MDBNL offers lifeline on pay TV channel
Malawi Digital Broadcasting Network Limited (MDBNL) has given Football Association of Malawi (Fam) glimmer of hope after disclosing that the institution was ready to roll out a dedicated pay TV channel to beam local competitions.
The development comes as a relief to the local football governing body, which last week, through the association’s president Walter Nyamilandu, announced that Fam had pulled out of the deal because MDBDL was elusive.
MDBNL Chief Executive Officer Denis Chirwa said they were now ready to roll out the project after finalising technical issues.
“The delay to embark on the project was as a result of not being ready. Now everything has been sorted; we can roll out the project,” Chirwa said Monday.
Fam at its executive meeting at Sunbird Nkopola Lodge made a u-turn by disclosing that the association would still work with MDBDL for the pay TV Channel.
“The committee resolved to withhold the decision to pull out of the partnership with Malawi Digital Broadcasting Network Limited to launch a pay Television channel for football.
“This is after the Ministry of Information and MDBNL came forward to advice Fam not to explore other avenues and made commitment to support the roll out of the project,” reads the statement which Fam released on Sunday. It further states that Fam, Ministry of Information and MDBNL will meet this week to draw a new roadmap on the implementation of the project.
“Last week, Fam made a decision to walk away from the deal after its launch failed to take place three weeks ago following failure by MDBNL to show up at a signing ceremony that was scheduled for 18th December 2020,” the statement reads.
Some TNM Super League sides bemoaned the collapse of the TV channel deal in the wake of playing without supporters due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The clubs believe a dedicated pay TV channel would help them generate income.
