[ad_1]
The public broadcaster is investigating the impact the new agreement between the league and the television company will have on its constitutional mandate.
South African Broadcast Corporation (SABC) will seek legal advice on the impact that the new partnership between PSL and DStv will have on the station’s mandate.
DStv replaced Absa as the league’s main sponsor and details of the deal are expected to be unveiled at Wednesday’s press conference.
The agreement reached by PSL and DStv has made fans wonder if local soccer would also be available on the free broadcast station.
As it stands, SuperSport International, another company owned by MultiChoice Group, has the broadcast rights and this has often left the SABC with no choice but to pick up less attractive matches, especially on weekends.
Since SABC lost rights to broadcast local games to SuperSport, soccer fans who rely on free channels have not been able to watch games on weekdays regularly from the comfort of their own homes.
Additionally, the national broadcaster has been unable to secure matches for high-profile teams like the Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs, even on weekends due to their well-documented financial woes.
PSL President Dr. Irvin Khoza assured the nation in his press conference earlier this week that the agreement signed between the league, SABC and SuperSport will remain unchanged.
This, according to the Khoza statement, means that SABC will continue to broadcast local matches for the next season.
However, it appears that SABC is panicking and they will go ahead and consult their attorneys to ensure that those who rely on free-to-air channels to watch football can still do so, even with DStv on board as the league’s title sponsor.
“The SABC will receive legal advice on how this association will negatively affect its constitutional mandate to offer sports of national interest to the public, especially the millions of South Africans who depend solely on SABC’s free channels for education, information and entertainment,” SABC acting spokesperson Mmoni Seapolelo told City Press.
According to media reports, the SABC currently pays R280 million a year for 144 official matches.
This package includes select Cup and League matches as well as the Soweto Derby between the Kaizer Chiefs and the Orlando Pirates.
