May 8 – Malaysian free-to-air broadcaster RTM and IPTV service Unifi TV have secured domestic rights to the 2026 World Cup, with the country’s government allocating RM24 million ($6.1 million) to fund the deal.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil announced the tournament will air across multiple platforms on free-to-air via MyTV, alongside RTM Klik and Unifi TV to ensure national reach. Unifi TV, operated by Telekom Malaysia-owned Unifi, will carry all 104 matches live. Public broadcaster RTM will broadcast the majority of fixtures either live or on a delayed basis.
“The government is committed to ensuring all Malaysians can enjoy the 2026 FIFA World Cup in an inclusive, legitimate, and comprehensive manner,” Fahmi said at a post-cabinet briefing. “To achieve this, the government has decided to collaborate with the private sector to ensure high-quality broadcasting and wide reach.”
The deal marks a significant shift in Malaysia’s pay-TV landscape. Unifi TV displaces Astro, the country’s long-standing World Cup broadcaster, which held rights for both the 2018 and 2022 editions and has aired the tournament for two decades. Astro confirmed it was outbid this cycle.
In a statement, the operator said it submitted a “fair and competitive bid” and was “disappointed” the offer was not accepted, citing rising broadcast costs and piracy as reasons for not going higher. Astro argued the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were “extensively pirated” in Malaysia, eroding the commercial value of legitimate rights, while challenging match timings and a tight planning window further weakened the business case.
Fahmi also raised piracy concerns, warning that anti-piracy enforcement would be strengthened around tournament content.
Astro has not exited entirely, confirming discussions with rights holders to carry select matches via its NJOI free-to-air service and Sooka streaming app.
The agreement extends a recent run of late FIFA deals, following tie-ups with Television Jamaica, Vietnam Television, and South Africa’s SportyTV.
Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]