In it’s latest statement, SuperSport said it has reached a commercial agreement with the rights holders to broadcast the IPL.
All 74 matches of the 16th tournament will be broadcast live.
“We are very happy to have reached an agreement to continue our partnership with the IPL that extends back to the inaugural event in 2008, “said Marc Jury, chief executive of SuperSport.
The opening fixture, between the Gujurat Titans and Chennai Super Kings, will be broadcast live (DStv channel 212) at 4pm.
The lack of IPL broadcasting rights would have been a significant blow to SuperSport and DStv’s Premium subscribers.
The tournament attracts a viewership of more than 600 million globally and is regarded as a highly-lucrative opportunity to sell advertising space.
Regarding cricket specifically, SuperSport could also lose the rights to broadcast Protea matches.
In late 2022, Cricket South Africa announced a partnership with Viacom18 Sports, which gives the company exclusive digital and TV rights for all international cricket — from 2024 to 2031.
“Viacom18 will present all senior men’s international and senior women’s international competitions played in South Africa,” a statement on the partnership said.
If DStv cannot successfully negotiate to sublicence these broadcasting rights, SuperSport may no longer be able to broadcast Proteas cricket matches.
