BEC to air volleyball

BEC to air volleyball

Thailand plays against Brazil at the women's indoor national team World Grand Prix 2015 in Bangkok. (Bangkok Post file photo)
Thailand plays against Brazil at the women's indoor national team World Grand Prix 2015 in Bangkok. (Bangkok Post file photo)

SET-listed BEC World Plc, the operator of analogue Channel 3 and three digital channels, has secured a four-year deal from the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) for the exclusive broadcast rights in Thailand of three major volleyball leagues.

The three leagues are the women's indoor national team World Grand Prix, the men's indoor national team World League and the women's and men's indoor Club World Championships.

Surin Krittayaphongphun, acting president of Bangkok Entertainment, a subsidiary of BEC World, said it secured the rights for the 2017-20 seasons. It expects volleyball to drive viewership for Channel 3, where sports is now a content priority, he said.

Channel 3 is an official broadcaster of Uefa Euro 2016 and MotoGP 2016.

BEC did not disclose the budget to acquire the volleyball broadcast rights. The deal was negotiated by IMG Media. Chris Guinness, head of Asia for IMG Media, said its commercial relationship with BEC would help FIVB develop and expand the game in Thailand.

BEC plans to broadcast the volleyball on its free-to-air-channels to reach a wider audience.

Mr Surin said BEC's three digital channels -- Channel 33 HD, Channel 28 SD and Channel 13 Family -- remain unprofitable.

BEC shares closed yesterday on the SET at 23.10 baht, unchanged, in trade worth 9.72 million baht.

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