BUDGET carrier AirAsia is the second biggest sponsor of RTM’s live telecasts of FIFA World Cup 2018, forking out RM12 million to help pay for airing rights.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo said sponsorship from telecommunications giant Maxis and AirAsia covered the RM30 million cost to air 41 matches in the  month-long football tournament kicking off in Moscow, Russia, on Thursday.

AirAsia has set aside 54 tickets for contest prize winners, Gobind said at a press conference announcing the sponsorship, in Putrajaya, today.

“I take this opportunity to thank them because their contribution allowed us to make this a success. This is important, this is an effort to improve RTM1 and RTM2’s performance in Malaysia.”

“Many people asked me about RTM, its direction, and whether we can revamp its image and performance. I think we can, (and) this is one of the ways to increase RTM’s viewership,” said Gobind.

He said RTM would likely get more sponsorship funds to pay for promotional events.

“There are others who are now in negotiations but the contracts are not signed yet. We’ll let them finalise things first, but the amounts are not as substantial as AirAsia and Maxis’.”

Thirty-two countries will compete in 64 matches for the World Cup, 41 of which will be aired on  RTM’s TV1 and TV2, 28 of them live. There will be 83 repeat screenings on the two channels.

Satellite pay-TV operator Astro is the only broadcaster airing all 64 matches live.

Gobind said it was possible that RTM could air more live matches after further negotiations.

“We’ve had discussions. We specified the costs, but at the same time if we can get additional airings, then the question would be whether or not we can renegotiate the contract.” – June 12, 2018.