THE National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC) has approved 600 million baht budget for Sports Authority of Thailand to buy broadcasting rights to Fifa World Cup 2022 being held in Qatar from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18 but this does not cover the full cost of 1.6 billion, Thai Rath newspaper and BBC said this afternoon (Nov. 9).
The matches will be broadcast through free TV on all platforms.
However the approved budget is 1 billion baht short of the broadcasting rights cost of 1.6 billion baht.
Sports Authority of Thailand Governor Kongsak Yodmanee admitted to the media that he was worried because he had to raise one billion baht more as Fifa had notified that the cost is $42.5 million or around 1.6 billion baht.
Mr. Trairat Viriyasirikul, acting secretary-general of NBTC’s Broadcasting Commission, said the majority of the committee members approved the granting of this budget to the Sports Authority of Thailand to live broadcast Fifa World Cup 2022 matches according to actual expenses.
“NBTC by the majority of committee members approved a 600 million baht fund (including taxes and any other duties) so that all Thai people can watch live broadcasts of the Fifa World Cup 2022, all 64 matches, via free TV on all platforms,” he said.
The funding is aimed at protecting the rights of the underprivileged, low income or disabilities to enjoy the matches on equal footing as the general public, he added.
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Fifa World Cup 2022 is being held in Qatar from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18. Photo: BBC
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