VTV does not share clean AFF Cup 2018 channels

• AFF Cup 2018 schedule of Vietnam team

Right at the time when the Vietnamese Olympic team was competing in the 2018 ASIAD, Lagardere Sports Company announced information about the television stations with the copyright to broadcast the 2018 AFF Cup, of which in Vietnam it is VTV.

The copyright provider of AFF Cup 2018 said VTV has officially signed a contract to purchase the copyright package of AFF Cup 2018 on the terrestrial broadcasting infrastructure and will broadcast on VTV6 channel.

According to some sources, VTV purchased a broadcast package to produce content and was allowed to broadcast VTV channels on OTT infrastructure. According to the regulations of this copyright package, VTV is not allowed to broadcast on social networks, is not allowed to share clips about the tournament, is not allowed to share clean waves with TV stations, and is not allowed to grant rebroadcast rights to other stations.

"Pay TV infrastructures that already have VTV channels are still allowed to broadcast VTV6, but VTV does not have the right to license other TV stations to rebroadcast VTV6," the source said. This means that online newspapers will not be allowed to cut clips under 90 seconds, as VTV allowed at the 2018 World Cup or EURO 2016.

VTV will not be allowed to share clean airwaves of AFF Cup 2018 with other stations.

In addition, this strict regulation means that some TV stations will not be licensed to broadcast the AFF Cup 2018 from VTV. Online newspapers, mobile applications, cable TV... also face difficulties in using video clips to make sideline news and commentary programs at matches with the Vietnamese team participating.

It is known that currently, in addition to the broadcast package that VTV has purchased, there is still a second copyright package (broadcast package on satellite, cable, IPTV, OTT infrastructure) that no television unit in Vietnam has purchased. VTV not purchasing the exclusive package will create opportunities for a number of other television units in Vietnam to negotiate to purchase the copyright package for broadcasting on multiple platforms.

The 2018 AFF Cup will take place from November 8 to December 15, with VTV broadcasting all 28 matches. From 2018, the 2018 AFF Cup will apply a new home-away format, bringing more matches to the participating teams, while also creating opportunities for fans to cheer for the national team right at home.