MBC TV
Malawi’s national public television, also called MBC 1. Watch the news and live events free on your phone, on MBC’s Facebook page, YouTube channel or its own app.
- Live on Facebook
- About 300 MB an hour at 360p
- Chichewa & English
Quick answer: Open MBC’s official Facebook page, MBC Digital (facebook.com/mbctv.malawi), and tap the video marked LIVE. MBC streams its morning and evening news there every day, in Chichewa and English. It is free; you only pay for data, about 300 MB an hour at 360p.
Three ways to watch
Watch MBC TV live on Facebook
This is where MBC streams most: the 8 AM Morning News, Nkhani Mmawa, Nkhani Madzulo, the Evening News, church services and festivals.
Open MBC Digital on Facebook
In the Facebook app or a browser, go to facebook.com/mbctv.malawi, or tap Watch live on Facebook at the top of this guide.
Check the name says MBC Digital with about 1.2 million followers. Copy pages with similar names repost MBC clips.
Find the LIVE video
When MBC is on air, the newest post at the top has a red LIVE label. Tap it to watch.
Not live right now? Open More, then Live (or Videos) to see past live videos, such as today’s news bulletins.
Follow to get alerts
Tap Follow on the page. Facebook can then tell you when MBC goes live, so you do not miss the news.
Facebook may ask you to log in before it plays a video in a browser. The Facebook or Facebook Lite app on your phone is the easiest way to watch.
MBC on YouTube
MBC’s active YouTube channel is MBC Digital 247. It posts reports and programmes such as MBC Zapaphata and Nkhani Zachipembedzo, and streams some big events live, like the 2025 presidential debate. Daily news is live on Facebook, not YouTube.
Ignore channels called “MBC TV Live Stream” or “MBC Malawi”. They are not run by MBC and have not posted for years. The YouTube link on mbc.mw is also out of date, so use the link above.
The MBC Plus app
MBC Plus is Malawi Broadcasting Corporation’s own app. MBC says it carries live TV and radio plus shows on demand.
What about mbc.mw/live? MBC’s website has a Watch MBC TV Live page, but its MBC TV1 player was not working when we checked in October 2026. Use Facebook for now.
How much data does watching MBC TV use?
Rounded typical figures for video; Facebook and YouTube use about the same at the same quality. A 30 minute news bulletin at 360p is about 150 MB. Pick a lower quality in the video’s settings (the gear icon) and turn on Data saver in the app. More ways to stretch a bundle: our mobile data guide.
On a small bundle? MBC Radio 1 carries the news too, free on FM. See how to listen to MBC Radio 1.
Who runs MBC TV?
MBC TV belongs to the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, the country’s public broadcaster. It began in 1999 as Television Malawi (TVM), Malawi’s first national TV station, and joined MBC in 2010.
Today MBC runs two TV channels, MBC TV (MBC 1) and MBC 2, plus Radio 1 and Radio 2. Online, it calls itself MBC Digital. Its head office is at Chichiri in Blantyre.
- Owner
- Malawi Broadcasting Corporation
- Head office
- Chichiri, Blantyre
- On air since
- 1999 (as TVM)
- Live online
MBC TV FAQ
Is it free to watch MBC TV online?
Yes. Facebook, YouTube and the MBC Plus app are free. You only pay for data, about 300 MB an hour at 360p.
Can I watch MBC TV from outside Malawi?
Yes. MBC’s Facebook live videos and YouTube channel work anywhere in the world. Malawi is on Central Africa Time (GMT+2), so check the time at home before the news.
When is MBC news live on Facebook?
Every day: the 8 AM Morning News and Nkhani Mmawa in the morning, then Nkhani Madzulo and the Evening News later in the day. Big events, church services and festivals are streamed live too. Follow the page to get an alert when it goes live.
Which is the official MBC YouTube channel?
MBC Digital 247 (youtube.com/@MBC_Digital247). Channels named “MBC TV Live Stream” or “MBC Malawi” are not MBC’s, and “MBC” channels from Mauritius, Uganda or the Middle East are other broadcasters.
What is the difference between MBC 1 and MBC 2?
MBC TV (MBC 1) is the main channel, with national news and programmes. MBC 2 is MBC’s second TV channel. Both belong to the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation.
Can I watch on a TV set without internet?
Yes. MBC TV is free to air on digital terrestrial TV across Malawi, so a TV with a digital (DVB-T2) tuner or set-top box and an aerial picks it up with no data.
