"When you say $66 is high, let me just be clear that they pay about a dollar a game to watch in the comfort of their homes. I think it is reasonable. I think they can afford it. It is less than a cup of coffee," said SingTel's Edward Ying.Yeah, we can afford it, but why should we pay this price for it? I can afford to pay $100 for a cup of coffee too, but should I be paying $100? This is a silly argument from Singtel's CEO that displays a lack of tact and a disconnect with ground sentiments.
Instead of apologising to us for this entire fiasco, he paints himself as a white knight who has brought the World Cup to Singapore.
Problem is, we all knew it was coming, but it took so long because you inflated prices so we could all bleed to death for your profit margins.
It's even better when he said "I think they can afford it." Who are you to think for us? I have my own mind, and I prefer to use it so people like you don't tell me how to think.
And the Nescafe 3-in-1 coffee I drink definitely doesn't cost $1 per cup, assuming I watch all 64 matches so it's actually $1 per game.
It is just not reasonable considering even developed countries like Japan are paying $9 for this, and our neighbour Indonesia is getting it FREE. I find it even more hilarious that the Straits Times said that there were countries that were paying more, but did not offer any examples. Perhaps because there are NONE?
I guess it just looks bad that we are the idiots who are lining the pockets of FIFA because Singtel was crazy enough to outbid Starhub by $100 million for the English Premier League rights. Hello, outbid $1 also win, you outbid $100 million for what? Too much money ah? If you have too much money, then I hope this World Cup bleeds you to death, Mr Edward Ying.
I am a huge soccer fan, but I know what the limit is. And this certainly is the limit.
Unfortunately, Singaporeans are the type of people who will just pay and pay, and hence, we are destined to pay and pay until we start to think for ourselves again.