Fahmi mulls revisiting plan for EPL direct telecast on RTM

January 22, 2023

Fahmi mulls revisiting plan for EPL direct telecast on RTM

KUALA LUMPUR: The Communications and Digital Ministry will be looking at airing more sports programmes via Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), including the English Premier League (EPL) football matches.

Its minister Fahmi Fadzil has not ruled out the possibility of revisiting the suggestion of direct telecast of EPL matches, as mentioned by his predecessor Gobind Singh Deo back in 2018.

This comes after RTM successfully aired the World Cup matches last year and the recently-concluded Asean Football Federation Cup (AFF Cup) 2022.

However, he said this would depend on the Youth and Sports Ministry’s sports agenda.

“We are speaking with Youth and Sports Ministry to understand the priorities for the coming years and how we can help with the country’s sports agenda.

“Malaysians like to watch football, and we also love badminton.

“Be it EPL or other (sports) programmes, if it is inline with the nation’s sports agenda, I believe the ministry will help,” he said during Bual Konti – Santai Bersama YB Fahmi Fadzil special interview aired on Berita Radio Contynews YouTube channel.

RTM was the official broadcaster for Qatar 2022 World Cup matches where a total of 41 matches were broadcast by it, 27 live matches including the final and 14 delayed broadcasts involving 130 hours of airtime overall.

RTM spent RM32.5 million to bring the matches to Malaysians for free via TV2, TV Okey, Sukan RTM as well as livestreaming via RTM Klik.

Meanwhile, he said the government are negotiating with telecommunication companies to offer cheaper Internet services.

He said the government has done so for prepaid customers and now the negotiations would be to benefit the fixed line and broadband users.

“We are still working on it.

“We do understand that people want faster Internet, not wanting the signals to drop while on highways, and also cheaper.

“It is part of my team’s plan,” he added.