“They have proved to us that they have the funds to start the project,” he said adding NBB had engaged a reputable accounts firm to do due diligence on MABC TV and the organisation was content with the findings.
“We have taken all the necessary steps to ensure that even the consumers are protected from any form of exploitation,” he said in an interview on Tuesday.
Though he is ‘naturally interested’ in the company sponsorship matter with the Premier League Committee, Dr Mpotokwane said: “We can’t judge them based on the issue.” The company was to sponsor the Premier League for over P60 million but the deal fell through.
Mr Oscar Kubara, the Chief Executive Officer of MABC indicated that the pay television station will start broadcasting in Botswana before January 1, 2009.
“Our licence indicates that we should start broadcasting before the 1st of January 2009,” he said on Tuesday indicating that short terms plans are underway to beat the deadline.
He said the new pay television station will use satellite to broadcast from Botswana to other African countries.
The Premier League sponsorship saga has attracted a lot of bad publicity for the company, which Mr Kubara however said it will not dent its image.
“No publicity is bad publicity. The market is huge. We are headquartered in Botswana and we go beyond the boundaries, so really we will have a large market. The sponsorship saga will not affect our sales here.” He said the television station will target people without access to pay TV.
“Our monthly subscription is P100 so most of our clientele will be in the lower and the middle classes.” He said the station will offer ten competitive and informative channels, which will be increased to 20, as time goes on but he could not disclose such channels.
Meanwhile Mr Kubara apologised for delays in securing the Premier League sponsorship.
“We genuinely want to contribute to the development of sports here and it has been unfortunate that we were unable to avail the funds on time.” The MABC TV comes in the market that is already dominated by Multichoice and has new entrants Black Earth Television. BOPAÂ
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