Sure, it’s not like we’ll be able to watch the FIFA World Cup in the comfort of our own homes for free like our northern neighbors, but at least the Singapore’s trying their darndest.
In an initiative run by the People’s Association, live broadcasts of the football championship will be screened for free across 56 community clubs islandwide — something that has been going on since 2010, actually.
The opening match will be screened on June 14 at 11pm at Our Tampines Hub and 40 community clubs first, according to PA, while the full list of schedules will be made at a later date.
But if you’re misanthropes homebodies like us, you’re welcome to pay for World Cup coverage on Singtel and StarHub, while state broadcasters Mediacorp will be screening nine selected matches, including the opening matches, semi-finals, and the grand finale.
Or, you know, find a dodgy URL online to stream the matches, and enjoy the buffering.
The Malaysian government, on the other hand, managed two obtain enough private sponsorship to cover the $10 million cost of broadcasting the 2018 Fifa World Cup live on public channel Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM). Meaning anyone with a TV gets to watch it for free.
The Singapore government has more serious things to handle right now anyway, so we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.
Perhaps it is a good thing that the World Cup broadcasts aren’t free of charge here — it’s way more fun to watch the matches in the company of other people, anyway, with some pints and snacks.
