Anxiously waiting for the price quote for the 33rd SEA Games television copyright: Hopefully it's not too expensive

VIETNAMESE AUDIENCES WILL BE GUARANTEED THEIR RIGHTS

The 33rd SEA Games will be held in Thailand in late 2025, but up to this point the host country has not yet announced the price of the event's television rights. This has prevented many countries in the region, including Vietnam, from completing official broadcasting agreements.

Anxiously waiting for the price quote for the 33rd SEA Games television copyright: Hopefully it's not too expensive - Photo 1.

At the SEA Games, the Vietnamese teams always receive special attention from the audience and the issue of television copyright is also very noticeable.

PHOTO: HA PHUONG

However, Vietnamese fans can rest assured because according to the SEA Games Charter, the regional sports event must be widely promoted. Article 63 of the SEA Games Charter clearly stipulates: member countries have the right to broadcast the SEA Games on broadcast television systems to ensure that the majority of people have access to and watch the largest sporting event in the region. Therefore, although there is no specific price, it is almost certain that Vietnam Television (VTV) will have the copyright to broadcast the 33rd SEA Games in Vietnam.

In previous congresses, VTV has always been the copyright holder and producer of television programs serving audiences nationwide. Perhaps in the meeting in July (in addition to the head of the delegation, there will also be representatives of television units from Southeast Asian countries), VTV will work with its partners in Thailand to prepare for the rebroadcasting and production of content for the 33rd SEA Games. Most likely, after Thailand announces the official fee, VTV will quickly complete negotiations to ensure the rights of Vietnamese audiences.

HOPE THE LICENSE PRICE IS NOT HIGH

As mentioned above, the right to broadcast for free only applies to broadcast stations that broadcast for free to the public (for example VTV in Vietnam, TV5 in Cambodia, RTM in Malaysia, etc.), while pay TV units in Southeast Asia are required to purchase copyright or sign a redistribution contract from the official copyright holder. In Vietnam, cable, satellite, and IPTV channels that charge monthly subscription fees (such as K+, SCTV, FPT Play, etc.); paid OTT platforms or those with advertising (such as VieON, TV360, MyTV, etc.) must purchase or negotiate with VTV if VTV is granted exclusive rights in Vietnam. If VTV owns the copyright to broadcast the 33rd SEA Games in Vietnam, VTV is not allowed to rebroadcast on paid platforms (unless there is a clear agreement). Pay TV stations that broadcast without purchasing copyright will violate international intellectual property laws and may be fined.

A copyright expert said: "At the 32nd SEA Games, the host country Cambodia completely exempted television copyright. But at the 33rd SEA Games, Thailand will definitely charge a fee. We have to wait and hope that the specific price will not be too high. The SEA Games is not only a sporting event but also an event of great cultural and social significance. Vietnamese audiences are very interested because in addition to football, there are many other attractive sports that the Vietnamese sports delegation predicts will have many gold medals. The number of viewers watching through the platforms will be large, so businesses will take advantage of the opportunity to advertise on the channels. Television units will solve the commercial problem."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nong-ruot-cho-bao-gia-ban-quyen-truyen-hinh-sea-games-33-hy-vong-khong-qua-dat-185250618223102324.htm