Thailand faces suit for unpaid World Cup broadcasts

FIFA rights-holder RS international could file a lawsuit against Thai telecom regulators over their deal to air World Cup matches for free in the kingdom.

RS threatened the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission with legal action if it receives less than half of the THB427 million compensation the regulator was to pay under a deal struck by the junta in one of its first PR campaigns to build public support by providing universal access to the quadrennial football competition.

Recently the commission suggested paying RS only THB220 million for the broadcasts, which happened over channels 5, 7 and 8.

RS said that won’t cover the losses it has suffered, including a loss of THB326 after 200,000 set-top boxes were returned and 30,000 subscriptions canceled, according to CEO Surachai Chetchotisak.

RS has only received THB118 million from the regulator thus far.

“If our request for the additional payment makes no further progress, we’ll submit a petition to the Central Administrative Court for full payment and for damages caused by the payment delay,” Surachai said.

RS said it originally expected to earn THB650 million in advertising revenue for selling the World Cup to Thailand, Bangkok Post reported.

Related:

Game on: free World Cup for all, refunds for those who paid

Junta seeks free World Cup after court sides with rights holder

RS threatens to block all World Cup broadcasts in Thailand

Photo: Govt. of Brazil



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