RTM promises top teams to feature in all its 28 live matches

PUTRAJAYA: Football fans watching the World Cup 2018 on RTM's free-to-air channels will not miss out on the tournament's biggest matches.

The national broadcasters will be showing 28 live matches on TV1 and TV2, which includes the final, semi-finals, as well as the opening match between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia on June 14.

In total, RTM will be airing 41 matches, out of which 28 is live and 13 delayed.

"Matches involving teams that are popular among Malaysian football fans will be shown live, including Germany, Brazil, England, Argentina, Spain, France, Portugal, Argentina, Korea and Japan," said RTM in a statement on Tuesday.

Multimedia and Communications Minister Gobind Singh Deo (pic) said the ministry is in talks with more potential sponsors, which means that RTM may add more matches.

"We already have an agreement to show 41 matches. But some have asked me if there is a possibility to add more to this.

"We are in talks with more potential sponsors. We are working on this to see if our agreement can be renegotiated," said Gobind at a press conference here.

At the event, Maxis and AirAsia were announced as sponsors.

Maxis, as platinum sponsors, will contribute RM18mil while AirAsia, as gold sponsors, will provide RM12mil.

This covers the RM30mil cost for broadcasting rights.

AirAsia will also be offering 54 free flight tickets through quiz competitions, which will be organised throughout the World Cup season.