Public Broadcasting Services attempted to axe its popular television programme Xarabank but then reversed its decision, the Times of Malta has learnt.
Sources told the Times of Malta that Xarabank presenter Peppi Azzopardi was informed recently that his show would no longer be aired after a 19-year run.
Mr Azzopardi, contacted yesterday, played coy about the attempt to axe his show.
Asked when he was informed that Xarabank was being axed and the reason behind the decision, Mr Azzopardi declined to answer.
“As per your query… kindly note that negotiations on Xarabank with PBS are still ongoing as we speak,” Mr Azzopardi said in reply.
I have no idea what you are talking about;today was my first day at PBS
This paper is informed that the decision was taken by PBS while the station was between CEOs. The Times of Malta revealed on July 30 that former CEO Anton Attard would be replaced by TV presenter John Bundy.
Mr Bundy denied any knowledge of the attempt to axe Xarabank when contacted yesterday.
“I have no idea what you are talking about; today was my first day at PBS,” Mr Bundy said.
Sources told this paper that Mr Bundy was “furious” when he was informed about the decision, which risked being seen as an attempt by the government to shift the blame for axing the popular programme onto him.
PBS sources said the national broadcaster agreed with Mr Azzopardi yesterday to continue discussions on the programme’s future, over a week after the TV presenter was told the show would be halted.
Xarabank regularly draws large audiences, with Broadcasting Authority surveys regularly showing that it enjoys the largest television ratings.
Asked specifically to explain why PBS had initially decided to axe Xarabank then soon after had reversed the decision, the national broadcaster’s chairman, Tonio Portughese, replied by saying that the upcoming schedule had yet to be finalised.
“With reference to your query related to our winter and autumn schedules, please note that PBS Ltd is still in the process of completing the 2016-7 programme schedules. This will be officially launched in the near future as in previous years,” Mr Portughese said.
Sources said that Xarabank’s Friday night slot was set to be given to Reporter, which is presented by Malta Today managing editor Saviour Balzan.
Malta Today’s sister paper Illum reported in June that Economy Minister Chris Cardona’s campaign team promised changes at PBS during his successful Labour Party deputy leadership bid.
Illum quoted an unnamed member of Dr Cardona’s campaign team as saying the changes referred specifically to Xarabank.
A few months ago, Dr Cardona said on TVM’s Dissett that the hostility shown to him during an edition of Xarabank was “incredible”.
“I felt that I was in a minority when I am a minister in a government that is supposed to give political direction to PBS,” he told presenter Reno Bugeja.