MBC sues FAM Over tv rights
The controversy surrounding the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) television broadcasting rights deal has taken a new twist after Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) obtained an injunction restraining the association from proceeding with the process.
The injunction stopped Mpira TV from beaming Malawi’s World Cup qualifer against Cameroon at Orlando Stadium in South Africa.
Court documents, which we have seen, indicate that the public broadcaster through its lawyers Makiyi and Kanyenda asked the High Court to stop Mibawa Studios or any other company from being content producers for Mpira Television to be carried on Zuku Television decoder.
MBC director general George Kasakula confirmed the development yesterday, saying they want justice served.
He said: “We are seeking for justice and this is just the beginning. We look forward to full litigation and eventual outcome.”
The association confirmed in a statement that it was served with the injunction and that it will challenge it.
The statement reads in part: “We are working hard to make sure that we resolve this as soon as possible, therefore, not denying millions of fans oneness, excitement and entertainment and not denying teams the much needed commercialisation and finally not denying our sponsors the much needed value–all these being the key ingredients of football.”
But a week ago, FAM unveiled the Mpira TV football production and broadcasting deal worth K350 million per year with Mibawa Studios and Zuku Television.
The deal designated Mibawa to produce content for Mpira Television to be broadcast on Zuku’s channel 064.
Zuku replaced Kiliyekiliye following the collapse of a deal between FAM and Malawi Digital Broadcasting Network Limited.
FAM president Walter Nyamilandi said Mibawa Studios were awarded host content producing rights, having met minimum requirements as set up by Confederation of African Football (CAF) after FAM advertised bidding for the services.
The studio’s chief executive John Nthakomwa said they were not picked by chance.
But Kasakula claims that the public broadcaster emerged the best in the bidding process.
However, while admitting that MBC had one of the best bids, FAM commercial and marketing director Limbani Matola is on record as having said the negotiations fell through due to some undisclosed disagreements.
