Not Just Entertainment, Live Broadcasts of the World Cup are Expected to Raise Hopes

After being absent from broadcasting the World Cup since the 1998 edition, TVRI will once again broadcast this major football tournament live for the 2026 edition. This public broadcasting institution first brought the World Cup into the homes of the Indonesian people in 1970.

For the 2026 World Cup, TVRI will be the sole broadcasting rights holder, covering free-to-air (terrestrial television), over-the-top (streaming), radio, and off-air activities. TVRI claims its readiness for the 2026 World Cup broadcasts has reached nearly 90 percent. Since the bidding process in April 2025, they have undertaken comprehensive improvements, particularly in infrastructure and human resources.

TVRI Director Iman Brotoseno in an interview with Kompas Daily in Jakarta, Wednesday (18/2/2026), said that the World Cup broadcast via TVRI was a gift from the President to the public so they could watch this grand tournament for free.

However, it is hoped that the benefits gained will not be limited to entertainment aspects alone, but can also stimulate the local economy. Activities such as watching together (nobar), especially those involving small and medium enterprises (UMKM), will be facilitated and made easier.

This broadcast is also expected to be part of the recovery efforts for those affected by the disaster. The momentum of the 2026 World Cup serves as a long-term strategy for TVRI to restore its position in society as a public broadcasting institution relevant to the community.

The following is an interview with Iman Brotoseno which took place at the TVRI Central office:

How far along are TVRI's preparations for broadcasting the 2026 World Cup live?

Since the bidding process in April 2025, we've been making all the necessary preparations related to infrastructure and human resources. So, essentially, we want the best, and so far, I feel very prepared.

We can guarantee that the TVRI broadcast will be received by the entire public. We've even conducted a trial run. So, during the draw last December, we conducted a trial run with FIFA, as they had already sent us their feed. We also conducted a simulation with the studio here. And it went smoothly.

So, it's almost certain that FIFA's feed will be received and broadcast by the World Cup. I'd say preparations are almost 90 percent complete. Only a few minor aspects remain, particularly regarding the studio.

Therefore, we will build a new studio that should be much more representative and have a more contemporary atmosphere. We will also align it with the theme of this World Cup.

It is estimated that it will be completed by March because on March 26 we will broadcast the friendly match between France and Brazil. Therefore, leading up to the World Cup, there are several friendly matches prepared by FIFA.

Will the qualifying playoff matches be broadcast as well?

We'll also broadcast the playoffs. From March 26th through May, there will be friendlies and playoffs, which may run concurrently.

So, we are also conducting a simulation related to the two channels, TVRI Sport and TVRI Nasional. Therefore, we will attempt to simulate how it will be when there are simultaneous matches.

How many personnel are prepared for this World Cup program?

Approximately for those heading to Mexico, America, and Canada, it is not too large. Yes, I estimate between 15 to 18 people. But that is excluding our contributors in America.

We recruited some friends from VOA to be our reporters there. The problem was there were three countries, and we had to ensure that each country was covered seriously by TVRI.

Therefore, we do not only broadcast the matches, but also cover all aspects related to the sporting event. This may include the community life, the preparations of the teams, whether it is at their training camps, as well as the residents living around the stadium, or the supporters. We ensure that the people in Indonesia will receive comprehensive content.

What programs are being prepared, both on-air and possibly off-air?

The essence is this: we will build a broadcasting ecosystem for 24 hours, which will not only feature matches. Therefore, there will be documentaries; we are also acquiring from FIFA documentaries about the teams competing in the World Cup.

Then there is also a web series, we will also make a web series about tarkam. So, yes, we are highlighting the local aspect, locality is tarkam, to make it interesting, we are making a web series. Then there are also, for example, podcasts with football pundits.

And, interestingly, half an hour or an hour before the match, depending on the coach, FIFA allows the atmosphere of the team's locker room to be captured. So, when they gather, the coach gives instructions, directions, strategies, and even expresses anger towards the players, which we can record.

FIFA has provided an opportunity for that, and if it happens, I believe it will be the first time. Because previously in Indonesia, it was always just the matches, but the atmosphere in the locker room was never exposed like that. It used to be very sacred.

There will indeed be a lot that can be showcased. There will also be quizzes, of course. Additionally, there will be football news related to the World Cup broadcast.

In essence, we will build an ecosystem that encompasses not only the broadcasting of matches for 90 minutes. This is what we hope for, as it represents a momentum for TVRI to present programs that are favored by the public.

Besides entertainment purposes, what other benefits might TVRI possibly achieve from World Cup broadcasts?

Therefore, we need to emphasize again that this is a gift from the President. The President is providing a gift to the public to watch the World Cup for free through TVRI. Thus, we certainly express our gratitude for the gift from the President, as he has also shown great concern for the development of football in Indonesia for a long time.

Therefore, when he directed to broadcast the World Cup, it was to provide entertainment to the public. However, it is not solely about entertainment. The primary concern here is to ensure that all people in Indonesia can exercise their right to access information, entertainment, and so forth.

And for some in the areas affected by the disaster, it can be part of the recovery efforts. Thus, there is a spirit of recovery, an optimism to rise again. Therefore, we envision that there will also be a public viewing event there.

And when we talk about watching together, it means that there are not only aspects of enjoyment but also aspects to enhance economic growth here. Therefore, this can also boost economic growth.

From eleven o'clock at night until one o'clock in the afternoon (during the match time in Indonesia), we can observe a great deal of activity related to the public viewing event. This is especially true for micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM). People can sell their products, and we can even connect it with, for example, after the dawn prayer, we have the public viewing, followed by breakfast with UMKM, and so on.

I've also received a non-assignment, but rather a collaboration with the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). We'll map how the World Cup can boost the local economy. We'll also conduct some research before and after the World Cup, regarding the role of the World Cup in boosting local economic growth.

And hopefully, on a national scale, it will increase. So indeed, these are the roles we expect from the World Cup. Not only to provide entertainment but also to actively contribute to improving the economy.

We do not want to repeat the incident from four years ago, where mothers who owned stalls in North Sumatra were approached by the rights holders to pay fines. Therefore, please, MSMEs, owners of warteg, stalls, coffee shops, and herbal medicine stalls, feel free to hold screenings. However, for hotels and restaurants, there will certainly be a separate mechanism.

Does this mean that TVRI's position as a public broadcasting institution is truly being utilized in relation to the live broadcast of the World Cup?

Indeed. Therefore, TVRI recognizes the importance of this World Cup. Firstly, it ensures that the public can receive international broadcasts inclusively. It is also guaranteed that everyone can access these broadcasts even in remote areas, through terrestrial networks.

And the second point is that this is a long-term strategy for TVRI to ensure that this public broadcasting institution positions itself as a strong, positive, relevant, and beneficial public broadcasting entity for the community.

This includes discussing how to build an ecosystem, not just entertainment. Therefore, TVRI not only provides entertainment but also establishes a partnership ecosystem with the community for the long term.

Regarding the optimization of TVRI's function as a public broadcasting institution, monetization is probably not as ambitious as private TV?

Yes, indeed we are an absorption regime, like ministries and agencies, not focused on profit and loss. This means that what has been provided by the government is absorbed optimally.

However, the government certainly hopes that there are social aspects that can perhaps be equated with monetary value. Thus, community satisfaction, public enjoyment of entertainment, and local economic growth may be comparable to monetary value.

Indeed, we are not turning a blind eye to revenue, such as advertising. Because we know this is a celebration that occurs every four years, many corporate brands want to collaborate. However, in accordance with the President's directive, this must be accessible for free to the public.

Does this mean that the live broadcast of the World Cup can actually be categorized as a moment for TVRI's re-branding?

This is actually a moment for TVRI to once again become one of the television stations loved by the public. How public attention returns to TVRI at this moment. We must build on this moment, so that after the World Cup ends, it does not revert to how it was before.

We must consider this the right moment. How can we create other programs, in various forms? So if we look at this in the long term, it is not just the World Cup in June-July this year, but we also have the Women's World Cup in 2027, as well as the U-17 World Cup in November.

So this is a momentum, also related to preparation. Besides building infrastructure, we also need human resources. We're also building a media center here. We're building a representative media center. We received praise from FIFA because this is the first time a host broadcaster has built a media center related to this World Cup.

For more inclusive services, especially for residents who cannot watch live broadcasts?

We also have radio broadcasting rights. So we have everything, including radio. Since we don't have a radio, we gave it to RRI, and RRI has a radio program, especially for people with disabilities who can't see, so they can enjoy the World Cup broadcasts by listening.