Anticipating Live EPL Matches

As mentioned in my previous post, one of the only entertainment I have in Palembang is watching live EPL (English Premier League) football matches on TV.

Due to the broadcasting rights problems of my satellite TV provider, I have missed the opening matches since the EPL started on 16 Aug 2008. My current ASTRO channels do not have any live matches nor EPL highlights like last year and this is truly a disappointment until I had to reevaluate whether I need to continue to subscribe to ASTRO.

From what I heard, AORA TV (the only official EPL broadcaster in Indonesia at the moment) is a spin off from ASTRO Indonesia. This is because of problems between the 2 ASTRO companies in Malaysia and Indonesia fighting for the broadcasting rights.

When I called the contractor about installation details for AORA TV, the person informed me to wait until September 5, 2008 because ASTRO Indonesia will be making an announcement to determine whether ASTRO will continue to air live EPL matches for the 2008/2009 season or AORA TV will have their exclusive rights. SEPTEMBER 5, 2008 will be remembered as one CRITICAL DATE to determine whether I should cut down on my current ASTRO channels and subscribe to AORA TV.....

Entertainment Frustrations In Indonesia

Since moving to Indonesia, we have discovered that entertainment here is very limited compared to Malaysia. Especially in a smaller city like Palembang, when you Googled "entertainment palembang", you will get either Novotel Hotel at Palembang or Palembang Square Mall!

It's true that Novotel Hotel is one of our sources of entertainment because we go the gym, swim and dine in that place. They also have a karaoke lounge and bar....one of the better hotels in Palembang.

Palembang only have 4 big shopping malls (Palembang Trade Center, Palembang Square, Palembang Indah Mall & International Plaza).

Recently we wanted to watch Beijing Olympics on cable TV but none of the cable suppliers have live broadcasting rights! My wife was truly disappointed as we thought we were able to watch this glorious global event live on TV but no!

I am a fan of the English Premier League (EPL) and used to watch live football matches from England last year on our satellite TV. But this year, all the satellite / cable TV suppliers and local TV got stripped of live EPL broadcasting rights and only one new sat TV supplier AORA TV has exclusive rights! I did not want to subscribe to this new service because it only has 7 channels!

What on earth is happenning?? I have been deprived of all my sources of entertainment and left with my slow 100mbps broadband internet!!