Media Release: Perfomance Overview of Airtel Top T8 Broadcasting Rights Revenue under Mpira TV Project

Introduction

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) in collaboration with the Super League of Malawi (SULOM) established Mpira TV, a subscription-based TV channel as a key driver of football commercialisation. In the 2021 season, FAM and SULOM used the Airtel Top 8 as a launchpad for optimization of Mpira TV broadcasting rights.

Revenue Streams

The gross revenue generated amounted to MK26.3 million. The table below highlights the performance of each revenue centres within the 7-week period of Airtel Top competition.

Source of RevenueAmount (MK)% Contribution
Radio broadcasting rights         6,500,000.0024.7%
Airtel Value – adding rights package       12,000,000.0045.7%
Mpira TV feed         1,500,000.005.7%
Mpira TV advertising             700,000.002.7%
Mpira TV subscription         5,568,670.0021.2%
 Gross revenue       26,268,670.00100%

Mpira Pay TV Subscription

Total of 2, 595 subscribers were registered within the 5 of the 7-week period of Airtel Top 8. The figures could have been higher if it were not for some challenges that the project faced at its very initial take off stage. This performance aligns with our initial growth projection of 10,000 subscribers within a year with potential monthly revenue of K25 million and K300 million annually.

Revenue Distribution to Teams

After taking out production and administration costs for our technical partners (host content producer and host broadcaster) on average the teams will receive 80% while FAM and SULOM 10% each.  The total amount available for distribution to the teams is K14.5 million which translates to each team receiving K657,353.30 per match as detailed below.

TeamMatches playedAmount
Nyasa Big Bullets42,629,413
Silver Strikers42,629,413
CIVO Sporting31,972,060
Mighty Wanderers31,972,060
TN Stars21,314,707
Karonga United21,314,707
Moyale Barracks21,314,707
MAFCO FC21,314,707
  14,461,773

Conclusion

As can be noted from the above performance the Mpira pay TV project has huge potential to turn around the fortunes of our football industry in Malawi and therefore deserves support from all key stakeholders.

July 14, 2025

Mitundu Baptist reclaimed 2nd spot of NBS Bank NDL after beating Bangwe All Stars 2-1 

Mitundu Baptist FC, who were displaced on Saturday from the second position of the NBS Bank National Division League...
July 12, 2025

Baka City leapfrog over Bangwe  as Red Lions maintain lead

Baka City have this Saturday afternoon beaten Chilumba Barracks 1-0 at Chitipa Stadium to  take second place of the...
July 10, 2025

Jnr Flames chase first Cosafa Final appearance in 22 years.

The Malawi Under 20 national team will be looking to qualify for their first Cosafa Under 20 Championship final...
July 10, 2025

Airtel top 8 final tickets go on sale

The Football Association of Malawi has today started selling tickets for the highly anticipated Airtel Top 8 Final match...
July 9, 2025

NBM championship completes football pyramid

At the unbundling of the National Bank of Malawi NBM PLC’s K1 billion sponsorships held this morning at Mpira...
July 9, 2025

FAM, National Bank unveils first-ever national women’s football league

In a valiant step that remained unfulfilled for many years to form a robust structured and competitive national women’s...