PUTRAJAYA: Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) will broadcast 41 out of 64 matches in the upcoming Fifa World Cup 2018.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo said 27 matches would be aired live and the rest will be delayed matches.
Gobind also said the broadcast will cost about RM40 million, which is expected to be substantially absorbed by sponsors.
He however said the details will be elaborated by the Finance Ministry in a press conference on Thursday.
“I can say now that the figures discussed in the Cabinet earlier could be about RM40 million, but of course there would be sponsors and so forth, who will absorb a substantial part of it.”
Gobind then clarified that the amount mentioned is actually the ceiling cost of broadcasting the tournaments for free.
“We have a ceiling of RM40 million but I expect it to be lower, because normally if there is a ceiling, we will (engage with sponsors) through direct negotiations, and through these negotiations we will try to reduce it (the cost) further,” Gobind told a press conference today.
Concerning payments for rights to air the World Cup, Gobind said the matter will be disclosed tomorrow.
It is learned that there are two types of broadcasting rights for the tournament – Pay TV and Free-To-Air rights or FTA.
In Malaysia the Pay TV broadcasting rights is held by satellite television network Astro. RTM is expected to take up the FTA.