The World Cup Reaches the Archipelago

The 2026 World Cup is fast approaching. The Indonesian public has high hopes, but also a fundamental question: will TVRI's broadcasts truly reach all corners of the archipelago?

An opinion piece in Kompas Daily on April 23, 2026, titled "The World Cup and the Challenges of Networkless Zones," written by Abdul Rajak Babuntai, shows that the digital transformation of broadcasting still faces various challenges. Although the migration from analog to digital (ASO) has been carried out nationally since 2022, some areas still have very limited access.

This challenge underpins the strategic steps currently being implemented by TVRI, the official broadcasting rights holder for the 2026 World Cup in Indonesia. Beyond simply broadcasting, TVRI is tasked with ensuring and prioritizing access to quality, healthy information and entertainment for all levels of society, although this is not easy and requires a clear strategy.

TVRI recognizes that access gaps persist in some regions. Communities there are still struggling to access broadcasting, particularly in the frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged (3T) regions, and areas with difficult access to digital TV signals. This is the case in several broadcasting service areas in Aceh, North Sumatra, Sulawesi, Maluku, NTT, and Papua. However, TVRI continues to utilize an approach that combines infrastructure strength, collaboration, technology development, and policy intervention.

TVRI understands that blank spots are not just a technical issue, but also concern fair access to information. Various integrated approaches are being implemented. In terms of infrastructure, TVRI continues to accelerate the strengthening of priority transmission networks in various regions, through optimizing available budgets, including utilizing state financing schemes and non-tax state revenue sources (PNBP). Furthermore, the use of portable transmission is a quick solution to reach densely populated areas that have not been optimally served.

Collaboration with local governments, the Indonesian Broadcasting Corporation (LPP) of RRI (Regional Broadcasting Corporation), the Antara news agency, local cable TV operators, satellite (DTH) operators, and various other stakeholders is crucial and must be continuously improved. This approach emphasizes that public broadcasting is a shared responsibility, not solely the responsibility of one institution.

Community-based solutions have also been presented. The provision of broadcasts in public spaces such as village offices, schools, and public facilities like ports and airports serves as a concrete alternative for the community to continue enjoying the matches, even though individual access remains limited.

Innovation at the regulatory and technological levels is a key strategy that TVRI continues to implement to expand its reach, through the implementation of a Single Frequency Network (SFN), adjustments to technical parameters with the regulator (Komdigi), and trials of new technologies including 5G Broadcast and DVB Native IP (DVB-NIP). At the same time, direct outreach to the public is also being strengthened to ensure optimal broadcast access.

It's understandable that concerns have arisen about the potential for commercialization through digital platforms like Over the Top (OTT) and IPTV. Nevertheless, TVRI has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the main broadcast of the 2026 World Cup will continue to be free-to-air (FTA) through its terrestrial digital TV network. Currently, the service reaches 75.08 percent of Indonesia's population in 152 of the 225 broadcast service areas, and this coverage will continue to be gradually increased.

The utilization of digital platforms serves as a complement to expand public access, rather than to replace FTA broadcasts, and to limit or commercialize public viewing. The public need not worry that the right to enjoy free broadcasts will be eroded by commercial interests.

TVRI sees the World Cup as a strategic opportunity to strengthen digital sovereignty, particularly in national broadcasting. Amidst the rapid flow of global platforms and cross-border digital content, a strong state presence in public broadcasting is becoming increasingly relevant and necessary. With its strong national reach, support from new media platforms, and public mandate, TVRI will strive to fulfill its strategic role as a guardian of fair, reliable, and equitable access to information.

TVRI's per capita public funding remains very low, at around US$0.25 (Rp 4,250) per capita per capita per year, far below the UK's BBC at around US$97, Japan's NHK at around US$48, and Australia's ABC at around US$46. Precisely because of this, broadcasting infrastructure development must continue and be strengthened to address the challenge of blank spots and maintain national information security.

This demand requires not only an adaptive technological and policy approach, but also a commitment to the principle of equitable access to information. We at TVRI continue to strive to ensure that all 2026 World Cup matches can be watched by people across the archipelago, as a manifestation of national togetherness and unity.

Bernardus Satriyo Dharmanto Technical Director of LPP TVRI