The SABC and MultiChoice have reached an agreement that will see the 2023 Rugby World Cup being screened live on the public broadcaster’s channels.
The Rugby World Cup tournament gets under way in France on Friday, with Springboks opening their campaign against Scotland on Sunday.
On Thursday, Minister of Sport Zizi Kodwa and Multichoice both released statements expressing their satisfaction after the Rugby World Cup broadcast deal was brokered.
This means that millions of South Africans will be able to watch the Springboks defend the Webb Ellis trophy that they won in Japan in 2019.
Supersport, a subsidiary of MultiChoice, holds rights to broadcast the tournament. It has been locked in locked in last-minute negotiations with SABC bosses to acquire the rights.
It had emerged that the fee demanded by the pay-channel was a stumbling block that led to a deadlock, and almost a TV blackout of the broadcast of the tournament.
Said Kodwa via a statement: “I welcome this groundbreaking agreement which allows all South Africans to watch champions, the Springboks as they defend their world title.
“Rugby has the potential to unite our people and to foster social cohesion and national unity. We have seen this in the times the Springboks have [won] the Rugby World Cup.”
In a statement, MultiChoice confirmed that after the SABC accepted its proposal on August 18, it has reached an agreement in principle to sub-licence broadcast rights to the SABC.
“A total of 16 matches may be broadcast by the SABC including the opening ceremony and opening match.
“[It may also broadcast] all matches that the Springboks participate in, two quarterfinal matches, one semifinal, the bronze final, the final, and the closing ceremony.
“Should the Springboks not qualify for the knockout stages, the above matches will, in any event, be available for broadcast.”
Marc Jury, CEO of MultiChoice South Africa, said: “We are pleased to have reached an arrangement with the SABC in the spirit of cooperation.”
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