No deal between MultiChoice, SABC for Cricket World Cup broadcast rights
Satellite television service MultiChoice and the public broadcaster have failed to reach an agreement on the broadcast rights for the ICC Cricket World Cup.
In a statement, MultiChoice said the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) had, on Monday night, rejected its proposal for the sub-license on the basis of the proposed fee.
"This is notwithstanding MultiChoice offering the rights to the SABC on significantly reduced commercial terms, given its current circumstances. MultiChoice is disappointed at the rejection of its various proposals,” said MultiChoice’s Litlhare Moteetee.
READ: Permanent solution needed for broadcasting of national teams – Kodwa
In its own announcement of the failed talks, the SABC said it had once again been disadvantaged “due to unaffordable licensing fees”.
“This development is regrettable, and the corporation would like to apologise to all Cricket fans and all South Africans,” said the broadcaster’s Mmoni Seapolelo.
MEDIA STATEMENT | THE SABC WILL NOT BROADCAST CRICKET WORLD CUP 2023
— SABC (@SABCPortal) October 3, 2023
For more: https://t.co/nFs0CDecN3 pic.twitter.com/OeRxsLXBSx
Seapolelo said the outcome was regrettable, and while the SABC remained committed to broadcasting sports of national interest, it would not do so in a manner that was detrimental to the organisation.
This comes less than a month after the two entities wrestled over the R38 million price tag that MultiChoice put on the broadcast right for the Rugby World Cup.
A last-minute agreement was reached, prompting Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa to call for a permanent solution for broadcast rights that would ensure South Africans could watch national team games on television.
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