You usually think that competition is good so how did we end up worse off when it comes to the EPL? The reason is both Starhub and SingTel were competing to be a monopoly for EPL broadcast. They were in a bidding war that can only result in a lousy deal for consumers.
Lucky Tan, on why consumers suffer in the Singtel-Starhub Bidding Wars
read my entry at http://blog.joshuawwy.com/?p=1718 for a cynical analysis of this bidding “war”
TCS should have improved its TV programs long ago, and bid for it and broadcast it without additional set-top box equipment.
Singtel initially try to squeeze Starhub and now also want to go into similar TV business. It should be reducing phone/internet charges and improve its internet speed.
Competition between Telcos and Transport companies seem to be very fake.
The Singapore market is just too small and controlled.
1 belon to his daughterinlaw
the other used to belon his 2nd smart son
either way we are screwed deadducks..
in hylam terms
ti di ghay…(sured die lioa)
if this were in europe.. a parliament/demo would be in progress…this rules are allowed…
opps when i says this rule is allowed..it was a misprint…NOT allowed
for example
smrt was meant to setup as a quality tracktrain services
its wasn’t meant to be add on to becum a buses/taxi operators
if this goes on smrt inc can also openned a hospitals/funeral parlour and a giant supermarkets with poorman insurances as well…
Something got to be done… If not, we will be paying more and more to watch soccer games..
Can’t they just share the EPL on both networks? So they dont need to outbid each other every couple of years…
Like the MSM journalists, all you people do not seem to realise that SingTel and StarHub are not the only people who can bid.
Remember ESPN owned the rights before StarHub outbid them? And we lost the commentary, analysis skills of John Dyke and co. Remember we got the services of another team?
Did you ever notice?
StarHub Cable programs are appearing on TV8 and Channel U after they been broadcasted? There are coordinations between StarHub and Media Corp. M1 CEO is going to StarHub to be CEO? StarHub or SingTel are GLCs and there is no real competition in Singapore, everything seems to be manipulated and regulated to ensure maximum profitability. Look at the transport and electricity/water companies, arent they GLCs?
Why did not they do us this favour (since there is no real competition) coordinate to avoid the bidding war and instead of making us pay more and more? What a joke, we are like the lambs waiting to be slaughtered.
Both are GLCs, both were out bidding each other
ended up the consumers getting worse off because
as profit-oriented companies, the are going pass down the costs.
Whats exactly is their point?
Why all of you like to complain. If cannot afford, don’t subscribe. Listen to BBC broadcast for free as mention by one reader in Today paper.
don’t subscribe….wean your addiction off….
turn off the tv when you see stupid ads that show 1 guy and 1 insanely beautiful chick and how the guy can ignore her to watch football…honestly who in the right mind can love football that much?
go out and play football…do other stuff….life is not about sitting infront of a box
screw them….
Love the reds, blues or whites???
got kopitiam downstairs…. serving good food, and good coffee…..cheap somemore
got bar serving drinks
which is funny, come to think of it.
In markets such as US and HK, the govt constitution or antitrust laws are meant to have consumers’ interest at heart.
Only in Uniquely Singapore, competition means consumers get more screwed.
Its up to consumers to bring it up to CASE and to some higher authority to that this “bidding war” and so-called competition is well-managed.
Otherwise, the only other way to make Singtel and Starhub understand the problem, is to stop completely. When they start losing money, then they realise the power of the consumer.
Or people should just stop watching tv and turn to the internet for more entertainment.
“Its up to consumers to bring it up to CASE and to some higher authority to that this “bidding war” and so-called competition is well-managed.”
Also another case of Uniquely Singapore because the ball-less CASE is run by a spineless MP who is only subservient to his party and to his pay.
The lack of real competition is really making cost high for the people…
in ROC, there are 115 channels charged at a ridiculous low rate. in ROC, telecommunication is rediculous cheap as the competitors tries to outdo one another. imagine free calls within the same network..
Im surprised at the complains of you lots. The thing is, Singtel hasnt roll out the pricing for next year’s EPL YET. Save your ammunitions for laters.
And as for the bidding, its totally stupid. There’s no value add to both bidders. We can only have so much of football fans in Spore unless the govt decide to import more fake foreigners.
Fot the record, Ive given up my EPL nights after SH raised their prices for the last time. At least I have more time to have other things to revolve around me than just football.
no matter what they will have alot of excuse of raising pricing …maybe being of the 1st year almost same as SH…2nd year on maybe a different pricing….anyway we shall see…
I have give up on SH and move on to watch EPL online(FOC) or at Pub….
Can this really be a first world country or one of the BEST city to live? Yes for the Ah Beng businessmen who have more money than sense.
Agreed, If both Singtel and Starhub are allowed to provide EPL contents then will consumers benefit.
again, the problem to all this is that Singapore is pro-business. and all that business, somehow, is owned by Singapore govt one way or another.
As opposed to a city like HK, where the govt looks out for the HK citizen, and everything is legislated to focus on the consumer. its written in their constitution, u see.
How many countries can have govt agencies becoming profit centres – eg LTA, who’s aim is to build and manage our transport system… they earn millions annually. Hospitals making money. Jurong Town Hall making money. etc etc etc.
so…thats how uniquely Singapore is.
I am a long time subscriber of starhub( formerly as scv) since 1995. Why?Look at our pathetic national tv,what choice do we have?I have since gave up the sports group in june this year,not because of the never ending price hike,it’s a matter of principle.We,consumers have been pushing around for far too long.Think of this,EPL,Euro champion league with singtel mio.I’m a Nba fan, as Espn will be with mio’s bundle of sports group,i will not be able to watch Any top notch basketball with starhub anymore.Spanish league,and German league with starhub,to me, it’s monopoly of two companies, not One!Any where in the world you are,you’ll not get crab deals like these in Singapore!I’VE ENOUGH!
19) OB marker
Only in uniquely singapore, will we have a pincer attack squeezing the people dry
I am no football fan. Just like the other spectator sport F1, seeing 20 cars zoom by 61 times, each time almost no diff from the last, I never could understand the thrill others get seeing a bunch of guys running after a ball for one and a half hours.
But I did enjoy it for the patriotic thrill of booing the other team during Msia Cups days live at the stadium, and the drinks, curry puff and keropok
Does anyone see it the way I do: the problem does not lie with Singtel nor Starhub, but EPL?
Money and Profit is what Singapore is all about. So it’s no wonder we have this so called war between Singtel and Star hub to acquire rights to telecast sports in singapore especially soccer cos that’s where the MONEY is.
It’s the suscribers who have to suffer not so much about the cost cos everything is going up, players salaries just like our ministers in the government and what we are facing is the cable boxes that will be a hassle. If everyone suscribes to both then you will have to have multiple boxes. So if you dont want your rooms to be a mess with all the cable lines and boxes then you have to make a choice. Either you have both or one or finally none at all!
But no matter what you choose or decide, it wont bother singtel or starhub cos they know there are hardcore people out there who will complain and whine but when the time comes, they will be suscribing to at least one. And the winner will be the one who can convince the people and offer the best deal in town as they say.
As for myself, I am just gonna to watch this years games and sports on my starhub and as I have not taken on mio I have given up on watching championship league games and you know something I have no withdrawal symptoms and no depressing. So you see if one sets ones mind to make a choice and live with it, anything is possible! Come next year I will decide about Starhub and Singtel but for now just enjoy our sports and chill out with a beer {brand of your choice, yet again}.