The World Cup fever is in full bloom, pushing RS’s overall business forward. One month after its World Cup box has been released to the market, more than 300,000 boxes have been sold, and the company is confident that the sale will meet the target of one million boxes. Thai people, for the first time ever, will be able to enjoy World Cup content 24 hours a day through the special channel World Cup Channel under the concept “World Cup Channel for real football fans”. The channel features all 64 matches, reruns and highlight programs.
Mrs.Pornpan Techarungchaikul, Chief Operating Officer of RS Public Company Limited, revealed that despite the political unrest, the business sector is moving forward. It is expected that the 20th World Cup or the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, which will kick off on June 12, will be the event of the quarter that will boost the economy in both industry and household scales, generating a big buzz in every sector after the quiet first quarter this year. The Center for Economic and Business Forecasting, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, estimates that during the World Cup period this year, 50-60 billion baht will be spent in food, entertainment products, electrical appliances to watch the matches and advertisements for related products and services.
After the company released its World Cup box to the market mid April this year, the feedback has been great as expected because the price is only 1,590 baht each, quite a bargain compared to the featured content. At present, over 300,000 boxes have been sold. RS is confident that the sale will meet the target of one million boxes, particularly because consumers like to make last-minute decisions and buy the boxes just before the World Cup 2014 begins. Today, most Thai people are familiar with satellite TV boxes because they are convenient and can be plugged in instantly to replace the existing one.
Recently, the company has unveiled a special channel World Cup Channel, which will be aired from today until July 20, 2014 on channel 0, 5 and 89 on World Cup Box and Sun Box, and channel 333 on PSI O2 Digital. The channel’s concept is “World Cup Channel for real football fans”. It features all the 64 matches of World Cup 2014, especially Big Matches, as well as reruns the following day. There will also be exclusive content licensed by FIFA available only on this channel, as well as new programs that will change the experience of World Cup in Thailand. The programs run 24 hours a day, and it is expected that the programs will help push the sale of the World Cup Box to reach its target faster. This year, Thai viewers are very likely to be among the top 10 countries that follow this special event. However, the method of viewing might chance because of the broadcasting time, which is why World Cup channel will air reruns of every match.
The highlight programs of the channel include licensed programs from FIFA such as World Cup Top 10 featuring 10 most beautiful goals, passes, and saves, Highlight World Cup featuring exciting moments of the World Cup 2014, Fan Zone which allows the viewers to call in and win prizes, and Match Ruam Hit World Cup featuring great matches from World Cup 2010. In-house programs include Sen Tarng Soo Champ Lok (Route to World Championship) which presents each country’s story in that have passed the qualifying rounds, World Cup Daily which gives updates about World Cup 2014 on a daily basis, Kui Kang Sanam Ball Lok (Stadium-side Talk) which follows the news of FIFA World Cup 2014, and Inside World Cup 2014 which offers in-depth stories about the World Cup 2014. Each program features leading voice talents, celebrities and sport gurus such as Sutita Hirunya, Pachara Panyayong, Tana Limpayaraya, Wiyada Peerarattakul, Werapol Temchotikosol, Thanapat Duangjit, Yolnakan Kronnatavee and Sarut Vituvinit.
Those who already have Sun Box can pay one-time fee of 299 baht to access these programs. HD content is available on PSI O2 Digital HD box. AIS 3G 2100 users can also view the content by joining the campaign AIS Let's Goal Brazil 2014. For more information, call 1781.
Additionally, Toyota Motor Thailand has become an official sponsor of the World Cup 2014 broadcast in Thailand. It is the fifth official sponsor, surpassing the goal of having four official sponsors namely Coca-Cola Thailand, Chang, AIS 3G 2100 and PTT Group.