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Published on December 7, 2007

RS International Broadcasting and Sport Management (RSBS) expects to generate revenue of Bt600 million next year on the back of a major sports broadcasting deal.

The company, a subsidiary of major entertainment firm RS, was set up a year ago.

RS chief executive Surachai Chetchotisak yesterday said RSBS would be the only Thai firm with the right to broadcast all Euro 2008 matches through its TV partners, Channel 7 and MCOT, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies in the world's second-largest football tournament.

RS will also conduct marketing activities from next month through its media, entertainment and event-management subsidiaries to build Euro fever. Singers, actors and actresses from RS will feature in the campaigns.

RSBS will broadcast 17 TV programmes from January to March featuring in-depth analysis of each team and each game, preparations of each team, the atmosphere in host nations Austria and Switzerland and each team's history.

RSBS is negotiating with 10 potential sponsors for all its activities relating to Euro 2008 and is investing almost Bt400 million in preparing for the tournament.

Surachai said RSBS had big potential, as he was not aware of any other Thai company conducting similar business. Many companies simply have analysis programmes and cannot integrate media channels with their activities.

After Euro 2008, RSBS will start preparing for the SEA Games 2009 in Laos, 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa and 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil. The company expects the two World Cups to contribute as much as Bt1 billion in combined revenue.

Surachai said the company's revenue would not swing dramatically during years with no major sporting events, as it also has the rights to provide content and marketing management for medium-sized sports events.

The company might bring the world's best football teams to play in Thailand or cooperate with other organisations to arrange sports events.

Nitida Asawanipont

 The Nation