Rugby World Cup: Kodwa hopeful SABC and Supersport will reach agreement
Supersport confirmed that it did not reach an agreement with the SABC in terms of broadcasting rights for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa has urged the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and pay channel SuperSport to find a solution regarding the broadcasting of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
This comes as SuperSport has confirmed a failure to reach an agreement with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) for the sub-licensing of broadcast rights to the highly-anticipated global showpiece, which gets under way on Friday, 8 September.
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According to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Kodwa engaged with Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Mondli Gungubele, and with SABC Acting CEO Nada Wotshela, SABC COO Ian Plaatjes and SABC Head of Sport Ms Keletso Totlhanyo on the matter, urging the public broadcaster to find a solution so it can fulfill its mandate to fulfil its mandate to cover sport of national interest.
Kodwa said he is concerned that millions of South Africans may be unable to watch the Rugby World Cup should the SABC not be able to broadcast matches in the tournament.
“My commitment is to give South Africans access to all sports codes. I am hopeful that an agreement will be reached between SABC and Supersport. Rugby plays a critical role in nation building and social cohesion. It is important that millions of South Africans can watch the Springboks continue to lift the nation at the Rugby World Cup,” the minister said.
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As previously reported by The South African, SuperSport said it is disappointed that it has not reached an agreement with the SABC for the sub-licensing of broadcast rights to the 2023 Rugby World Cup despite SuperSport having made various proposals to the public broadcaster on reasonable commercial terms.
“SuperSport has approached these discussions in good faith, reflecting its genuine commitment to the nation’s rugby enthusiasts. It has used its best efforts to conclude a fair and commercially viable agreement,” the pay channel said in a statement.
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