TVB to screen 22 World Cup 2014 matches for free

Soccer fans in Hong Kong will be able to watch 22 matches of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil free of charge after TVB won broadcasting rights for the tournament for the first time in 16 years.

Pay station Cable TV won the rights for the 2002, 2006 and 2010 competitions - which meant fans who wanted to watch games legally had to pay. In 2010, Cable only allowed free stations to screen four matches live.

Still, it will not be as satisfying for soccer fans as in 1998, when TVB and ATV got the rights and showed all 64 World Cup final matches free of charge.

Mark Lee Po-on, executive director and group general manager of TVB, said yesterday it cost the station about HK$400 million to secure the rights and programme production. The station declined to give exact figures.

The 22 matches to be broadcast on TVB's five free channels - Jade, Pearl, J2, iNews and HD Jade - are the opening match, 16 group stage matches, two quarter-finals, the two semi-finals and the final. The opening and closing ceremonies will also be shown.

Matches will also be accessible via the internet and on mobile phones. An additional "time shift" function will be available, so viewers who have missed the beginning of a match can catch up on a delayed-live basis.