SA Rugby and the CANAL+ Group, MultiChoice Group’s parent company, have concluded the renewal of their multi-year domestic broadcast rights agreement.
The renewal of the agreement will see SuperSport continue to be the only official broadcast rights holder for all SARU’s domestic competitions and Springbok women’s and junior age-group matches in Sub-Saharan Africa.
First of its kind
This announcement is the first of its kind with a major local sports federation since CANAL+ joined forces with the MultiChoice Group in September last year, reaffirming CANAL+’s long-term commitment to local sport. SuperSport has been a proud SA Rugby broadcast partner for more than 30 years.
SARU President, Mark Alexander, said: “We are very happy to have concluded our first agreement with the MultiChoice Group and CANAL+ Group after a thorough and extensive series of engagements.
“They have demonstrated a shared understanding of the importance of rugby to the South African public and we trust this is the first of many such agreements.”
‘Delighted’
CANAL+ Africa CEO, David Mignot, was delighted with the continuation of the domestic rights agreement, which will make all domestic rugby matches available exclusively on SuperSport.
In South Africa, the SuperSport channels are supplied by Canal+ Africa to MultiChoice (Pty) Ltd, which provides the DStv offering to subscribers.
“As promised, we are doubling down on our investment in local content, including the sports content that matters the most to people on the continent. In the South African market, rugby has grown into becoming a part of the national psyche – as evidenced by the national euphoria that erupted each time the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup,” said Mignot.
Long-standing and trusted partner
SA Rugby CEO, Rian Oberholzer, added: “Broadcasting rights are fundamental to the health and sustainability of sport in South Africa and rugby is no different. SuperSport has been a long-standing and trusted partner to South African rugby, and we are delighted to continue our partnership.
“The world of rugby and broadcasting has changed significantly since we signed our first agreement in the 1990s but it is a testimony to our mutual interests that the partnership continues to endure.”
The agreement spells more bad news for those hoping to watch the Springboks on SABC.
