Indonesia orders TV energy shutdown, but soccer goes on
Indonesia has ordered TV stations to go off the air for four hours each night to conserve energy, but the soccer-mad nation need not worry about missing European matches – they have been exempted from the shutdown.
The move is one of a series of energy-conserving measures the government has ordered in recent days to try to blunt the effects of soaring international oil prices that risk blowing the fuel-importing country’s budget.
Indonesia’s 13 national stations are so far obeying the order to shut down between 1am and 5am for the next six months, despite being under no legal obligation to do so.
“We will honour this government order, but are very appreciative of the fact we can still show soccer,” said Danke Drajat, a spokesman for Rajawali Citra Television Indonesia, which plans to screen at least three late night matches a week when the European seasons kick off next month.
Live soccer matches from England, Spain and Italy are a night-time staple on several stations, and attract massive audiences. The stations have already signed contracts with the respective leagues.
