Seven replies to BA call for expressions of interest in TV licence

The Broadcasting Authority announced yesterday it has received seven replies to its call for an expression of interest in a television licence to broadcast on a national level.

Those replying to the authority's call are Allied Newspapers Ltd, Alternattiva Demokratika, former Maltacom chairman Tony Mejlaq, Where's Everybody?, Joe Grima on behalf of International Communications Corporation, Dr Anna Mallia on behalf of Front Maltin Inqumu and Fr John Baptist Farrugia.

The television industry in Malta is dominated by state television, which is in dire financial straits, and the two political stations - Net Television and Super 1 Television. There is also Smash Television, which according to BA surveys has negligible viewership. Most of the entities which have expressed an interest in setting up a television station have strong connections with the media and politics.

Industry sources yesterday questioned whether some of those who are showing an interest have the backing to sustain a quality-oriented television station. "What happened over the past decade is that the political institutions on the island have hijacked the television industry. Everyone is aware that Max+, which used to produce quality local programmes, did not survive and had to close down."

Net TV and Super 1 TV are supported by the political parties and their supporters and TVM by the government and the taxpayers. The other television station, Smash TV, operates on an incredibly low budget.

"One hopes that the entity or entities entrusted by the BA to set up a national television will have the necessary infrastructure to offer the Maltese public a good mix of local and foreign productions, news and current affairs programmes as requested by law."

Most of those who have expressed interest are very well known with the public. Allied Newspapers Ltd are the publishers of The Times and The Sunday Times which, surveys have shown consistently, lead in readership.

Alternattiva Demokratika is the only political party without a television station but they own a radio station, Capital Radio. Where's Everybody? is the production house owned by popular presenters Peppi Azzopardi and Lou Bondi. Their third shareholder is P.J. Vassallo, who takes care of the technical side of the business.

Front Maltin Inqumu, which is headed by former prime ministers Dom Mintoff and Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, is another entity which has expressed interest in having a national station. The front is the only remaining organisation which continues to oppose EU membership.

Another expression of interest was made by Joe Grima, a former Labour minister and a veteran broadcaster. Mr Grima, who is now one of the key personalities on Net Television, was the founder of Radio One Live in the beginning of pluralism back in the early nineties. He is also the brains behind F'Idejn l-Imhallef aired on state television with the participation of former chief justice Giuseppe Mifsud Bonnici.

Former Maltacom chairman Tony Mejlaq, who has now set up his own firm, Techninvest Ltd, as well as Fr John Baptist Farrugia are the two other persons who have expressed interest in owning their television station.

The Broadcasting Authority said it would be considering the expressions of interest in the light of available frequencies. It said it welcomed comments and suggestions from members of the public on any of the expressions of interest by not later than noon of August 4.