NBTC declines to use special fund for Olympics broadcast rights

In a decisive 7 to 0 vote yesterday, July 17, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) resolved not to allocate 435 million baht from its Broadcasting and Telecommunications Research and Development Fund for Public Interest to sponsor the broadcasting rights for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Games.

The proposal had suggested that the NBTC utilise the fund to secure broadcasting rights for the events, scheduled to take place in Paris, France, from July 26 to August 11, and August 28 to September 8, respectively.

The NBTC board cited potential legal issues under the Must Have, Must Carry rules, which require free TV broadcasts of seven major sports competitions as a primary reason for their decision.

The rules are intended to ensure public access to significant sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, SEA Games, Asian Games, Asian Para Games, and ASEAN Para Games.

Additionally, the NBTC highlighted a private sector initiative wherein Plan B Ltd, in collaboration with four terrestrial TV stations (T Sports 7, CH 7 HD, 9 MCOT HD, and PPTV HD 36) has secured the broadcasting rights for the upcoming Olympics and Paralympic Games. The NBTC reiterated that their decision stems from a reluctance to interfere with the market mechanism.

“This collaboration will provide people with more options for viewing the events. Therefore, the NBTC decided not to use its fund to sponsor the purchase of broadcasting rights, which could interfere with the market mechanism.”

The board also emphasised fairness, noting that it would be inequitable for other TV operators if the NBTC used its fund, which was contributed to by all TV operators, to support only four operators, reported The Nation.

“Moreover, the responsibility for providing free TV broadcasts of the Olympic and Paralympic Games falls under the Sports Authority of Thailand, which should use the National Sports Development Fund for this purpose.”