News Desk
PSM and MediaNet have signed an agreement to broadcast the 2026 World Cup live and free of charge across the Maldives.
At the signing ceremony, PSM Managing Director Ahmed Shakeeb said all matches will be shown without any subscription fees. He described the arrangement as a gift from the Government to young people and said PSM aims to ensure nationwide access throughout the tournament, reflecting President Muizzu’s administration’s commitment to expanding free public broadcasting.
MediaNet holds the official broadcasting licence for the tournament in the Maldives. This is the first time a private Maldivian company has secured a distribution agreement with FIFA.
This year’s World Cup will be the largest to date, with 48 countries competing in more than 100 matches. Fixtures will run across noon, evening and early morning slots due to the expanded format and multiple host cities.
Background: MediaNet and PSM
MediaNet is the Maldives’ largest pay TV and digital entertainment provider, operating nationwide through cable, IPTV and satellite distribution. The company holds long term partnerships with major regional and international broadcasters and has historically secured rights for major sporting events, including the Premier League, Champions League and previous World Cups.
MediaNet’s role in the 2026 World Cup is notable because it obtained the official distribution licence agreement with FIFA, marking the first time a private Maldivian company has signed such a deal.
MediaNet remains the dominant pay TV and digital distribution company in the Maldives, monopolising most subscription households and key sports broadcasting rights. The company is owned by a small group of influential shareholders, and its market position has long been described by regulators as a de facto monopoly.
The Maldives Broadcasting Commission has, at various points, explored measures to increase competition in the sector, but no significant structural changes have taken hold. The company also charges some of the highest subscription prices in the local market.
Public Service Media (PSM) is the state broadcaster of the Maldives. It operates TVM, YES TV, Dhivehi FM, Voice of Maldives and other public channels. PSM has traditionally carried major international tournaments on free to air television, including previous World Cups. The organisation’s mandate includes nationwide access to public broadcasting, cultural programming and major national events.
PSM’s partnership with MediaNet for the 2026 World Cup allows the tournament to be aired free of charge across the country. The agreement aligns MediaNet’s licensing rights with PSM’s public service mandate, enabling free nationwide coverage of what will be the largest World Cup to date.
