Serbia's World Cup broadcast sparks outrage: Public service airs limited matches as cable channel dominates

Football fans in Serbia are facing an unprecedented situation this World Cup, as the national public broadcaster, RTS, is not showing all the matches. For the first time in history, only those with cable television subscriptions can watch the entire tournament, with exclusive rights held by Arena Sport.

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There, down where they don't have cable television and don't get Arena, or only have RTS, they are in trouble.

Arena Sport, owned by the state-controlled Telekom Srbija, is broadcasting the matches, sharing a limited selection with RTS. This arrangement has sparked public outcry and accusations of privatization of sports broadcasting. Many citizens, particularly those without cable access, feel discriminated against and unable to follow their passion.

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Whoever pays can watch, whoever doesn't, cannot. Discrimination, I'd say.

Critics, including sports commentator Milojko Pantić, argue that politicians have effectively privatized football in Serbia. They claim that public money is being used to control access to major sporting events, with the state-owned Arena Sport dictating terms. This contrasts sharply with neighboring countries like Montenegro and Slovenia, whose public broadcasters secured rights to show all matches, and even Bosnia and Herzegovina, which received assistance from Serbia to broadcast their national team's games.

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Is that something new to you? We've seen this a hundred times, so there are no surprises.

Vladimir Živanović, editor at TV Nova, questioned why RTS allowed itself to become a secondary broadcaster for such a major event, emphasizing that public interest in football extends beyond just the national team's participation. The situation highlights a growing trend where lucrative broadcasting rights are increasingly falling into the hands of private or state-affiliated cable companies, leaving traditional public services with limited access.

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It's a novelty that they can be sold to cable televisions and that cable televisions are even the primary holders of those rights. What is important in this case is why RTS allowed itself to be a secondary television for such a major sporting event. The fact that our national team isn't playing doesn't mean people aren't interested in football.