A joint SingTel-Starhub bid has failed to secure them the rights to the 2010 Fifa World Cup; a joint press statement from them said.
Recently, SingTel and StarHub put in a joint offer that would provide FIFA with an increase in value from four years ago for the rights to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, while ensuring that it would remain affordable to the broadest number of our customers.
In an attempt to reach a value that is acceptable to FIFA to bring World Cup to Singapore, the price offered to FIFA would sacrifice all World Cup margins for both SingTel and StarHub while keeping the price affordable for consumers. However, we have yet to reach an agreement with FIFA.
Due to FIFA’s confidentiality provisions, we are unable to disclose any other details. We will continue to negotiate with FIFA in an attempt to reach an agreement.
As joint bid means both did not get the rights to telecast the FIFA World Cup 2010, the only possibility is that Singapore will get to watch the 4 most important matches on Free to Air channels. That is the opening game between host South Africa and Mexico on June 11, the semi-finals on July 6 and 7, and the final on July 11 will be available for free.