by Thinus Ferreira
In a new deal between MultiChoice and South Africa's public broadcaster, curated content from SuperSport's SuperSport Schools will be funnelled to SABC+ as a SuperSport Schools streaming channel from 8 February.
Neither MultiChoice or SuperSport, nor the SABC is willing to say how much the public broadcaster is paying for carriage of the SuperSport Schools streaming channel.
The new SuperSport Schools streaming contract between SuperSport and the SABC is part of a concerted broader effort by specifically MultiChoice to improve and strengthen a commercial relationship with the public broadcaster, and through it to solidify the SABC's stance as an ally against eMedia's e.tv and its Openview satellite platform.
In future negotiations over - as well as deals for - the sublicensing of big-ticket sports content from SuperSport, it is important for MultiChoice and SuperSport that the SABC takes their side - or at the very least remain silent and neutral - if any three-way sublicensing carriage conflicts break out between MultiChoice, eMedia and the SABC like it did in 2024.
The SuperSport Schools streaming channel on SABC+ will carry a selection of content from SuperSport Schools that filmed over 60 000 school matches in 2024 across a variety of sports disciplines.
The channel will showcase a diverse range of schools and youth sport, including football, netball, rugby, athletics, hockey and basketball.
SuperSport Schools has more than a million registered users with some of the content that has been available on it now getting a second window on SABC+.
Rendani Ramovha, SuperSport CEO, says "We want to encourage participation in sports at a grassroots level and reignite interest in sports across all schools in the country. Both SuperSport and the SABC share a common vision of providing young athletes with a platform to shine and inspiring future generations of sportsmen and women".
Nomsa Chabeli, SABC CEO, in a prepared quote, states "We are proud to be part of this life-changing partnership that extends beyond the fulfilment of the SABC’s mandate, by offering South Africans from all walks of life, a platform that nurtures young talent and provides unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional development".
"This partnership allows the SuperSport Schools channel to be accessible on the SABC+ streaming platform, enabling rising stars to gain recognition in the early stages of their lives, which will lead to more opportunities in the future.”
Thandolwethu Bakumeni, head of SuperSport Schools, says "We are thrilled that the SABC is joining us in the promotion of schools' sport".
"This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission to nurture young talent and make schools and youth sports a key part of South Africa’s cultural fabric. After all, World Cups are won 10 years before they are played.”
Keletso Totlhanyo, head of SABC Sport, says "SABC Sport is dedicated to providing our viewers with the best local sports content, and this new venture with SuperSport Schools will allow us to bring even more exciting and inspirational content to South African homes".
Keletso Totlhanyo, head of SABC Sport, says "SABC Sport is dedicated to providing our viewers with the best local sports content, and this new venture with SuperSport Schools will allow us to bring even more exciting and inspirational content to South African homes".
The curated content on the SABC Schools streaming channel on SABC+ will focus on some of the popular and significant sports in South Africa, including football, netball, rugby, athletics, hockey, and basketball.
