The SABC and Multichoice are yet to agree on a deal to allow the natiobal broadcaster to air the Cricket World Cup. Picture: Samuel Shivambu, BackpagePix
The South African Broadcast Corporation’s (SABC) bid to screen the 2023 Cricket World Cup has taken a turn for the worst.
Multichoice, the rights holder for cricket in Sub-Saharan Africa, said in a statement that “after prolonged negotiations the SABC has rejected their latest proposal to possibly sub-license the broadcast rights of the World Cup on the basis of a proposed fee”.
In late September the national broadcaster announced they made an offer to Multichoice to air the tournament which gets under way on October 5 in India.
The statement went on to say that Multichoice are disappointed that the SABC has rejected their offer as the broadcasting company says they offered significantly reduced commercial terms, given it’s current circumstances.
Another stand off between SABC and SuperSports (Multichoice). Apparently SABC rejected MultiChoice’s Fee for sub-license of broadcasting rights to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. SABC refusing to pay the undisclosed fee pic.twitter.com/lx8OMVjjRQ
— SITHALE✍🏿 (@SithaleKgaogelo) October 3, 2023
This isn’t the first time the two parties are at odds just days before a World Cup.
Rugby fans were left wondering if they would be able to watch the Springboks at the Rugby World Cup in France, but Multichoice and the SABC were able to broker a deal on the eve of the tournament, with various sponsors coming on board to help the SABC pay.
Right now it remains to be seen if local cricket fans will be able to see the Proteas in action on free-to-air television.
South Africa start their against Sri Lanka on the October 7, as Temba Bavuma and his team go in search for that elusive Cricket World Cup title.
@AliciaPillay56