On Thursday I told how the SABC was preparing viewers - and starting a public pressure battle - that it won't be showing the Bafana Bafana vs Niger African Cup of Nationa qualifying soccer match on Sunday because rights holder Sports Five in France wanted R5 million.
On Sunday afternoon the SABC, deadlocked with Sports Five, didn't tell the media, but used SABC1 to tell livid viewers who are fuming today, that the SABC won't show the broadcast.
Later Sunday afternoon Sports Five contacted the SABC and dropped the price to under R2,5 million. The SABC agreed, but then the feed didn't come through from France.
When the footage of the match was eventually beamed to the SABC it was too late, so the SABC then decided to not broadcast it since the SABC agreed on the new lowered price as a live transmission - which by then, late on Sunday, the broadcast no longer was.
The SABC still wanted to broadcast the soccer game, but demanded a reduced fee because it was no longer a live broadcast. Sports Five didn't agree and again the SABC and Sports Five deadlocked.
The SABC's logistical, organisational and relational approach to this growing problematic issue needs serious attention, as well as the complex contractual mess that cause Sports Five to be able to dictate soccer broadcast terms so ferociously with the South African public broadcaster where a national sports team and a sport of big national interest is concerned.
