Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has announced that the Mpira Television project grossed K103.7 million in broadcasting rights for the period between January and November this year.
The revenue has surpassed the K100 million target for the entire year.
A press release which Sulom issued Thursday states that K67.02 million was realised through Mpira TV subscription.
This represents a 64 percent contribution whereas K26 million was from free-to-air rights.
Advertising revenue amounted to K8.4 million whereas digital media rights contributed K2.25 million.
Expenses added up to K53 million whereas net revenue was K50.7 million.
The 16 TNM Super League teams that participated in the just-ended season will share K40.5 million, which is 80 percent of the revenue.
Sulom and Football Association of Malawi (Fam) will get K5 million each as part of their 10 percent share.
This means each team will pocket about K2.5 million.
Host content producer Mibawa Studios will get K29 million whereas host content broadcasters will share K19 million.
Sulom President Tiya Somba Banda said the figures are an indication that the project was bearing fruits.
“The Mpira TV project team is pleased with the milestone achieved. We have surpassed the K100 million mark before year end and we are excited.
“We are optimistic that we will generate increased revenue as we wind up the 2022 season. The final annual performance report will be released in January 2023,’’ Somba Banda said.
He said the revenue indicates that the project has the potential to turn around the fortunes of domestic football.
“Clubs have not benefitted from TV broadcasting rights since time immemorial. Looking at the past trends, Fam and Sulom decided to put all broadcasting rights into one pot in order to create value for teams regardless of who has played in which competition.
“TV broadcasting rights in Malawi have never grossed over K20 million but in just 11 months, we have hit K100 million. We will definitely close the year with somewhere close to K120 million. We have the potential to hit K250 million next year if we align our marketing strategies with both clubs and broadcasters,” Somba Banda said.
Nyasa Big Bullets Chief Administration Officer Albert Chigoga expressed satisfaction with the revenue.
“The revenue realised is unprecedented. It is a project that is progressing well. All what is needed is to keep improving it,’’ Chigoga said.
Matches involving top teams such as Bullets, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, Silver Strikers, Civil Service United, Kamuzu Barracks and Blue Eagles were often broadcast live in the just-ended season.
Wanderers Commercialisation Chairperson Clement Stambuli reserved his comment, saying he was yet to get the report.
This could be the first time for clubs to benefit from the TV deal after previous deals failed to generate revenue.