Good news for Springbok and Protea match broadcasts

Communications minister Solly Malatsi says his department is working on an Audio and Audio-Visual White Paper to determine which sporting events featuring national teams should be free in South Africa.

This is revealed in the minister’s response to parliamentary questions from ANC MP Mzoleli Mrara. Malatsi’s department is working with the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie.

“The department is in the process of developing an Audio and Audio-Visual White Paper that will address the broadcast or streaming of sports events of national interest irrespective of the technology used,” said Malatsi.

Deciding which sporting events are of national interest will include considering criteria such as national importance and cultural significance.

“The broadcasting rights of sporting events of national interest being offered to free-to-air channels ensures that coverage of these events will be widely available to audiences and ensures accessibility and inclusivity of all citizens,” the minister said.

The broadcasting of sports events featuring national teams, particularly the Springboks and Proteas, has been a point of contention for some time now.

Free-to-air broadcasters eMedia and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) have locked horns with DStv owner MultiChoice on several occasions over rights to broadcast live matches featuring the teams.

MultiChoice’s SuperSport holds exclusive rights to broadcast these events, and a major concern is that it prevents poorer residents from watching live matches, as full SuperSport access requires a DStv Premium subscription.

McKenzie issued a “friendly warning” to the broadcasters in July, saying he would leverage previously unused legislation to resolve the feud and enable all South Africans to watch their national teams.

However, his rhetoric softened following a meeting with MultiChoice, in which he thanked the pay-TV giant for the billions it pumps into local sports.

“We had a very progressive meeting at MultiChoice Group. I thanked them for the billions they pour into sports, arts, and culture,” the minister said in a post on Twitter.

“We spoke about solutions regarding the problems of access to main matches by most South Africans and I left the meeting highly impressed. The future is indeed bright.”

In late August 2024, the SABC secured a last-minute deal with SuperSport to broadcast the Springboks’ Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand on Saturday, 31 August 2024.

The broadcasters came to an agreement for the occasion as it marked 30 years of democracy in South Africa.

However, McKenzie noted that MultiChoice was taking a loss on the deal and couldn’t be expected to do the same for other matches featuring South African national teams.

“Let’s be honest about it. SuperSport is going to suffer some financial losses, but they said this is not important for us at the moment. It’s important that the nation sees the game,” the minister said.

At the time, he said he and Malatsi would approach the Minister of Finance and National Treasury to fund sub-licensing rights for the SABC.

He explained that government couldn’t expect MultiChoice to show high-profile matches for free when it pays substantial sums to sporting organisations for the rights to broadcast them.

Sporting organisations rely on the income from broadcast rights to develop the sports they oversee.