VTV2, VTV3 included in pay TV package

Users have to pay to watch VTV channels.

In early April, digital content streaming platforms (OTT apps) in Vietnam simultaneously converted VTV channels into paid channels. The program is classified as a basic program on the platform, but customers must purchase a subscription package to watch.

VTV1, along with Vietnam National Defense Television and People's Security, are among the essential national channels, so they are not included in this category.

Pay to watch VTV channel

On FPT Play, VTV channels were previously shown for free. However, after April 1, VTV2, VTV3, VTV4, VTV5, VTV7, VTV9, VTV5 Southwest, VTV5 Central Highlands were all included in the SMAX package, charging 66,000 VND/month. Similarly, users of the TV360 app must pay 50,000 VND/month to register for the Standard package to watch the above channels. On VieON, these programs are sold cheaper, from 30,000 VND/month. However, they were previously completely free.

Currently, domestic users who want to watch all VTV channels without paying have two options: VTVGo and SCTV Online. Currently, these platforms are still available for free.

VTV1, an essential channel, is still shown for free.

In mid-January, VTV channels disappeared from the OTT app. Among them, VTV2 and VTV3 channels of Vietnam Television were announced to be “temporarily suspended” on the Internet broadcasting network including FPT Play, TV360, and MyTV. According to the announcement from the providers, the problem stemmed from the fact that they had not reached an agreement with Vietnam Television.

There have been interruptions and inability to broadcast channels due to previous copyright agreements. During broadcasts of major sporting tournaments such as Euro, World Cup or matches of the Vietnamese football team, some services may not be able to broadcast VTV channels during the show if no agreement is reached.

VTV is no longer "free"

Previously, VTV channels were often included in the group of free programs on OTT applications. Users did not need to pay to watch the programs on the network.

According to information from VTV Times , since the end of November 2024, Vietnam Television (VTV) has proactively discussed with pay TV service providers to build a new cooperation model, ensuring harmony between the content value that VTV provides, production investment costs and the interests of audiences and businesses.

For units that have not reached an agreement, VTV affirmed that they "do not have the necessary legal basis to maintain signal provision for the entire VTV channel package". This has led to a number of VTV channels "disappearing" from many television applications in January.

Many VTV channels disappeared from OTT apps earlier this year.

As a National Television Station, VTV channels (including channels from VTV1 to VTV9, VTV Can Tho) are always the basic channel package, playing an important role in attracting subscribers, while bringing in large revenue for telecommunications and television businesses.

However, VTV believes that the copyright fees that TV service providers are paying do not reflect the true value of their content. This is the reason why in November 2024, VTV proactively negotiated with pay TV service providers to adjust the copyright fees.

VTV affirmed that this is an inevitable trend to have more resources to improve program quality and better serve the audience. "The journey to bring VTV content copyright fees closer to real value is a long and difficult journey, inevitably there are times when there is disagreement, but it is an inevitable trend to have resources to continue improving program quality to serve the audience", VTV representative shared.

After the meeting on January 20, all domestic OTT apps have regained the copyright of VTV channels. The fact that many units have switched to charging for programs from Vietnam Television may be part of the result of the above agreement.

Source: https://znews.vn/vtv2-vtv3-bi-dua-vao-goi-truyen-hinh-tra-tien-post1542437.html