Posts tagged mediacorp
Key World Cup matches may be telecast on MediaCorp’s channels
Jan 22nd
Football fans in Singapore may get to watch the 2010 FIFA World Cup matches on television after all.
That is because national broadcaster MediaCorp confirmed on Wednesday that it has put in an offer to telecast key World Cup matches on its free—to—air channels.
Earlier reports claimed that should SingTel and StarHub fail in their joint bid to broadcast World Cup matches, Singaporeans could miss out completely on the football action.
But MediaCorp’s bid means football fans here can breathe easier now. The company is currently waiting for FIFA’s response.
MediaCorp said any matches telecast on its free—to—air channels are subject to the company’s successful bid.
The broadcaster understands that there is no specific FIFA ruling for any match to be provided free—of—charge to any broadcaster nor is there a mandate for any match to be aired on a free—to—air basis.
As Singapore’s national broadcaster, it needs to balance between catering to viewers’ needs and the returns from advertising revenues that will fund the telecast of the matches.
The latest development spelt good news for fans.
Said one man in the street: “Half a loaf is better than none, isn’t it?”
Another football fan said: “I think that will be good because if SingTel or StarHub get the bid, we need to pay.”
“Why should we suffer because of some corporate fight, that’s not fair, that’s not really fair, we should be able to watch everything,” said another man in the street.
In 2006, MediaCorp telecast four World Cup matches — the opening, two semi—finals and the final game on its free—to—air channels.
Source: CNA
Four MediaCorp radio stations back on Internet
Dec 1st
After a nine-month hiatus, online fans of four MediaCorp radio stations can once again get their daily fix from the Internet – thanks to an agreement between the media giant and the Recording Industry Performance Singapore (Rips).
From Tuesday, listeners can enjoy the audio fare from 987FM, Class 95FM, Lush 99.5FM and Y.E.S. 93.3FM via “live” broadcasts online, making these stations accessible to even overseas listeners.
Simulcasts of free-to-air radio broadcasts over the Internet were suspended in March after changes to the law which made these streams subject to copyright licensing.
“We are very happy to be able to re-launch our radio stations on the Internet. Many of our listeners have been asking us to bring back our Internet radio simulcasts as they had become accustomed to listening to the radio while working on their computers,” said MediaCorp Radio managing director Florence Lian.
“Singaporeans abroad also want to tune in so that they can keep abreast with what is going on back home.”
Rips general manager Barbara Wong said her organisation, which administers Internet simulcast licences for the major recording labels here, was “very pleased” to conclude the licensing arrangement with MediaCorp.
Said Ms Wong: “We congratulate MediaCorp on being the first Singaporean radio broadcaster to do so, reaffirming MediaCorp’s leadership in the industry, its willingness to embrace new technologies and to listen to its customers.”
Under the new licensing agreement, MediaCorp has the option to expand Internet simulcasts to more of its radio stations in future.
“Economic conditions will determine our business decisions in this space so we will be studying that closely,” Ms Lian said.
Source: CNA
