South Africa's exclusive sports rights challenge

Hanno Labuschagne

Hanno Labuschagne

Journalist
Staff member
Joined
Sep 2, 2019
Messages
5,685
Reaction score
3,977
South Africa's exclusive sports rights challenge

South Africa's sports broadcasting industry has experienced several developments this year, steering the market toward one that is more accessible to a greater number of South Africans.

The market has long been dominated by MultiChoice, the pay-TV operator that owns Showmax, DStv, and SuperSport.
 
Mckenzie stated at the time that the government must step up and help foot the bill for the SABC’s sub-licensing rights, as MultiChoice cannot be expected to take a loss every time South Africa’s national teams play.
Click to expand...
How did Multichoice take a loss? Their existing viewers were never going to watch it on SABC and SABC viewers were never going to watch it on Supersport unless they went to an existing viewers place. Sounds like they make extra bank by sub-licensing it to SABC?
 
bwana said:
How did Multichoice take a loss? Their existing viewers were never going to watch it on SABC and SABC viewers were never going to watch it on Supersport unless they went to an existing viewers place. Sounds like they make extra bank by sub-licensing it to SABC?
Click to expand...

Probably referring to how many extra top subscribers they may have gained; those without DStv Premium who want the events badly enough.
 
bwana said:
How did Multichoice take a loss? Their existing viewers were never going to watch it on SABC and SABC viewers were never going to watch it on Supersport unless they went to an existing viewers place. Sounds like they make extra bank by sub-licensing it to SABC?
Click to expand...
MultiChoice had made several attempts at making sports affordable for SABC which meant reducing the number of platforms that can view the games and another as seen last year was offering even less matches for what SABC can fork out.
 
bwana said:
How did Multichoice take a loss? Their existing viewers were never going to watch it on SABC and SABC viewers were never going to watch it on Supersport unless they went to an existing viewers place. Sounds like they make extra bank by sub-licensing it to SABC?
Click to expand...
Same reason that they won’t have a sports only subscription. Some of their subscribers are only subscribed because they want the sports. If the sports become available for free on SABC then there’s no incentive for DSTV subscribers to keep on subscribing. In the long run Multichoice would make a loss.
 
Unreal said:
Same reason that they won’t have a sports only subscription. Some of their subscribers are only subscribed because they want the sports. If the sports become available for free on SABC then there’s no incentive for DSTV subscribers to keep on subscribing. In the long run Multichoice would make a loss.
Click to expand...
DSTV received R57 million for the SA WC matches alone so we're talking about a limited number of [national team] sporting events. In the long run the addicts are still going to pay for their all access passes.
 
bwana said:
DSTV received R57 million for the SA WC matches alone so we're talking about a limited number of [national team] sporting events. In the long run the addicts are still going to pay for their all access passes.
Click to expand...

It's perhaps more about potential addicts. How many will go to the sports tavern if it's on SABC, and then that tavern starts to think they can bypass the DStv business subscription.

Would all work for a while anyway, but in the end could make sport end up more expensive to get.
 
FiestaST said:
Does not exist in modern times (I think).
Click to expand...
So the tweet/X is completely irrelevant to this discussion. Yes, F1 have increased social media access and content, but you still have to pay to watch the actual sport.
 
FiestaST said:
Come now, don’t be selective & dismissive. There are other valid points bud.
Click to expand...
He's drawing a parallel saying rugby can't remain on pay TV only by using F1 which is pay TV only as an example? What am I missing?
 
Brian_G said:
There's a balance involved. Can't just make sports free, not even local matches regularly, and can't stop greed 'cos it is part of business freedom.

Mostly I think we need proper anti-monopoly laws, but... ANC.
Click to expand...
Weird. Sport like cricket is available for free on YouTube, both English and local cricket. Locally it's done by CSA it self, especially for the long format of the game, and in the UK, the county itself shows all their unbroadcasted games on their YouTube channels. A lot of Racing is the same. All make monies without asking for broadcasting rights.
 
World Rugby should take a page out of F1’s book and bypass DSTV by launching its own streaming platform. F1 TV has been a game-changer, letting fans access races directly without relying on exclusive broadcasters. World Rugby could do the same, giving fans around the world affordable, unrestricted access to matches.

A dedicated streaming service would make the game more accessible and engaging, with extras like replays, player stats, and behind-the-scenes content. Plus, it’s a win-win for fans and the sport, lower costs for viewers and more revenue for rugby. It’s time to break free from DSTV’s grip and bring the game to everyone!
 
BBSA said:
World Rugby should take a page out of F1’s book and bypass DSTV by launching its own streaming platform. F1 TV has been a game-changer, letting fans access races directly without relying on exclusive broadcasters. World Rugby could do the same, giving fans around the world affordable, unrestricted access to matches.

A dedicated streaming service would make the game more accessible and engaging, with extras like replays, player stats, and behind-the-scenes content. Plus, it’s a win-win for fans and the sport, lower costs for viewers and more revenue for rugby. It’s time to break free from DSTV’s grip and bring the game to everyone!
Click to expand...
www.rugbypass.com

I think that's where they're headed with this, but many of the games are already tied up in longer term contracts which have to lapse first.
 
ectoplasm said:
Weird. Sport like cricket is available for free on YouTube, both English and local cricket. Locally it's done by CSA it self, especially for the long format of the game, and in the UK, the county itself shows all their unbroadcasted games on their YouTube channels. A lot of Racing is the same. All make monies without asking for broadcasting rights.
Click to expand...

How much of the local stuff is live on YT?
 
BBSA said:
World Rugby should take a page out of F1’s book and bypass DSTV by launching its own streaming platform. F1 TV has been a game-changer, letting fans access races directly without relying on exclusive broadcasters. World Rugby could do the same, giving fans around the world affordable, unrestricted access to matches.

A dedicated streaming service would make the game more accessible and engaging, with extras like replays, player stats, and behind-the-scenes content. Plus, it’s a win-win for fans and the sport, lower costs for viewers and more revenue for rugby. It’s time to break free from DSTV’s grip and bring the game to everyone!
Click to expand...
The other big difference is that F1 owns all of the races. World Rugby doesn't own very much of their own content - basically just the world cup. The rest is owned by individual unions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter