Thomas Cup: Minister apologises over non-transmission of live matches on RTM

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek has apologised for the non-transmission by Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) of the Thomas Cup tie between Malaysia and Indonesia yesterday as the broadcasting right had been given to a private television station.

He said RTM would not carry the live telecast of the final match as it was focusing on other programmes especially the broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup Football 2014 Championship besides the high cost of the live telecast for sporting events.

"I apologise on behalf of RTM because many were dissatisfied as there was no live telecast (yesterday). This was because the broadcasting rights had been acquired by a private TV station.

"If we wished (to telecast), we had to pay highly and in this matter, we had other requirements including the live coverage during the Brazil World Cup (football) championship and the cost content for sports is not cheap, it involves millions of ringgit.

"In the original offer, the cost was RM4 million to telecast the match (Thomas Cup)," he told reporters after officiating the World Telecommunications and Informed Society Day (WTISD) 2014 at Lintasan Deasoka, here today.

RTM has obtained the exclusive broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup Football Championship 2014 which will be held in Brazil from June 12 to July 13.

Malaysia qualified for the Thomas Cup 2014 final after beating Indonesia 3-0 in New Delhi, India last night.

Tomorrow, Malaysia will face Japan, which created history in the Thomas Cup series when they qualified for the final for the first time.