SABC to air Premier League – but with a catch!
South African soccer fans are over the moon following news that SABC has officially acquired the rights to air the English Premier League, previously exclusive to DStv. The announcement was made on Wednesday, 20 July. BUT, there is a catch… ALSO READ: Multichoice loses billions: Why SA viewers are dumping DSTV TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE? […]
South African soccer fans are over the moon following news that SABC has officially acquired the rights to air the English Premier League, previously exclusive to DStv.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, 20 July.
BUT, there is a catch…
ALSO READ: Multichoice loses billions: Why SA viewers are dumping DSTV
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE? SABC PICKS UP ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
In a statement, the SABC revealed that the English Premier League will begin airing as soon as next month.
It read: “The public broadcaster says the acquisition is a testament to the SABC’s commitment to continuously fulfil its public service mandate by providing access to sports of national interest to South African citizens.
“The English Premier League season will kick-off on the 12th of August and will be broadcast to South Africa across the SABC Sport linear TV and digital platforms.
MEDIA STATEMENT | SABC ACQUIRES THE BROADCASTING RIGHTS FOR EPL
Johannesburg – Wednesday, 19 July 2023 – SABC is pleased to announce the acquisition of the world’s most followed football league, The English Premier League.
For more: https://t.co/2kP9SSH8ZQ pic.twitter.com/qQGpB34hId
— SABC (@SABCPortal) July 19, 2023
“SABC Sport will be the primary broadcast platform with SABC 3, the SABC Sport website, and SABC Plus also carrying the matches live simultaneously”.
According to SABC, it would also air “a live studio build-up with match previews and latest team and player news”. This would be presented by the SABC Sports anchors and top analysts, both on TV and Digital platforms.”
But there is a catch…
Before you cancel your DSTV description, iDiski Times revealed that SABC would ONLY air “one Premier League game per weekend for 34 weeks at 3pm on SABC3 every Saturday”.
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SABC put out a statement acting like they will broadcast all English Premier League matches, they didn't include it in the statement but it's confirmed they will show “one game per weekend for 34 weeks at 3pm on SABC3 every Saturday”.
I hope you guys didn't curse DSTV yet pic.twitter.com/l3va6I1Bv7
— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) July 19, 2023
SOCCER FANS NOT IMPRESSED
On social media, soccer fans were not impressed by SABC’s English Premier League news.
@Am_Blujay: “What a waste of excitement… Back to DStv”
@jobsmokoena: “They are just blowing this trumpet, knowing well they are no match to DStv. SABC just does not have what it takes.”
@FsTebza: “They can’t even afford PSL midweek games.”
@MokoneNgwato: “No midweek games, one game per weekend in a league with 20 teams is a joke. If we have to be honest, we can’t expect SABC to get full EPL games when they can’t get the same for PSL or even Mvela League. We need to manage our expectations as football lovers.” – Twitter
We know SABC will play crystal place matches and other small teams not the matches we want pic.twitter.com/BjdT8eVs3a
— ChrisExcel (@ChrisExcel102) July 19, 2023