SEA Games TV deal causes stir

Thai netizens have come out against the purchase of live broadcasting rights for the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, to be hosted by Cambodia in May, following reports Thailand needs to fork out 28 million baht to air the event.

Vath Chomroeun, secretary-general of the Cambodia SEA Games Organising Committee (Camsoc), has denied the host nation plays any role in deciding what the cost of the rights should be, and the sum is determined by negotiation, market value and the size of the expected audience, which varies by nation.

“We always stay in line with SEA Games standards,” Mr Vath told reporters.

Citing an unnamed source, a media outlet said the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) is requesting funding from the National Radio and Telecommunications Commission’s research…