So mioTV won the rights to televising English Premier League games, and I believe I’m not alone in saying that we, the sports fans of Singapore, are not happy.

First off, I don’t understand the need to have 2 pay TV providers. In a country where their combined market share isn’t even near 800,000 subscribers, was it really necessary to give us such options? I’m baffled. Perhaps I’m too ignorant to comprehend the economics of it all. The only thing that is clear to me right now is that many, many subscribers are going to have to work out the painful math of sustaining their interests, and still keep their budget for pay TV low.

Already, when StarHub revised their price plans earlier this year, my family and I spent hours contemplating all the options available to us. It was a complete hassle having to work something within our budget, and still be subscribed to enough packages that would please the different viewing tastes of the entire family. The process wasn’t pleasant (some sacrifices were made), but at least all our options were still restricted to that one company. Now that the entire sports platform has moved to a different company, not only do we have to contend with the fact that there will most likely be two pay TV services being run in the house, I foresee having to go through many hours of discussions, re-budgeting and what not all over again.

Why these two pay TV companies are offering completely different channels is beyond me. A quick look at FoxTel and Austar (since I’m most familiar with Australia’s pay TV) shows that both companies have common channels and offer similar packages. Some packages appear more competitive than the other, and I believe the technology is different(?) but otherwise, both offer enough options for any consumer to be happy. Our case? Because certain channels are exclusive to each company, many will pretty much end up subscribing to BOTH companies. So guess who has the last laugh? Yes, the state-owned company who is currently controlling both companies.

I would like to be able to declare my boycott of this new offering, and my being strong enough to forgo watching sports at home, instead heading down to a nearby cafe / coffee shop to get my regular dosage of EPL action. Alas, I know convenience will prevail and I’ll just cave and end up paying more for my TV. I think we all know who the real losers are.