TopStar Communications Company Limited Responds to Football Association of Zambia 72-Hour Ultimatum Over MTN Super League Broadcast Impasse

02.03.2026 | Football DNA

TopStar Communications Company Limited has responded to the 72-hour ultimatum issued by the Football Association of Zambia to the Zambian Premier League regarding the ongoing broadcasting standoff affecting the MTN Super League.

FAZ president Keith Mweemba recently expressed disappointment over the failure to air league matches since Week 12, warning that contractual obligations must be honoured and indicating that legal action could be considered if the matter is not resolved promptly.

In a press statement dated March 2, TopStar said it was necessary to “set the record straight” on its role in the non-broadcast of matches.

Production Responsibilities Disputed

At the centre of the dispute is the five-year, US$5 million broadcasting agreement signed in August last year between the ZPL and TopStar.

According to TopStar, production responsibilities fall under the ZPL’s mandate. The broadcaster stated that under the contract, ZPL is obligated to subcontract production houses to generate match feeds, which TopStar then distributes across its platforms.

The company revealed that it has not received any match feed from ZPL-contracted production houses since November 2025, making it impossible to air the games.

FAZ’s Firm Position

Mweemba described the matter as “so dear to my heart,” stressing the need to create a win-win situation with cooperating partners while ensuring stakeholders benefit from commercial agreements tied to domestic football.

He also referenced possible engagement with alternative broadcasters such as SuperSport and Azam TV, citing recent legal changes that offer greater flexibility in broadcast arrangements.

TopStar assumed the broadcast rights following the conclusion of FAZ’s 18-year partnership with SuperSport, which began in 2007 and ushered in live league broadcasts from the 2008 season.

Commitment to Continue

Despite the impasse, TopStar maintained that it remains committed to broadcasting the MTN Super League and has the full capacity to fulfil its contractual obligations.

The company confirmed that discussions with the ZPL are ongoing and progressing well, with an announcement on the resumption of broadcasts expected soon.

In addition to the broadcasting deal, TopStar pledged K960,000 towards sponsorship of the ZPL Annual Awards, highlighting its continued commercial investment in Zambian football.

The current agreement covers league matches scheduled for broadcast on the TopStar Mobile App, Sun Sport, ZNBC TV3, Sports Focus and StarTimes platforms.