By Andrew Warshaw
June 12 – The French sports marketing rights company Sportfive has signed a 28 million rand (£2.1 million/$3.3 million/€2.7 million) three-deal deal with South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to screen South Africa’s competitive away qualifiers until 2015.
The six-match deal, which covers World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations matches, could not have come at a better time for SABC which made a 200 million rand (£15.3 million/$23.7 million/€18.9 million) operating loss in the past financial year.
The two parties have had a fraught relationship, with SABC last year blaming Sportfive – which holds broadcasting rights for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) – for its failure to broadcast live an African Nations Cup qualifying game against Niger.
“The SABC has constantly strived to ensure that its loyal, sport-loving fans always get the opportunity to see their national teams in action,” said Lulama Mokhobo, SABC’s group chief executive.
Asked if the broadcaster could afford the deal and whether it expected a return on its investment, Mokhobo said that, at worst, it would “break even”.
“We are a national broadcaster and we are mandated to screen certain events,” she said.
“When it comes to the national sports, and especially Bafana, where the majority of South Africans are interested, then the decision is not only based on profits.”
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