Med.tv: A new lens on the Mediterranean
With a diverse background in law, diplomacy, and business, Anton Tabone discusses with MONEY the launch of Med.tv, a pan-Mediterranean TV channel aimed at showcasing the region's culture, history, and diversity. From addressing challenges to fostering inclusivity, Tabone shares his vision for creating a platform that connects and represents the Mediterranean on a global scale.
Can you share the inspiration behind the establishment of Med.tv and what motivated you to become a shareholder in this venture?
I was looking to invest in a Malta-based project with an international dimension. I was also searching for a project to add intrinsic value to our beloved Malta and help the country resonate internationally. I essentially looked to invest in a project that would add soft power to Malta.
I firmly believe that having Med.TV headquartered in Malta ticks all the boxes I set out to achieve from day one. Of course, a project like Med.TV goes well beyond the confines of Malta. It is intended to showcase the beauty, allure, history, culture, cuisine, music, and more of all the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Med.tv will broadcast the Mediterranean countries as one entire region. I also firmly believe that the uniqueness and the diversity of the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea from north to south and from west to east will offer engaging and entertaining television to all kinds and ages of audiences and contribute to instiling a sense of identity, of shared belonging, amongst the people living in this region of the world. With this vision clear, I invested significantly in this ambitious project. I also managed to raise equity from other investors and started hiring the best people to support me in converting this vision into reality.
What unique value does Med.tv aim to provide its audience, and how does it differentiate itself from other media platforms in the region?
Med.tv is a pan-Mediterranean TV channel. It is an outward-looking international TV channel that will be viewed simultaneously by satellite (on Hotbird) throughout North Africa, Europe, and most of the Middle East. Hence, contrary to other media outlets in other Mediterranean countries with an inward-looking agenda, Med.tv will offer new and exciting television content that transcends national boundaries and differentiates itself from the current standard TV offerings. Med.tv will not transmit news content – I think audiences are already well-served thanks to many TV news channels. Still, the channel will transmit high-profile programs covering business matters in the Mediterranean. We will host Mediterranean-themed discussion programs inviting personalities from various areas - politics, business, tourism, culture, and history - to discuss topics that seldom find a media platform where such issues are viewed and discussed. Public policy can be formulated by creating the right media platform and allowing people to come together and discuss Mediterranean-centric topical matters.
From extensive research we have conducted, it transpires, perhaps contrary to what is widely recognised, that linear TV still has a very strong following and is the most credible source of information among all other media platforms. Med.tv will be broadcast on satellite TV and all social media channels, such as Facebook and Instagram, as well as online and on a dedicated app. Med.tv will also be accessible on cable networks in several countries, including Malta, of course.
Given your extensive law, diplomacy, and business background, how do you envision leveraging your experience to guide Med.tv towards achieving its goals?
Indeed, Med.tv is the sum of my various professional backgrounds. Establishing peace and stability in the Mediterranean has long been on the international political agenda. The international community is still far from achieving the desired results. Regional wars, conflicts and migration issues, amongst others, all need diplomatic solutions. Several regional institutions and fora already exist that address these Mediterranean issues, such as the Union for the Mediterranean or the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean, but much more is needed to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region. Med.tv will welcome the key protagonists on its discussion programs so that audiences can educate themselves on the subject and then formulate their own opinions. Hence, my diplomatic background will contribute to developing the agenda of these Mediterranean-themed discussion programs.
Of course, the experience of having a business background is critical in converting the vision and the idea of establishing Med.tv into a successful business venture. Med. tv's quality content will be visible worldwide on all existing media platforms, potentially targeting hundreds of millions of viewers. This is certainly a unique offering to sponsors and advertisers to have maximum visibility of their brand name internationally.
What challenges have you encountered during the development and launch of Med.tv, and how have you addressed them?
The project at hand is massive. Creating an international TV channel is one of the most challenging business endeavours one can embark upon. It is 18 months in the making. We are trying to create an international TV channel like no other. An experienced London-based media company executive told me that launching a new TV channel can be more complex than launching into outer space! This puts everything about the task at hand into perspective. However, despite the mammoth challenges, I somehow overcame the fear of the unknown and tackled these challenges head-on. This endeavour could not have become a reality without the unconditional support of a small but competent team of professionals who share the same vision. The team is led by Albert Debono, the CEO of Med Media Services Ltd., who, thanks to his experience in the TV industry, business acumen and management skills, has been instrumental in bringing Med.tv to the doorstep of being launched in a couple of months.
How does Med.tv plan to engage with the Mediterranean region's diverse cultural and linguistic communities to ensure inclusive content?
It is precisely the diverse cultural and linguistic nuances that make the Mediterranean what it is today. Med.tv will leverage the universal language of audio-visual communication to celebrate and connect these rich and varied cultures. By showcasing the unique lifestyles, traditions, and heritage of different countries and territories across the Mediterranean, we aim to create a shared cultural tapestry that fosters mutual understanding and respect.
Med.tv will prioritise multilingual content production and distribution to ensure inclusivity, offering programs subtitled or dubbed in key regional languages. This approach ensures accessibility while preserving the authenticity of each culture's voice.
Additionally, Med.tv plans to actively engage local creators, journalists, and cultural organisations in each region, empowering them to tell their stories from their perspectives. Flagship programs like Med What's On will spotlight regional events and celebrations, giving viewers an authentic taste of life across the Mediterranean.
By incorporating interactive platforms, such as social media and live audience participation, Med.tv will invite viewers to contribute their cultural narratives, creating a dynamic and collaborative space for dialogue. This strategy ensures that our content reflects the region's diversity and evolving identity, rooted in shared experiences and distinct local flavours.
What are your aspirations for Med.tv in the next five years, and what impact do you hope it will have on the media landscape in Malta and beyond?
I envision Med.tv becoming a mainstream TV offering during the next 5 years. I envision Med.tv becoming a natural reference point for anything and everything Mediterranean. I expect the channel to be viewed from all corners of the world, significantly contributing to making the Mediterranean region safer for tourism or business purposes. I aspire to see Med.tv contribute its fair share towards showcasing the great attractions and positives that one finds within this region while acting as a counter-force for the struggles and disparities in the area. After 5 years, I hope to have brought all founding investors a significant return on their investment.
Someone once said, "Dare to dream big, then do something about it". I am on that journey….
Mainstream investments like technology, healthcare, and real estate remain foundational to many portfolios. Investors increasingly look at "out-of-the-box" trends that could redefine industries and generate significant returns. Paul Rostkowski highlights a blend of traditional and unconventional investment driven by innovation, societal shifts, and global economic developments.