November 16, 2012: Cable Thai Holding is set to became the country’s largest subscription-based TV operator with 7 million subscribers by 2015 after having acquired the broadcasting rights for the English Premier League soccer matches for the next three seasons.
Yesterday, CTH announced that it had won the tender for broadcasting rights to the EPL in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos for three seasons starting from season 2013-14 to 2015-16. The company beat current rights holder TrueVisions and other rivals GMM Grammy, RS and Malaysia-based Cubic Associated.
An industry source estimated that CTH had offered more than Bt9 billion to win the bid.
Chairman Wichai Thongtang declined to disclose how much his company had bid for the media rights but he believed that his company would be able to maximise profits from the sports content.
“Bank loans will be a key source of funds to pay for the EPL broadcasting rights,” Wichai added.
He said the company would work on a marketing plan immediately after chief executive officer Kittsanan Ngampatipong returns from London. The marketing plan for the EPL will be announced early next year.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/7-million-CTH-subscribers-seen-on-EPL-deal-30194439.html