Recently, regarding the case of cracking down on illegal broadcasting lines, many opinions suggest that viewers are not necessarily lacking in awareness but have formed the habit of watching for free. In your opinion, what are we lacking in the culture of copyrighted sports consumption?
- In fact, pirated websites appear at "sensitive" times, when copyrights have not been fully exploited. They quickly meet the needs of audiences and gradually form the habit of watching for free.
However, this is a deviant habit. Using unlicensed content is an act of violating the law and facilitating intellectual property infringement. Although convenient, it is not costly when just a simple device without registering for packages is enough for us to view copyrighted content.
This is a very bad habit of a part of the audience in a process where we have not yet perfected the protection and protection of intellectual property rights units, and in the long term, this negatively affects the development of the sports market.
On the contrary, many viewers believe that when they have spent money to buy copyrights, the broadcaster needs to bring worthy value. In your opinion, how should copyright holders change their service thinking?
- Over the years, copyright holders in Vietnam have made efforts to improve content quality, from commentary, program production to companion products such as highlights, previews.
I think that for example, K+ has done very well in copyrighted content such as Europe, UEFA as well as the English Premier League organizers and the programs they produce. I think the programs can completely meet the needs of viewers.
However, they are under great pressure from the market, especially unfair competition from pirated platforms.
Tightening copyright will help create motivation for units to continue investing and upgrading service quality. At that time, audiences will receive better experiences, and the market will develop in a more sustainable and civilized direction.
As one of the commentators who has been associated with Vietnamese football and sports television for nearly two decades, looking back at that journey, in your opinion, which point has the football commentary profession in Vietnam changed the most?
- The biggest change is the connection between commentators and audiences. Previously, we only received feedback via handwritten letters or rare calls. But now, with social networks, audiences can respond almost immediately.
That creates greater pressure, but also helps us improve ourselves faster, understand the audience better and adjust our profession to suit the times.
Regarding the common point, in my opinion, the commentator profession in Vietnam has a very clear characteristic. From the predecessors who worked in the 70s and 80s to the current generation, all have a common mission: to bring viewers perspectives, knowledge, views and, above all, inspiration about football - a sport with a special attraction to a large number of Vietnamese fans.
The flow of knowledge, the emotional voice and emotions in each comment always go hand in hand with the love of football of the audience for many decades. That is the common point throughout, creating the identity of the commentary profession through generations.
Currently, many broadcasters are implementing two parallel commentary styles: one standard on television and one more flexible on digital platforms. In your opinion, is this a direction suitable for the tastes of today's audiences?
- I think this is a reasonable direction. Audiences today have very diverse needs: some people like standards, some people like closeness and interaction. Maintaining two streams of comments helps meet many different audience groups. However, in any form, professionalism and standards still need to be ensured.
Compared to 15-20 years ago, is the pressure on commentators today greater when the audience can respond immediately?
- Pressure is definitely there and greater. But for those who are well prepared in terms of knowledge, experience and professional bravery, they can completely control the situation.
The quick feedback from the audience is both pressure and motivation for each commentator to constantly improve themselves.
Some opinions suggest that the development of digital platforms forces commentators to constantly innovate. For you, is this pressure or an opportunity?
- I think that is an opportunity. At any time, professionals need to refresh themselves. The development of social networks only makes that process faster.
Whoever updates better and adapts faster will maintain their position and create long-term value.
Looking at the current generation of young commentators, what advantages do you see in them? And what is the value of the previous generation that has not changed?
- Young people have a great advantage in sensitivity to trends, language and interaction ability. Meanwhile, the previous generation has an advantage in life experience, knowledge and professional depth.
The combination of these two factors will create more comprehensive commentators, better meeting the needs of modern audiences.
