BLV Quang Huy comments on the Xoi Lac case: 'The audience's standards have become skewed'

The authorities' prosecution of dozens of individuals linked to the Xoi Lac TV system has not only captured the attention of the football fan community but has also opened up multiple perspectives on the television broadcasting rights market in Vietnam.

From the perspective of television economics, BLV Quang Huy believes this is a long-warned consequence. According to BLV Quang Huy speaking on the program The Champion: “What had to come has finally arrived, albeit belatedly.”. In his view, for many years, television stations have had to “bear the losses” when constructing their business models based on expensive rights fees, while “there are too many external variables that cannot be measured.”

In the television industry, broadcasting rights for major tournaments always represent a very costly investment. When acquiring rights, broadcasters must develop a detailed business plan, including revenue from subscriptions, advertising, and other content exploitation activities. “Producing good television doesn't necessarily mean attracting a large audience, because free viewing remains appealing to many people” - he added.

However, the existence of illegal streaming systems has completely disrupted this business structure. BLV Quang Huy stated that for many years, television stations have faced “external” factors they could neither control nor accurately measure.

Another issue emphasized by BLV Quang Huy is the unfairness in the operating environment. Legitimate television stations must strictly comply with legal regulations regarding advertising and broadcast content. Even when airing international matches, if images display illegal gambling advertisements, the broadcaster is forced to cut or process the signal to avoid violating regulations.

Meanwhile, illegal streaming platforms are not subject to any such controls. Many channels even openly read odds, promote, and entice viewers to participate in online betting during live matches. This not only impacts the television market but also harbors numerous social risks.

BLV Quang Huy also analyzed a key psychological factor among viewers. According to him, the ability to watch for free often generates significant goodwill. When not required to pay, many viewers easily overlook factors such as content quality or the platform's legality.“Free viewing naturally creates goodwill” - the veteran commentator shared.

However, BLV Quang Huy believes this is a misunderstanding of the nature of sports commentary. Based on his experience, many international television channels have maintained a standard commentary style for years. Commentators focus on the match's progression, pronounce player names accurately, provide professional analysis, and expand information at the right moments, rather than chasing excessive entertainment elements.

From BLV Quang Huy's perspective, the incident involving Xoi Lac TV is a significant milestone. It is not merely a story of copyright infringement enforcement but also an opportunity to re-establish order in Vietnam's sports television market. If illegal broadcasting is effectively controlled, rights holders will have the conditions to build more sustainable business models. This also contributes to creating a fair competitive environment where legitimate content producers are protected and encouraged to invest.

In the context of football's increasing professionalization, respecting television broadcasting rights is not only a legal requirement but also a crucial factor for the long-term development of the sports industry.