Following a significant change to the Maldivian broadcasting regulations, World Cup matches will no longer be aired through the national television for free. Instead, only the opening and final games will be aired.
This change became effective on September 19.
Though never officially confirmed, the World Cup is one of the major international events that has been listed for broadcasting via national television for free. The regulations as per Maldives Broadcasting Commission, states that events that are of unanimous or general public interest such as the World Cup, should be broadcasted free-of-charge through the permitted channels in the Maldives. The discretion rested in the hands of the commission.
Usual practice is to provide this right to the national television before it is extended to other private broadcasters.
While World Cup being included in the free of charge viewing…
