Matthew Vella
The Broadcasting Authority has announced the suspension of the broadcasting licence granted to Far-Fetched Media Limited, which operated channel Family TV.
Family Television Network had ceased broadcasting some time before. In the meantime, the licensee was given the opportunity to submit representations to the Broadcasting Authority, and information whether there were any reasonable prospects that the company could resume broadcasting on a regular basis in the near future.
“The requested information, in fact, was not submitted and, since the authority had no indication whatsoever that the station could resume regular broadcasting in the near future, the board has now agreed to revoke the licence with immediate effect. The licensee has been informed accordingly,” a spokesperson for the authority said.
The station was opened in April 2008 by Andrew Farrugia, a former Smash TV presenter, and Norbert Friggieri from Modern Images Studios. Farrugia and Friggieri were two of the six station owners who also include Vince Mifsud, Martin Gauci, Steve Hoffmann and Farrugia’s wife Liz.
In January 2008, the station was granted a licence by the Broadcasting Authority.
In June 2009, Modern Images initiated legal action against Family TV after the station folded and its manager, Andrew Farrugia, seemingly disappeared.
Modern Image Limited applied for the issue of a warrant of prohibitory injunction to freeze the manager’s assets after Farrugia and his wife could not be traced.
Modern Image, co-owned by Norbert Friggieri, Martin Gauci and US national Steve Hoffmann, claimed Farrugia owes it €36,000. Friggieri said that when Family TV was launched in April 2008 it was meant to be a joint venture between his company and Far Fetched Media. However, soon after the launch, Farrugia ran the show on his own and registered himself and Martin Gauci as Far Fetched Media employees, he added.
The partnership never materialised and, on May 22, Modern Image Ltd disassociated itself from Far Fetched Media. He said there were no legally-binding agreements between the two companies.
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