RTM to air 41 World Cup matches for free

PUTRAJAYA: The Government has allocated up to RM40mil to broadcast 41 of the total 64 World Cup football matches for free via RTM.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo said of the 41 matches, 27 would be shown live and 14 would be delayed telecasts by the national broadcaster.

He added that he had presented a working paper to the Cabinet, allocating RM40mil as a ceiling.

“But the actual cost and so forth will be revealed tomorrow (today) by the Finance Ministry.

“I expect it to be less as there will be negotiations and sponsors,” he told a press conference after his ministry’s post-Cabinet meeting yesterday.

The Government, he added, would try to have direct negotiations to reduce the overall cost of broadcasting matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in Russia from June 14 to July 15.

The Star reported that there are two types of broadcasting rights to the tournament – Pay TV and Freeto-Air.

Astro, which has Pay TV broadcasting rights to all 64 matches, is offering them live in high definition.

On another matter, Gobind said he would meet representatives of telco operators soon to discuss measures to reduce the price of Internet services in the country.

He said the Government was not only looking to reduce the cost, but also increase the Internet speed.

“We have certain plans in mind and the means to negotiate and press for a possible reduction in prices.

“I have had meetings with the concerned departments (in my ministry) and they have shown some proposals that are workable.

“So, we will meet with the telcos to discuss them,” he added.

Asked about the media council, Gobind said his ministry was in the process of setting it up.

“We want participation from all angles so that we can cover a broad range of issues.

“We are in the process of setting up its structure. We will propose this to the Cabinet in two weeks,” he added.

Gobind also said he had directed the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) to resume the broadcast of news in Tamil and Mandarin on the Bernama News Channel soon.

“I have directed them to resume it within two weeks,” he said.

The broadcast of the news in the two languages was terminated several years ago.