MediaCorp seals World Cup telecast for free-to-air TV in Singapore

MediaCorp will air the opening match, both semi-final matches and the final match 'live' with same/next-day encores.

On the deal, Chang Long Jong, deputy CEO of television at MediaCorp, said: ”We are very happy to have finally sealed this deal. The World Cup is a major event that has a legion of fans in Singapore and we have received many requests to air the matches.”

He added: “As Singapore's national broadcaster, MediaCorp’s overriding consideration was to bring the most significant matches free to all our viewers. MediaCorp is proud to offer our Singapore viewers the chance to catch international sporting events and will continue to telecast landmark ‘live’ sports programmes where possible.”

SingTel and StarHub both announced they had secured the broadcast rights of the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament last month after a protracted period of negotiations.

However, both cable TV operators are currently facing a revolt by local viewers and approximately 20,000 football fans as subcription fees to watch next month’s tournament are up sevenfold to become the highest in Asia.