament.
Ayles said that until August 2013, IMG will officially hold the EPL copyright, so IMG has not discussed the sale of EPL TV rights yet.
Compiled by Nam Nguyen
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