SingTel Hints at Fee Changes For BPL ...

[VellfireS]

MDA has announced an exemption of bundled packages being cross-carried while SingTel as exclusive rights holders released new pricing plans for cross-carriage EPL content

 

The long-drawn out battle over the rights to broadcast the English Premier League (EPL) in Singapore appeared to be finally over after Minister for Communications and Information, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim's rejection of SingNet's April 26 appeal over the Media Development Authority's (MDA) enforced cross-carriage rule.

 

But football fans in Singapore will have a lot more to be concerned about following the announcement of the new price package for the EPL standalone content that will be cross-carried on both SingTel and StarHub.

 

MDA released a press release on Friday July 27, announcing their final decision following deliberation of SingNet's filing of an exemption request earlier this month under Paragraph 2.7.1 (a) of the Code of Practice for Market Conduct which asked that StarHub only cross-carry the channel package containing EPL content (Standalone EPL content), instead of cross-carrying channel packages containing EPL content and other non-EPL content as part of an 'EPL Bundle'.

 

The exemption request was upheld by the MDA on the grounds of public and media interest, with StarHub also agreeing with the decision. The ruling will ensure that fans who want to subscribe to watch the EPL need only purchase the Standalone EPL content instead of bundled packages that might contain duplicate channels on cross-carriage platform.

 

Under cross-carriage rules, the holder of the exclusive rights to the content, SingTel, sets the pricing of the package. SingTel had earlier stated that an enforced cross-carriage ruling will affect the projected revenue from exclusive broadcast and lead to higher pricing.

 

On Friday, SingTel released the new pricing for its content. The much-anticipated Standalone EPL package is available for S$59.90 on both mioTV and StarHub. A similar Sports Pack from mioTV which included EPL content was available for just S$34.90 last year.

 

In comparison, mioTV's Gold Packs which has over 80 channels including EPL, other sports, entertainment and more is available for just S$64.90.

 

With the steep difference in pricing, which already has some football fans up in arms, more dispute could still be in the offing.

 

In a media statement just prior to the announcement of SingTel's pricing, Ms Jeannie Ong, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, StarHub, said: "To ensure that cross carriage works successfully to give customers real choice, it is important for MDA to ensure that the pricing for the EPL packages is non-discriminatory. No customer should be disadvantaged whether he chooses to view the football matches on StarHub

[Toothiewabbit]

Adios Mio TV

[Evillusion]

In a media statement just prior to the announcement of SingTel's pricing, Ms Jeannie Ong, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations, StarHub, said: "To ensure that cross carriage works successfully to give customers real choice, it is important for MDA to ensure that the pricing for the EPL packages is non-discriminatory. No customer should be disadvantaged whether he chooses to view the football matches on StarHub

[VellfireS]

Now! to see whether Starhub really meant what it says above! If pricing same...we can really say knn to them both!

haha.. yeah man.. but acherlee.. honestly speaking.. I'll rather pay for StarHub.. even if price same..

[Joseph22]

Now! to see whether Starhub really meant what it says above! If pricing same...we can really say knn to them both!

Pricing have to be the same as this price is set by Singtel.

[Lala81]

Erm the channels and all that are all from Singtel. I dunno if reliability would actually improve on starhub side.

[Hshs]

I had expected EPL subscription to increase annually even if both telcos able to show EPL (thks to Singtel for its generous offer for the exclusive rights previously). But to increase by 71% is too much by Singtel.

 

Have not subscibe to EPL since switchover to them. This time round I'm sure there will be even more people who will cancel the subsciption, only a matter of how many. There will always be people who can't live without EPL so will pay even if $200 a month. So I gues those people who subscribe to the new package is to cover the loss of those who unsubscribe. Sky TV must be laughing all the way to the bank, a small country like ours willing to pay enormous amount for the rights.

 

Now waiting for Starubh to reveal its price. Guess they can't price lower than Singtel, maybe offer other perks instead

About $15 per week. How many match can you watch per week?

Still never inculde Jun to mid-Aug without any EPL match.

Even with CL and other. Due to different time zone I also hardly watch.

Imho, just not worth it even come with other channel and discount.

I am a die hard EPL fan. But I will cancel the subsciption.

 

 

 

[SLSAMG88]

Adios Mio TV

I don't think so...if you goto Starhub, have to pay at least 59.90...if you are on a contract or an existing rolling contract with Mio - just stick to that, you pay the same price you are currently paying, which is $25 for me, $35 for some others...

[Scion]

i dun understand...

 

what's the purpose of having two competitors when the price remains the same?

 

just like the petrol companies

 

this is just a distorted monopoly in a free market... really rubbish

[Hshs]

just to add my 2 cents in case singtel or starhub pple come here to see feedback

 

i use starhub, stopped watching cable football ever since singtel got exclusive bpl rights

 

now im still deciding whether or not to subscribe to singtel, but only through starhub.

 

singtel i think has generated too much ill will over the exclusive bpl thing. even though my head says additional mio TV box more worth it, my heart dont want to give singtel the additional 5 bucks

 

suck it! it's bad enough that we consumers are the ultimate bailouts for singtel's epic stupidity with such an enormous bid!!!

Singtel are not stupid. They know still got many Singaporean can't live without EPL.

 

[Dafansu]

Pricing is same as Starhub subscriber need to apply directly through Singtel and make payment to Singtel directly. It's stated in Starhub latest FAQ

 

http://www.starhub.com/crosscarriage.html

[Damienic]

Pricing have to be the same as this price is set by Singtel.

 

Pricing for the BPL telecast have to be the same but Starhub can offer bundled pricing if I'm not wrong.

 

Meaning, say basic + 1 channel usually cost $35. And EPL telecast is $59.90. So by right the customer have to pay S$94.90 if they want to have both. Starhub can offer say a $10 discount at $84.90 on condition that customer take EPL + basic + 1 more channel. If just EPL + basic, there will be no discount. Something like that. Essentially it is still the same price set by Singtel at $59.90 but Starhub can set it in such a way that it looks like they are giving discounts for subscription of their own programs.

[Toothiewabbit]

I don't think so...if you goto Starhub, have to pay at least 59.90...if you are on a contract or an existing rolling contract with Mio - just stick to that, you pay the same price you are currently paying, which is $25 for me, $35 for some others...

Pricing may be a factor for some but content counts for others. MIO TV content

[Galantspeedz]

Erm the channels and all that are all from Singtel. I dunno if reliability would actually improve on starhub side.

 

read between the lines, in the starhub FAQ

 

 

5. Is there any difference between watching BPL on mio TV and StarHub TV?

 

There is no difference in the content or experience whether customers watch on StarHub TV set-top boxes or mio TV set-top boxes. The BPL channels will only be available on the set-top box which you have opted for.

 

To enjoy uninterrupted viewing of the BPL matches, we strongly encourage you to subscribe the BPL channels and watch it using your StarHub TV set-top box.

 

[Lala81]

read between the lines, in the starhub FAQ

 

 

5. Is there any difference between watching BPL on mio TV and StarHub TV?

 

There is no difference in the content or experience whether customers watch on StarHub TV set-top boxes or mio TV set-top boxes. The BPL channels will only be available on the set-top box which you have opted for.

 

To enjoy uninterrupted viewing of the BPL matches, we strongly encourage you to subscribe the BPL channels and watch it using your StarHub TV set-top box.

 

does starhub receive the feed from singtel via satellite direct or what?

or else it's potaetoe vs potahto

[Raymondism]

Singtel are not stupid. They know still got many Singaporean can't live without EPL.

they forgot that singaporeans are not stupid as well....

[Hshs]

they forgot that singaporeans are not stupid as well....

Let see how many are not stupid

[Joseph22]

i dun understand...

 

what's the purpose of having two competitors when the price remains the same?

 

just like the petrol companies

 

this is just a distorted monopoly in a free market... really rubbish

 

Because SH have no right to the channel.

 

unless SH have a right by itself then yes they can set the different price.

 

however, the issue is that ST apparently signed an agreement with BPL that if they were to sell the rights to another local content provider, there is either some penalty on BPL or BPL can only sell a sub-par deal with the other content provider.

 

http://www.starhub.com/crosscarriage.html

. Why do I need to contact SingTel for the subscription to BPL channels on my StarHub TV set-top box?

 

As SingTel owns the broadcast rights for BPL, customers who wish to watch BPL on their StarHub TV set top will need to sign up directly with SingTel.

 

The BPL channels will be billed directly by SingTel. For other StarHub TV content subscription, your subscription charges will continue to be billed directly by StarHub.