By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Pay channel MultiChoice and the SABC failed to reach a sub-licensing agreement, the could deny the majority of South Africans an opportunity to watch the Cricket World Cup.
In a statement, MultiChoice claims the public broadcaster had, on Monday night, rejected its proposal for the sub-license on the basis of the proposed fee.
“This is notwithstanding MultiChoice offering the rights to the SABC on significantly reduced commercial terms, given its current circumstances. MultiChoice is disappointed at the rejection of its various proposals,” said MultiChoice’s Litlhare Moteetee.
In its own announcement of the failed talks, the SABC said it had once again been disadvantaged “due to unaffordable licensing fees”.
“This development is regrettable, and the corporation would like to apologise to all Cricket fans and all South Africans,” said the broadcaster’s Mmoni Seapolelo.
Seapolelo said the outcome was regrettable, and while the SABC remained committed to broadcasting sports of national interest, it would not do so in a manner that was detrimental to the organisation.
This comes less than a month after the two entities wrestled over the R38 million price tag that MultiChoice put on the broadcast right for the Rugby World Cup.
On Friday, the SABC told parliament that it had reported a net loss of R1.1-billion for the year ended 31 March 2023.
South Africa start their against Sri Lanka on the October 7, as Temba Bavuma and his team go in search for that elusive Cricket World Cup title.