Vietnam Television (VTV) has announced it will be stopping free-to-air broadcasting of English Premier League football matches due to price negotiation failures. "For months, VTV negotiated with ESPN Star Sports, the owner of exclusive broadcast rights of EPL across Asia – to retain live coverage on its channel for the leagues three upcoming seasons, 2007-2010. But the Singapore-based agency pushed the price up too high for Vietnam ... VTV and Ho Chi Minh City Television, two of Vietnam’s largest television stations, told the media they will not buy the rights from any exclusive intermediary in Vietnam, suggesting that prices come too high through third parties," Thanh Nien newspaper reported.
VTV managing vice director Tran Dang Tuan later revealed that the possibility of reaching a contract with ESPN Star Sports is not completely closed. He said his agency is willing to do business on the basis of a fair contract and confirmed that VTV will not participate in a bidding war.
VTV managing vice director Tran Dang Tuan later revealed that the possibility of reaching a contract with ESPN Star Sports is not completely closed. He said his agency is willing to do business on the basis of a fair contract and confirmed that VTV will not participate in a bidding war.