SABC looking to resolve PSL 'blackout'
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) says it is willing to look into solutions to bring back Premier Soccer League (PSL) games to millions of football lovers.
This comes after the public broadcaster announced at the weekend it would not be able to broadcast the PSL fixture for the 2019/20 season due to financial constraints.
Speaking in Auckland Park, Chief Operations Officer Craig Van Rooyen said the offer made by SuperSport in exchange for broadcast rights is not in their best interest.
"I apologise to the citizens of South African that we could not bring their favourite sport to them.
"But we have to do it at an affordable cost."
In a statement, the SABC revealed that it would have to pay SuperSport R280 million for 144 matches per year for broadcasting rights.
"In the interest of the South African public and fulfilling our public mandate, the SABC is willing to engage in any stakeholders who will assist in resolving this impasse," says the public broadcaster’s spokesperson, Vuyo Mthembu.
She said the SABC maintains that it will not enter into agreements that will lead to further loss of revenue after it lost at least R1.3 billion as a result of broadcasting the PSL games in the last five years.
"The SABC will not enter into agreements which are not commercially viable," said Mthembu.
The broadcaster is expected to meet with Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa on the matter.