MBC secures Fifa World Cup rights
The Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has secured broadcasting rights for 2014 Fifa World Cup finals in Brazil. The broadcaster will beam live all 64 matches through its television, and do live commentary on radio and online channels starting this Thursday.
During a press briefing at MBC offices in Blantyre on Friday, the corporation’s director general Benson Tembo said they did everything possible to secure the rights worth millions of kwacha to accord Malawians the opportunity to watch the World Cup in the comfort of their homes.
“Fifa World Cup is the most watched sporting event in the world. However, the issue of rights has in previous years denied fans the opportunity to follow the games through national broadcasters,” said Tembo.
“As broadcasters of premium sports programmes on both radio and television, we feel obliged to accord millions of Malawians opportunity to watch this World Cup, which comes once every four years.”
Tembo also assured that people will not experience interruptions in the course of watching the games: “Unless there is a pressing need to do so. Even, if that happens, the interrupted part will be recorded and rebroadcast in due course.”
He, however, could not reveal how much they have spent on the rights, saying such details might jeopardise their relationship with the world football governing body, Fifa.
“I would have loved to tell you the figure, but it is a confidentially negotiated figure which, if disclosed, might negatively impact on our acquisition of broadcasting rights from Fifa next time,” he said.
In spite of that, Tembo, who was accompanied by MBC public relations officer Ruth Gama and veteran broadcaster Geoffrey Kazembe at the briefing, said the broadcasting rights are exclusive to MBC and no other television or radio station will be allowed to carry their feeds.
According to Tembo, Azam Green Soap will be the main sponsor of their broadcasts supported by Blockbuster Mega Store and Lord’s Best Collection.
He said the door is open for other corporate companies to sponsor the broadcast.
The World Cup finals in Brazil, which will involve 32 teams, including Africa’s representatives Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Ghana and Algeria, will run from June 12 to July 13 in Brazil.
