New York-based IMG has won the English Premier League (EPL) telecast rights in Vietnam for three consecutive seasons starting 2013, but local TV stations remained calm over the loss. A spokesperson of IMG, originally known as the International Management Group, confirmed the rights acquisition, but refused to elaborate on the exact expense it spent on the three-season contract. It has been reported however that the global sports and media business has sunk as much as US$35 million for the deal, four times higher the $8 million Italian MP&Silva bid to win the rights for the previous three seasons. IMG also refused to comment on the information. Earlier national broadcaster VTV, MP&Silva, and ESPN have joined in the race to acquire the EPL TV rights in Vietnam. Local TV networks however appeared unruffled following the loss to IMG. Trinh Long Vu, head of VTV’s cable TV editorial board (VCTV), said his institution has to wait for the price bidding of IMG in order to decide next move. “It’s not until next August will we have to make the final decision, so we still have as many as nine months to consider whether we should buy the rights or not; and how much we should spend on the deal,” he said. Digital TV provider VTC also said it will have to consider on whether or not to acquire the rights from IMG. “VTC will not buy the rights at all cost,” said deputy director Vu Quang Huy. “As IMG refused to confirm the $35 million deal, I hope the real expense is lower than that rate,” he added. A TV rights expert said IMG may divide the EPL rights into different packages and resell to the Vietnamese pay TV providers at various prices. The US company is expected to arrive in Vietnam next week to negotiate with the local TV networks on the issue.
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