Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) has once again been given exclusive terrestrial broadcasting rights to the Fifa 2014 World Cup in Brazil from June 12 to July 13.

RTM director-general of broadcasting Norhyati Mohd Ismail said RTM had played “host” to the World Cup in 1974, 1978, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2010.

She said RTM has been given the rights to air 35 of the 64 World Cup matches, of which 24 would be telecast live and 11 would be aired as delayed telecasts, on high definition (HD).

“Among matches telecast live would be matches involving countries or teams that are favourites among Malaysian fans, especially Brazil, England, Argentina, Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Argentina, South Korea and Japan,” she told reporters after the Fifa 2014 World Cup 100 Days countdown by Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek in Kuala Lumpur today.

Also present were the Communications and Multimedia Ministry secretary-general Abdul Rahim Mohd Radzi and Pertubuhan Berita Nasional Malaysia (Bernama) general manager Yong Soo Heong.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Shabery said through the broadcasting rights, RTM will be able to fulfill the sporting needs of the people, especially those who cannot afford to watch it on pay TV stations like Astro.

He said three million of the 6.4 million household in the country still depended on live telecast of world class sporting events through terrestrial TV owned by the government.

Ahmad Shabery said financial support for buying the exclusive rights would be done through sponsorship from private companies.

“RTM will source for funds. We are not seeking funds from the government coffers because it won’t be fair since it is the tax payers money. We will appeal to sponsors by urging them to take up advertisement space during the World Cup,” he said.

- Bernama