PBS awarded rights for National team, Under-21 matches

Public Broadcasting Services were awarded the television and radio rights for Malta ‘A’ national team and Under-21 national team matches until October 2013. This was announced during a press conference at the Centenary Hall on Tuesday.

The contract covers the senior side’s home matches from the 2014 FIFA World Cup and other friendly matches played during the same period and the remaining UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifiers and Under-21 friendly matches until the end of October 2013.

MFA Chief Executive Officer Bjorn Vassallo said the association was proud to announce this new deal which would help more people follow the national teams. He said supporters were a very important component for the national teams.

Vassallo said the association has concluded a sponsorship deal with FXDD and will soon unveil other partners – local and foreign – which would help the MFA launch more initiatives for the benefit of the national team. These include the reduction in ticket prices, visits by national team players to various schools, Open Days and stadium tours.

For Wednesday’s game against Liechtenstein, there will be open gates.

Bjorn Vassallo said that broadcasting national team matches on the national TV station provided an opportunity to all to watch the team if unable to attend for one reason or another.

The MFA CEO concluded by thanking PBS Programmes’ Manager Reuben Zammit and PBS Sports Co-Ordinator Peter Cossai and said the MFA is proud to be associated with PBS, praising them for the leap in quality in the programmes being broadcasted on TVM.

MFA Head of Legal Department Dr Chris Bonnett spoke in more detail about the contract and explained that the two parties are discussing the possibility of pre-match and post-match programmes apart from the games.

PBS Programmes’ Manager Reuben Zammit said sports was a priority for PBS and in fact, the company has invested heavily for this purpose.

Zammit revealed that sports will be one of the most important components of TVM 2 which will be launched shortly. The new television station will feature mainly sports, educational programmes, culture and current affairs.

PBS Sports Co-ordinator said the objective of PBS was to provide televiewers a complete programme – with pre-match features and interviews and post-match interviews and analysis – when broadcasting matches.

He explained that the sports content on TVM and TVM 2 will include the EURO 2012, the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League and the Olympic Games.

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