The Indian cricket team is scheduled to go on a multi-format tour against the South African team starting December 10. However, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) will not broadcast the series, leaving millions of cricket fans disappointed.
Millions of cricket fans in South Africa will miss out on watching matches on SABC as Cricket South Africa and the SABC once again failed to reach an agreement on broadcast rights. Notably, the matches will be broadcast on Star Sports Network in India.
Previously, the national broadcaster announced that it had not acquired the rights to broadcast the rugby and cricket World Cups. Following the intervention of the South African government, the SABC finally secured the rights to broadcast the two tournaments.
Here is the full statement from Cricket South Africa:
Cricket South Africa (CSA) regretted that negotiations with the SABC collapsed, leading to the inability to broadcast the 2023/24 Tour of India on free-to-air television. CSA expressed its willingness to finalize a deal if the SABC secures sponsorship for the India tour.
“Cricket South Africa regrets to announce that it is unable to reach an agreement with the SABC to broadcast India’s 2023/24 tour to South Africa on free-to-air television.
Over the past few months, CSA and SABC have been involved in protracted negotiations over the free-to-air rights to the tour of India, which are owned exclusively by CSA in order to ensure that cricket is accessible to the general South African population. . .
On November 29, CSA finally received an offer from the SABC for the broadcast rights at a huge discount.
In view of the significant audience that the SABC enjoys, which fulfills CSA’s objective of growing cricket in all sectors of South African society, CSA was keen to ensure that the tour of India was available on television open.
CSA responded to the SABC six business days later, on December 7, accepting its offer in full.
Unfortunately, hours after CSA fully accepted their offer, the SABC informed CSA that they cannot broadcast the tour in India due to the withdrawal of potential sponsors.
Free-to-air rights remain available and should the SABC be able to attract sponsorship, CSA is willing to conclude a deal that will ensure millions of South Africans enjoy the tour of India.”
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