A sports business analyst has explained how the SABC managed to secure the rights to show the upcoming 2023 AFCON, as well as future CAF competitions.
On Friday, 05 January, the SABC pulled off a major coup, snatching the broadcasting rights for all 52 AFCON 2023 matches, a massive win for football fans across South Africa.
The SABC’s AFCON deal with Togo’s New World Media, who are the rights holder for CAF tournaments, comes amid criticism of SuperSport TV for failing to secure the rights.
Africa’s showpiece set to be staged in the West – Ivory Coast kicks off on the 13th of January, and the SABC has stepped in to fill the void left by pay-TV giant SuperSport TV.
The public broadcaster also clinched a deal to show other CAF tournaments, such as the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, CHAN 2024, WAFCON 2024, CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup.
However, SABC’S AFCON coup has fans and analysts scratching their heads as the financially unstable broadcaster has, over the years struggled to secure rights for sporting events of national interest.
But how did the public broadcaster, often overshadowed by SuperSport TV in major sporting rights battles, land the AFCON rights?
A tenacious sports business expert, speaking on condition of anonymity, has shed light on SABC’s deal with New World TV that made it all possible.
How SABC secured rights to broadcast all 52 games
Despite the euphoria around the country around the SABC having acquired the rights to broadcast CAF competitions, chief of which is the AFCON, the public must, in fact give thanks to the SABC’s sponsors, Hollywoodbets and McDonalds,” the sports business expert told FARPost.
“Without the financial support of these two entities, to the tune of around R50 million, the SABC would not have been able to secure these rights.
“In fact, the SABC’s financial situation continues to deteriorate, having incurred a significant loss of R1.1 billion in the last financial year.
“Prior to the AFCON rights announcement, the SABC also sought sponsorship to help them acquire the rights to broadcast the India tour of SA [cricket series] but found no suitors and were also assisted by sponsors to acquire the sub-license rights for the Rugby World Cup.
“The current trend that the public broadcaster is on is unsustainable. But ultimately for consumers, they will be happy with more sport being broadcast by the SABC.”
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