Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo welcomes the suggestion of RTM airing the forthcoming FIFA World Cup 2018 live.
He said it is important for the national broadcaster to be able to air the international spectacle live on television, besides being a way it could increase viewership.
“My ministry has forwarded the suggestion to the government so that we could get permission to air the World Cup live when it starts on June 14.
"I will bring this issue to the cabinet on Wednesday, and hopefully, we will receive a favourable answer.
“As far as I’m concerned, I think this is one of the ways in which we can promote RTM again. I think this is what we need to do to increase viewership on part of RTM,” Gobind told a press conference at Wisma Bernama in Kuala Lumpur, today.
Broadcasting rights for the World Cup, that is to be hosted in Russia, typically runs into the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Previously, it was reported that nine companies in Thailand had raised THB1.4 billion (RM174 million) to help broadcasters pay for the rights to air the month-long tournament, but the full cost of broadcasting rights was not reported.
Singtel, StarHub, and MediaCorp in Singapore, meanwhile, reportedly paid SGD25 million for the rights (RM74.3 million).
It was reported that FIFA demanded US$120 million (RM477 million) from Russian state broadcasters for the right to air the matches, but broadcasters refused.
As for Fox Sports in the US, it reportedly paid US$400 million (RM1.59 billion) to air the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, as well as several other international football matches in between.
Yesterday, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman reportedly said he will meet the government – including Gobind – and Astro on the possibility of airing the World Cup matches live.
“I will try and meet with Gobind soon to discuss this issue (airing of the World Cup) because we want to make sure (Malaysians can watch the matches).
“For example, we can set up large screens at certain locations at every district and parliamentary constituency.
“I’ve met with the Astro’s (management) to discuss this matter. We could set up a large screen in Muar, Johor Baru and other places,” the New Straits Times quoted him as saying.
Gobind also noted that he had also received inquiries via Twitter and WhatsApp on the possibility of airing the matches on RTM. -Mkini
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