MULTICHOICE LAUNCHES MBC TV ON DStv

18 February 2013

Leading digital pay-tv operator, MultiChoice Africa, and the Malawi Broadcast Corporation (MBC) have further cemented their relationship in a deal that will see MBC TV being carried on the DStv platform in Malawi.

MBC TV will launch on DStv across the country on the 18^th February 2013 at 11:00 CAT on the IS20 platform.

 “MultiChoice is proud to bring MBC TV to our viewers in Malawi. This partnership expands our carriage of local content and enables us to deliver MBC TVs Free-to-Air channels to a much wider audience, while offering viewers a wider range of entertainment options with improved picture quality,” said Thabo Moabi, MultiChoice Africa Regional Director for Southern Africa.

“We also recognise the valuable contribution that the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has made in working with us to reach this important milestone, and thank them for their positive input into the process,” he added.

MBC TV is a 24-hour free-to-air general entertainment channel that broadcasts in English & Chichewa. The public broadcast channel, owned by the Malawian government, was launched in April 1999. It will now be available to the Premium, Compact+, Compact, Family, and Access bouquets, as well as all Combination bouquets and add-ons, on Channel 295.

MBC TV’s schedule includes news, religion, children’s programming, music, lifestyle, movies and general entertainment. The channel’s flagship shows include the likes of feature programme Mbiri, and music shows such as African Stars, Zapaphata and Music Splash.

Moabi continued: “We have come a long way since DStv was first launched as Malawi’s first terrestrial pay TV service in May 1998. Since shortly thereafter, we have worked to support MBC TV (then known as TVM), assisting with various requirements in the build-up to its own launch, including technical expertise, transmission equipment and installations.”

As the pioneers of terrestrial television broadcasting in the country, MultiChoice Malawi was instrumental in creating the platform for public awareness and education in a new industry, the emergence of various associated businesses, technical training and advice to people in a new sector, creating opportunity for formal and informal employment and establishing a television culture.

“A strong and mutually beneficial partnership has been built between MultiChoice Malawi and MBC TV, and we are delighted that our relationship will prosper with the inclusion of MBC TV on our DStv and GOtv bouquets. I would like to assure all our viewers that we will continue to deliver the best customer service as well as flexibility in pricing and choice,” concluded Moabi.

Commenting on the agreement, MBC TV Director of Engineering, Mr Joseph Chikagwa said: “We are confident that our partnership with MultiChoice will deliver excellent new benefits to both our companies as well as all our viewers. We believe the combination of MBC TV’s quality local content along with DStv’s technological expertise, reach and quality of signal offer a unique opportunity to meet the country’s information needs.”