Local broadcaster Cambodian Television Network (CTN) has announced the acquisition of exclusive free-to-air and pay-TV rights to screen the 2014 FIFA World Cup live from Brazil.

The company, owned by the Royal Group and operated by Cambodian Broadcast Service (CBS), outbid other TV stations to secure their second successive rights to the quadrennial tournament after South Africa’s 2010 edition.

“The total amount in US dollars was significantly higher than the last World Cup, however, CTN is unable to disclose the value,” CBS general manager Bernard Anthony told the Post.

“CTN’s impressive track record of airing major sporting events helped close the FIFA World Cup deal. Our [experience in broadcasting] the 2010 World Cup taught us the importance of detail when covering FIFA events – FIFA is very strict on detail. The expectation is that we carry through on their standards in their entirety.”

Anthony noted that World Cup coverage, set to be run on both CTN and its sister channel MyTV, would extend well beyond the actual tournament, with official FIFA football events during the build-up to next summer being partially or fully covered by the station.

Such events include the ongoing 2013 Confederations Cup and 2013 U20 World Cup, the 2013 Beach Soccer World Cup in September and the 2013 U17 World Cup in November and December.

According to the CBS manager, “Road to the FIFA World Cup” programming would begin during the second quarter or 2014 with the usual CTN experts and commentators, plus a few new presenters.

“There will be exciting preview programs before the competition and CTN’s sports team will be using its impressive knowledge of football to provide up-to-the-minute analysis and predictions,” Anthony said.

Live matches from the World Cup are set to be broadcast between the hours of 11pm and 7am Cambodian time, something which Anthony claims will affect all but hardcore fans and students.

“We expect that more viewers may stay tuned for repeats on both CTN and MyTV. The repeats [will be] in non-prime time slots and vary across the channels,” he added.

“Definitely, Cambodian football fans can expect to experience more with CTN and MyTV this time. CBS is currently working with sponsor partners on details, including the possibility of sending a lucky fan to the finals in Brazil.”