No end in sight for PSL blackout on SABC
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) continues to struggle securing broadcasting rights to the Premier Soccer League games.
The SABC was backed into a tight corner after it failed to secure the secondary rights to broadcast games on television and radio when the 2019/20 season started last week.
The public broadcaster is reportedly also not airing PSL scores on its news and sport bulletins.
In a statement, the SABC revealed that it would have to pay SuperSport R280 million for 144 matches per year for broadcasting rights.
"In light of no agreement in place between the SABC and the PSL, the SABC is not in a position to cover games and conduct interviews as they would have formed part of the agreement of how the SABC covers PSL related activities," says SABC spokesperson, Vuyo Mthembu.
Last week the public broadcaster met with the ministers of communication and sports, arts and culture to try and find a solution to the impasse.
In a joint statement, the departments said: "These discussions are taking place against the backdrop of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) being hard at work to formulate a regulatory framework that will ensure equal access of sport broadcasting rights by all the broadcasters including the free-to-air channels."
