SuperSport have confirmed the AFCON 2023 will not be broadcast on DSTV and GOTV and football fans have not taken the news lightly.
In a surprising turn of events, Supersport, the go-to sports channel for many DSTV subscribers, has announced they will not be broadcasting the highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 tournament.
A statement which went viral today read:
"SuperSport Channel will not broadcast the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 scheduled for January 13th - February 11th, 2024, because the channel has not secured the rights to broadcast the tournament.
"However, AFCON 2023 games will be available through our partner broadcast stations.
"MultiChoice remains committed to ensuring football fans continue to enjoy unrivalled access to entertainment and football games available on DStv and GOtv platforms."
This unexpected move has left many football fans scratching their heads and wondering why their favourite channel won't be bringing the 34th edition of AFCON action to their screens.
In this article, Pulse Sports reveals three key reasons behind this development.
3 Reasons why Supersport will not broadcast AFCON 2023 REVEALED
1. Broadcast Rights Tussle
At the heart of the matter is the ongoing battle for broadcast rights.
As seen in the press release, Multichoice confirmed they were unable to secure the broadcasting rights from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
Securing the rights to air major sporting events involves a hefty price tag, and sometimes negotiations between broadcasting companies and tournament organisers hit a snag.
In this case, SuperSport and CAF failed to reach a mutually beneficial agreement on the financial aspect of broadcasting the tournament.
The high stakes and competitive nature of the broadcasting industry mean that sometimes compromises are hard to come by.
'I can imagine the concerns from the viewers but it's just what it is, we won't be broadcasting the AFCON,' a spokesperson for SuperSport tells Pulse Sports exclusively.
This would not be the first time CAF and SuperSport have failed to reach an agreement on broadcasting rights as the South Africa-based pay TV service lost the rights in 2019 after CAF cancelled their arrangement with French agency Lagardere but they were able to renew in time for the 2021 edition in Cameroon.
2. CAF have already sold the broadcasting rights for Sub-Saharan Africa
Another reason why SuperSport will not be broadcasting Africa's biggest footballing showpiece is because they have possibly been outbid.
In November 2023, New World TV secured both free-to-air and pay-television rights to major Confederation of African Football (CAF) competitions across sub-Saharan Africa and in multiple languages in the Togo-based satellite broadcaster's biggest acquisition to date.
CAF agreed a two-year deal with the pan-African broadcaster for the free-to-air (FTA) and pay-TV English and local language media rights for Sub-Saharan Africa.
"The media rights agreement with New World TV is the biggest investment by a pan-African broadcaster in CAF's history," said CAF president Patrice Motsepe.
"We are very proud to partner with such a globally competitive and innovative broadcasting company which has adapted quickly to the changing demands and viewing patterns of the modern football audience. New World TV is also introducing new ways of consuming video content through its strong partnerships with various mobile operators and its television networks."
3. SuperSport's reportedly plans to change viewer habits
The way people consume content is evolving, and the rise of digital platforms is reshaping the broadcasting landscape.
With the increasing popularity of streaming services and online platforms, traditional broadcasters are facing the challenge of adapting to changing viewer habits. According to unconfirmed reports, Supersport may be exploring alternative ways to deliver sports content to its audience, considering the growing demand for online streaming options.
This could mean that AFCON 2023 will find its way to viewers through a different digital avenue rather than the traditional DSTV channel.
In conclusion, the decision by Supersport not to air AFCON 2023 on DSTV is a complex interplay of financial negotiations, strategic business priorities, and the evolving landscape of how viewers consume content.
While football fans may feel disappointed, it's essential to recognize the dynamic nature of the broadcasting industry and the constant quest for innovation and exclusivity.
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