State Minister Yasser Khan: BTV to Broadcast World Cup at Nominal Cost

The good news that BTV had made arrangements to broadcast the World Cup for the people of Bangladesh had already been circulating through various channels. On Tuesday came the official announcement. At a well-organized press conference at the Secretariat, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury confirmed the acquisition of direct broadcasting rights from FIFA. Youth and Sports State Minister Aminul Haque and Prime Minister's Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman were also present.

Khan announced that Bangladesh Television (BTV) will broadcast all World Cup matches live at a nominal cost. In addition to BTV, two private channels and several OTT platforms will also permit the people of Bangladesh to watch the games.

The State Minister for Information said, "Through a highly transparent process and in accordance with Bangladesh's regulations, the final contract price for broadcasting this FIFA World Cup has been set at $3.85 million. In Bangladeshi Taka, this amounts to approximately Tk 47 crore, 25 lakh, 87 thousand, and 500. Including VAT and income tax, the total cost stands at Tk 63 crore, 79 lakh, and 93 thousand."

The broadcasting rights for the 2022 World Cup had raised many questions. A syndicate had forced BTV to purchase the rights at an exorbitant price and pocketed a huge sum. Learning from the past, the government was cautious about acquiring the rights this time. Initially, Singapore-based company Springbok, which had acquired the broadcasting rights for Bangladesh, reportedly offered BTV a deal worth around Tk 200 crore. After the government expressed its unwillingness to broadcast the World Cup at such a high cost, Springbok faced difficulties and subsequently failed to pay FIFA within the specified deadline, losing the rights.

Later, the government formed a three-member special committee, including Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) President Tabith Awal, to secure the rights through direct communication with FIFA. The government, the committee, BTV, two satellite channels, and several OTT platforms worked together to negotiate with FIFA and secured the rights at a lower cost.

"The good news for the public is that BTV does not have to pay this amount. We have been able to recover almost the entire sum by selling advertising and rights to Telco, satellite channels, and OTT platforms in accordance with regulations. BTV will broadcast World Cup matches at a nominal cost," the State Minister for Information said.

Expressing gratitude to BFF President Tabith Awal, the State Minister said, "We involved Bangladesh Football Federation President Tabith Awal in this process. Through days of meetings, complex negotiations, and bargaining, we were able to reach a point. Overcoming all complications, obstacles from conspiratorial quarters, and a long wait, millions of football-loving people in Bangladesh will now be able to watch the World Cup live on Bangladesh Television (BTV)."

The World Cup will begin on June 11 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. A total of 104 matches will be broadcast live on BTV, T Sports, and Somoy TV. Additionally, matches will also be available through subscriptions on multiple OTT platforms.