KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians will be able to watch 41 Qatar 2022 World Cup matches for free, which will be broadcast free-to-air by Radio Television Malaysia (RTM).
RTM, which is under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, will be an official broadcaster for the world's biggest sporting event..
Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said a total of 41 matches would be aired by RTM, 27 of which – including the final – would be live and 14 delayed broadcasts involving 130 hours of airtime.
There will be a total of 64 matches played during the tournament, comprising 48 group and 16 knockout stage matches.
"RTM will broadcast matches involving high-ranking countries that have many fans in Malaysia," he told reporters after launching the "Menjelang Sepak Mula Piala Dunia 2022 Qatar" programme in conjunction with the appointment of RTM as an official broadcaster of the Qatar World Cup, here on Sunday (Aug 14).
The Qatar World Cup will be held from Nov 20 to Dec 18.
According to Annuar, the matches will be broadcast through three channels namely TV2, TV Okey, Sukan RTM as well as livestreaming via RTM Klik.
He said it would cost RTM RM32.5mil to air the matches, and called for help to shoulder the burden.
"I hope that private companies and government-linked companies can share in covering the cost of broadcasting together with RTM," he said.
In a statement, the ministry said the agreement to purchase broadcast rights was offered by Sport Media & Distributors Sdn Bhd with the first match to be broadcast on Nov 20 between Qatar and Ecuador.
At the event, RTM also introduced the six sports presenters for the live broadcasts, namely Syafiq Asyraf, Rasdi Jumaat, Zackhi Suri, Jeed Zulkefli, Aizuddin Shah and Mohd Nazri Shukri.
There will also be 12 guest presenters consisting of former football players and national coaches.
The Qatar World Cup with the slogan "Now Is All" will take place in eight official stadiums in Qatar involving 32 countries. – Bernama
