BTV to broadcast FIFA World Cup at nominal cost after securing rights for Tk 47.25 cr

Bangladesh Television (BTV) will broadcast the upcoming FIFA World Cup at a nominal cost after securing the broadcasting rights for Tk47.25 crore, State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury said on Tuesday.

BTV would not have to bear the cost from its own funds as the expenditure has largely been recovered through the sale of rights and advertising opportunities to various organizations, he said while speaking at a press conference on World Cup broadcasting rights at the Secretariat.

Youth and Sports State Minister Md Aminul Haque and the Prime Minister's Adviser on Information and Broadcasting Zahed Ur Rahman were also present at the event.

Yasser Khan said BTV had spent nearly Tk 100 crore to broadcast the 2022 FIFA World Cup, raising questions among the public regarding the transparency of the agreement.

When the current government assumed office, a company that had acquired the rights from FIFA initially demanded nearly Tk 200 crore for the broadcasting rights in Bangladesh, he said.

Calling the proposal unreasonable, the minister said the government decided not to proceed with the deal and instead initiated direct negotiations with FIFA.

As part of the process, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting involved the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) and its president Tabith Awal in discussions.

"After a series of marathon meetings, complex negotiations and extensive bargaining, we were able to reach an agreement," he said.

The minister described the achievement as a victory for transparency and accountability, adding that millions of football fans across the country would now be able to enjoy the World Cup live on the state-owned broadcaster.

The final agreement for the broadcasting rights was concluded at a cost of US$3.85 million, equivalent to approximately Tk 47.25 crore at the current exchange rate.

Including VAT and income tax, the total value of the agreement stands at around Tk 63.79 crore, he said.

The minister also said several organizations have already purchased World Cup broadcasting rights from BTV, including television channels T Sports and Somoy TV, telecom operators Grameenphone, Banglalink and Robi, and OTT platform iScreen.    �"UNB