The problem with the distribution of MAX One among some of the major television operators in Bulgaria may be close to resolution. This became clear from the words of the president of the Bulgarian Volleyball Federation, Lyubomir Ganev, in the Sportcast Volleyball podcast.
Ganev does not name MAX One directly, but refers to the "free channel" of one of the federation's partners. From the context of the conversation, however, it becomes clear that it is indeed MAX One, which this summer broadcasts most of the matches of the Bulgarian national teams.
However, the channel still does not reach subscribers of some of the major television operators, and this has become a serious problem for volleyball fans this summer. During Bulgaria's matches, broadcast on MAX One, some viewers were unable to watch them through their TV provider.
In the conversation, Ganev deliberately avoids naming specific companies and even suggests that their names be left out of the discussion. However, he explains what he believes is the economic issue delaying the channel's distribution.
"I'm launching a free channel. I'm giving it for free to all other operators," Ganev explains, presenting the situation from the perspective of the company behind the channel.
The President of the BFV points out that the other operators at the same time distribute the paid sports channels of the same company and receive revenue from subscriptions for them. According to him, this is where the economic conflict arises – if viewers receive mainly Bulgarian sports and matches of our national teams on the freely accessible MAX One, some of them might lose interest in the additionally paid sports packages.

Ganev: They have already reached a principal agreement

The most important news from the words of the BFV president, however, is that, according to the information he has, there is already movement towards resolving the problem.
"As far as I know, they have already reached a principal agreement," Ganev states.
He expresses hope that the issue will be resolved before the Men's European Championship, which starts on September 9, with Sofia being one of the four host cities.
It is important to clarify here that Ganev is talking about a principal understanding and is not reporting on final signed contracts between television operators.

"People don't care if the operators have agreed"

The topic was also raised by Sportcast Volleyball host Petar Stoyanov, who drew attention precisely to the problem that fans have been facing all summer.
"People don't care if the operators have agreed or not, they care that Bulgaria and the USA are playing and they can't watch it," Stoyanov commented.
Ganev agrees that for the BFV, the most important thing is for the national teams' matches to reach the widest possible audience.
He also reveals that, according to his information, small cable operators reached agreements for the distribution of the channel relatively quickly, while with the large companies, the process dragged on.
At the same time, the president of the BFV also shows understanding for the economic logic of the operators who were not quick to reach an agreement.
For volleyball fans, however, the most important thing from what Ganev said is something else – after the situation surrounding access to MAX One that lasted all summer, there may now be a breakthrough. It remains for the principal understanding, which the president of the BFV spoke about, to turn into a real agreement and for the channel to reach a wider range of television subscribers before the start of EuroVolley 2026 for men.