In a surprising move, Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo has announced that Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) will broadcast 41 out of 64 matches in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. A total of 27 matches will be aired live while the rest will be delayed telecasts.
Gobind said the broadcast will have a ceiling cost of about MYR40 million, but the amount is expected to be reduced through sponsorship and advertising. More details and costs involved are expected to be explained by the Finance Ministry on Thursday.
The move has been both lauded and also criticised by the people. On one hand, it is seen as a populist move and welcomed by football fans. On the other, certain quarters are saying that the money could be put to better use.
If you’re unaware, telecasting World Cup matches for free is one of Pakatan Harapan’s promises in its election manifesto.
The minister previously said that airing the matches live was one of the ways for RTM to win back viewers.
Nonetheless, the move will make the international event accessible to more people, previously only available via Pay TV. Pay TV broadcasting rights is held by satellite TV network Astro.
RTM will be taking up Free-To-Air (FTA) rights to the World Cup 2018.
Last month, Astro announced that it was making the World Cup accessible to all, even to non-Astro customers. It introduced a World Cup Channel Pass which lets viewers watch all 64 LIVE matches in HD on all screens, from 14 June to 15 July 2018.
Non-Astro customers can purchase the pass for MYR120 and catch all LIVE matches on Astro Go. Read more about Astro’s World Cup offer here.
The FIFA World Cup will take place from 14 June to 15 July in Russia.
2018 FIFA World Cup Match Schedule
Group Stages (in Malaysian time)June 25Poland vs Colombia – 2am – TV1 (delayed, 2.30am) & Astro
Uruguay vs Russia – 10pm – Astro
Saudi Arabia vs Egypt – 10pm – TV1 (delayed, 10.30pm) & Astro
Spain vs Morocco – 2am – TV1 (delayed, 2.30am) & AstroJune 26Iran vs Portugal – 2am – Astro
Denmark vs France – 10pm – Astro
Australia vs Peru – 10pm – AstroJune 27Nigeria vs Argentina – 2am – TV1 & Astro
Iceland vs Croatia – 2am – Astro
South Korea vs Germany – 10pm – TV1 & Astro
Mexico vs Sweden – 10pm – AstroJune 28Serbia vs Brazil – 2am – TV1 & Astro
Switzerland vs Costa Rica – 2am – Astro
Japan vs Poland – 10pm – Astro
Senegal vs Colombia – 10pm – AstroJune 29England vs Belgium – 2am – TV1 & Astro
Panama vs Tunisia – 2am – AstroHere’s the full schedule of the remaining matches, sourced from Star2, Star2 2 and Star2 3. Free Astro Arena broadcasts are denoted as AA.
Round of 16June 30
France vs Argentina – 10pm – TV1 (delayed, 10.30pm), AA (delayed) & Astro
Uruguay vs Portugal – 2am – TV1 (delayed, 2.30am), AA (delayed) & AstroJuly 1
Spain vs Russia – 10pm – TV1, AA & Astro
Croatia vs Denmark – 2am – TV1, AA & AstroJuly 2
Brazil vs Mexico – 10pm – TV1, AA & Astro
Winner of Group G vs Runner-up of Group H – 2am – TV1 (delayed, 2.30am), AA (delayed) & AstroJuly 3
Sweden vs Switzerland – 10pm – AA (delayed), Astro
Winner of Group H vs Runner-up of Group G – 2am – TV1, AA & AstroQuarter finalsJuly 6
Winner Match 49 vs Winner Match 50 – 10pm – TV1, AA & Astro
Winner Match 53 vs Winner Match 54 – 2am – TV1 (delayed, 2.30am), AA (delayed) & AstroJuly 7
Winner Match 55 vs Winner Match 56 – 10pm – TV2, AA & Astro
Winner Match 51 vs Winner Match 52 – 2am – TV1, AA (delayed) & AstroJuly 11
Winner Match 57 vs Winner Match 57 – 2am (Wednesday) – TV1/2*, AA & AstroJuly 12
Winner Match 59 vs Winner Match 60 – 2am (Thursday) – TV1/2*, AA & AstroJuly 14
3rd & 4th Placing – 10pm – TV1/2*, AA & AstroJuly 15
Final – 11pm – TV1/2*, AA & AstroHere’s other 2018 FIFA World Cup related articles:
- Everyone can watch all 64 LIVE FIFA World Cup matches even if they’re not an Astro customer
- Watch World Cup 2018 matches for free on RTM
- Watch 2018 FIFA World Cup matches for MYR1 per match with Maxis
- Get the latest 2018 FIFA World Cup updates with Twitter and Astro
- TM: Sorry no 2018 FIFA World Cup broadcast on Unifi TV
Source: News Straits Times
