The Maldives Broadcasting Commission (MBC) is investigating cable TV provider Medianet on suspicion of rebroadcasting ongoing FIFA World Cup football matches without broadcasting rights.
Speaking to news agency Haveeru, MBC Secretary General Noora Ali said the commission was not aware that a special channel set up by Media Net – called ‘Ice’ – had the proper rights to air World Cup matches.
Only the Maldives Broadcasting Corporation’s TVM and private broadcaster Villa TV (VTV) are licensed to broadcast the matches, she said.
Medianet had charged an extra MVR100 from its customers to gain access to Ice.
According to Haveeru, Medianet has now stopped airing Ice. Instead, it is broadcasting World Cup matches through India’s Sony Six channel. Customers will have to pay an additional fee to view the channel, Haveeru said.
