The SABC has again secured the rights to broadcast and stream a handful of matches from the upcoming English Premier League football season.
The public broadcaster explained the deal was made possible via a partnership with Gemini Sports Media through the rights-holders Infront Sports France.
“The acquisition of the English Premier League is a testament to the SABC’s commitment to continuously fulfil its public service mandate by providing access of sports of national interest to South African citizens,” the SABC said. “This is in line with SABC Sport’s strategic objective of making the world’s greatest football league available to all audiences.”
The broadcaster told MyBroadband it would show 33 EPL matches live on linear TV channel SABC 3 and its digital platforms, including the SABC Sport website and the SABC+ streaming service.
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The match presentations will feature live studio build-up with match previews and the latest team and player news, presented by the SABC Sport anchors and analysts.
“As part of the ‘always-on’ digital strategy, all the latest news, score updates, log table, streaming services and live match commentary will be available on the SABC Sport digital platforms,” the SABC said.
The EPL features 380 matches every season, 38 per team.
That means the SABC will be showing less than 10% of the total matches and less than one game per week.
The SABC secured a similar deal last year, but could broadcast a live game every Saturday at 15h00 and four delayed games every week.
The specific slate of matches available on the SABC’s platforms is yet to be announced.
The EPL will kick off at 21h00 on 11 August, with Burnley hosting champions Manchester City in the first match of the season.
