Ministry of Finance is set to provide Public Service Media (PSM) with USD 800,000 (MVR 12.3 million) to broadcast the FIFA World Cup 2022 matches free of charge.
Government had initially decided not to fund the FIFA World Cup re-broadcasting rights, thus PSM had no option other than to buy them from Medianet, who is the licensed broadcaster of the matches in the Maldives. PSM had then decided to charge the public a small fee to air the matches, which was met with widespread public concern, including several lawmakers.
Deputy Managing Director at PSM, Mohamed Shameem revealed that they were working on securing funds to air the matches, the government had not denied that the funds would be arranged for them.
However, now that the funds have been arranged, the matches will be aired by PSM without charging the public any fee. The matches will be broadcast via their YES TV.
