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Karl Schembri
The Malta Broadcasting Authority should be in a position to grant new TV station licences towards the end of May, according to its Chairman Joseph Said Pullicino.
Speaking to MaltaToday, Dr Said Pullicino said a report on the viability of opening new stations was being drawn up for the authority following an expression of interest from seven applicants to open new TV stations last year. The applicants are Alternattiva Demokratika, Allied Newspapers (publishers of The Times), Where’s Everybody? (producers of Xarabank and BondiPlus), Front Maltin Inqumu (Dom Mintoff’s anti-EU movement), Joe Grima (owner of XFM radio), and a Gozitan priest.
“From the submissions we’ve received, including Alternattiva’s, there are two or three that would be viable,” the BA chairman said.
Dr Said Pullicino said the report – which will give insight into the current situation of broadcasting and possible niches to explore – should be ready by the end of this month. Following its conclusion, the BA will receive official applications for the opening of new TV stations.
Asked how many licences will be granted, Dr Said Pullicino said the BA had not yet decided.
“We should be able to take a decision and grant new licences by the end of May,” he said.
At present there are six Maltese television stations licensed by the Broadcasting Authority: Television Malta, Super One Television, Net Television, Smash Television, Channel 12 and Channel 22.
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