Answer for Oral Question PL234

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin

YANG BERHORMAT PENGIRAN HAJI ISA BIN PENGIRAN HAJI ALIUDDIN requested the MENTERI DI JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI to state Radio Television Brunei’s (RTB) plans to explore sources of income through Broadcasting Rights or Media Rights by broadcasting Liga Super Brunei matches live and via streaming platforms. This initiative not only has the potential to generate revenue, but could also support the development of the local football industry and expand the national sports’ reach to audiences.

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri

RTB, as the official broadcaster of the Government, continues to support the development of the local football industry through news coverage, sports programmes and the broadcasting of major tournaments. RTB also collaborates with the Football Association of Brunei Darussalam (FABD) in coordinating coverage of football matches held both domestically and abroad.

At present, RTB covers all Liga Super Brunei matches through radio and television news reports, the daily sports programme 'Arena', as well as the dissemination of match results via RTB radio broadcasts and digital platforms, to ensure that the public continues to receive the latest developments concerning the local league.

Regarding the proposal to explore Broadcasting Rights or Media Rights, RTB certainly welcomes this approach as an opportunity to expand local sports coverage, increase the commercial value of local content and explore new sources of income. However, its implementation requires comprehensive assessment to ensure that it is viable and sustainable.

Among the matters that need to be considered are the potential commercial returns in relation to production costs, audience demand and reach, operational capabilities, manpower requirements, broadcasting technical facilities, as well as cooperation with rights holders, organisers and strategic partners.

At present, RTB is not yet able to broadcast every Liga Super Brunei match live. By way of illustration, a live broadcast of one match requires an Outside Broadcast Television (OBTV) facility, specialised technical equipment and approximately 35 to 45 personnel, with estimated operating costs of around BND50,000 to BND60,000 for each coverage, depending on production requirements.

At the same time, RTB, as the official broadcaster of the Government, also needs to balance the use of its broadcasting assets and manpower to fulfil the priority of covering national events, official Government functions and other broadcasting commitments.

From a commercial perspective, the broadcasting of a sports league needs to be assessed based on the balance between production costs and the potential revenue that can be generated through advertising, sponsorship or an appropriate revenue-sharing model. This approach is important to ensure that the broadcasting can be carried out sustainably.

Broadcasting a sports league such as Liga Super Brunei is a commercial decision, whereby the revenue generated must offset the production and broadcasting costs.

For example, the broadcasting of international sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games is based on high levels of audience demand and the potential to generate advertising revenue. The same approach needs to be applied when assessing the feasibility of broadcasting Liga Super Brunei matches live.

Moving forward, RTB will continue to explore opportunities for collaboration with FABD, the private sector and strategic partners to expand local sports coverage, including assessing the use of digital streaming platforms and more cost-effective cooperation models. This approach has the potential to increase audience reach, strengthen the development of the local football industry and, at the same time, create opportunities for generating new revenue.