by Thinus Ferreira
MultiChoice on Thursday afternoon admitted that the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the next TV sport rights that SuperSport have lost with the 16th Indian Premier League which won't be shown on DStv - but adding that DStv subscribers "are in for a treat over the next three months with a feat of major sport from around the world".
DStv subscribers and SuperSport viewers are furious after the Randburg-based pay-TV operator told them for the first time on late Thursday afternoon that it is wickets on DStv for the 2023 Indian Premier League - the most popular cricket league in the world that MultiChoice has shown to DStv subscribers since its first edition in 2008.
MultiChoice is hiking DStv subscription fees from April, with DStv subscribers asking why they're forced to pay more but have content taken away - especially for a sport tournament SuperSport has been showing to DStv subscribers since it started.
The IPL sport rights are the next chunk of content that MultiChoice and SuperSport no longer has for DStv as the company cuts cost and face increasing competition from global video streaming companies that are bidding for the same content and also not making their own studios' content available through international distribution.
On Thursday SuperSport didn't bother to issue a press statement email to the media about losing the Sub-Saharan TV rights to the Indian Premier League to Viacom18. Around 15 South African cricket players are taking part in the tournament.
MultiChoice told DStv subscribers in a late Thursday email that "SuperSport previously held broadcast rights to the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Following unsuccessful commercial discussions with the rights holder, we will
therefore not broadcast the IPL as of this year's edition".
MultiChoice told DStv subscribers that "Sport lovers are in for a treat over the next three months with a feast of
major sport from around the world, despite the Indian Premier League not being
on the SuperSport schedule. Your world of Champions still has loads of exciting
live sports coming your way! Don’t miss out on any of the action!"
The first match of the 16th Indian Premier League and that DStv subscribers now won't see on DStv or anywhere on SuperSport, is on Friday between the Gujarat Titans and the Chennai Super Kings.
