Lebanese cry foul over steep $200 viewing fee to see 2014 World Cup games

The latest report by Al-Monitor is another testament to how businesses would go through lengths to milk whatever revenue opportunity they can from the World Cup, even at the expense of their own customers.

As one of the countries who are avid fans of the global football tournament, Lebanon has somewhat overlooked more critical national issues and had zeroed their attention on how to watch the matches of the 2014 World Cup. Since Qatari company Sama has announced on May 21 to encrypt broadcasting of the World Cup tournament and demand a $200 viewing fee per household and a larger fee for shops and businesses, Lebanon has been up in arms as to the business move, as Al-Monitor said the country was not used to things that are being subject to control. Things began to be more difficult when Sama had only allotted a limited number of broadcasting cards in Lebanon, which drove the prices of the cards in the black market to as high as $500 per card.

The Lebanese Ministry of Information reportedly realized the market manipulation the broadcaster have done, and had requested Sama to grant the country at least television exclusive rights to broadcast the football games via its state-backed television channel. However, given the fact that Lebanon does not have a president since May 25, attempts to prevent Sama from unintentionally influencing the market prices for the broadcasting cards were futile.

Al-Monitor also said that even government ministers have even resorted by encouraging people to violate laws by cracking the encrypted broadcast and telling those who have cracked the code to share it to the people.

"However, this matter has been put forth within a sectarian framework, as the minister confirmed that he had received information saying that cable distributors in Lebanese Shiite areas have managed to crack the code on the Qatari television channels, with the help of technicians affiliated with Hezbollah. The minister demanded that all Lebanese be given equal chances to watch the games, either by helping everyone to crack the code or ban the broadcasting of the games (via cracked codes) in "Hezbollah's areas." Al-Monitor obtained confirmed information that this request was met with a smile by the rest of the ministers, who disregarded the issue, as they are already at odds on how to manage their affairs, which is the main cause of the government's disruption."

It is not known whether Lebanon has an established law that enforces the free broadcast of major events in public channels, just like some of the countries has in place. However, should the information is true, the Lebanese government would be willing to overlook business law violations in the name of global football.

Tags

Sama, Lebanon, 2014 World Cup Lebanon broadcast

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