T

he largest sporting event in Southeast Asia, this year’s edition of the SEA Games will have huge media coverage after organizers announced an official list of 39 broadcasters from all 11 participating countries.

The Indonesian SEA Games Organizing Committee (INASOC) deputy for media and broadcast, Linda Wahyudi, said all 39 international and national broadcasters would air events over free-to-air, cable channels and Internet streaming.

“Today we held our first broadcasters’ meeting with 24 TV networks from 10 participating countries,” Linda said at a press conference Thursday.

She said Thailand and host Indonesia had the most broadcasters with eight TV channels covering the Games, while Vietnam would have five broadcasters, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore would have three broadcasters — including cable TV and live streaming.

“At the meeting, we informed the broadcasters on what we have to offer regarding broadcast activities during the Games. In return, they sought details on transportation and accommodation arrangements,” Linda said.

All media activity is expected to be centered at the Main Press Center and International Broadcast Center at the Bank Sumsel building in Palembang, South Sumatra, she said.

Co-host city Jakarta would also have media and broadcast centers, Linda added.

The Indonesian free-to-air broadcasters will be allowed to air coverage of 12 sports daily, Linda said.

The 12 sports are soccer, badminton, volleyball, athletics, traditional boat race, aquatics, gymnastics, boxing, basketball, weightlifting, wushu and tae kwon do.

Linda said live coverage from the venues would be produced at the Palembang broadcast center before being transferred to the Jakarta broadcast center.

“From Jakarta, we will broadcast free-to-air feed via satellite,” she said.

Toto Darmaji from the Games’ International Broadcast Center (IBC) said this was probably the last time such an event would be aired for free in Indonesia.

“Next time, we will likely charge for broadcasts,” he said.

Among the Indonesian broadcasters, official media partner MNC Group has the exclusive right to cover swimming, badminton, soccer, rhythmic gymnastics and traditional boat racing as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.

Kompas TV won the rights to stream volleyball and beach volleyball, while state broadcaster TVRI will air athletics and martial arts.

“We are in negotiations with Viva Group to determine which sports they can cover,” Linda said.

On Friday, international broadcasters will visit Palembang to inspect the progress of construction of Games venues.

An estimated 6,000 athletes are expected to compete in 545 events in 42 sports at the Games in November.