SABC Premier League
SABC acquires the rights to air the English Premier League. Images via SABC/Premier League

Home » SABC to air Premier League – but with a catch!

SABC to air Premier League – but with a catch!

South African soccer fans are over the moon following news that SABC has officially acquired the rights to air the English Premier League, previously exclusive to DStv. The announcement was made on Wednesday, 20 July. BUT, there is a catch… ALSO READ: Multichoice loses billions: Why SA viewers are dumping DSTV TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE? […]

SABC Premier League
SABC acquires the rights to air the English Premier League. Images via SABC/Premier League

South African soccer fans are over the moon following news that SABC has officially acquired the rights to air the English Premier League, previously exclusive to DStv.

The announcement was made on Wednesday, 20 July.

BUT, there is a catch…

ALSO READ: Multichoice loses billions: Why SA viewers are dumping DSTV

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE? SABC PICKS UP ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

In a statement, the SABC revealed that the English Premier League will begin airing as soon as next month.

It read: “The public broadcaster says the acquisition is a testament to the SABC’s commitment to continuously fulfil its public service mandate by providing access to sports of national interest to South African citizens.

“The English Premier League season will kick-off on the 12th of August and will be broadcast to South Africa across the SABC Sport linear TV and digital platforms.

“SABC Sport will be the primary broadcast platform with SABC 3, the SABC Sport website, and SABC Plus also carrying the matches live simultaneously”.

According to SABC, it would also air “a live studio build-up with match previews and latest team and player news”. This would be presented by the SABC Sports anchors and top analysts, both on TV and Digital platforms.”

Man City's Premier League defense starts at Kompany's Burnley
Manchester City on the EPL winner podium. Image: The Conversation.

But there is a catch…

Before you cancel your DSTV description, iDiski Times revealed that SABC would ONLY air “one Premier League game per weekend for 34 weeks at 3pm on SABC3 every Saturday”.

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SOCCER FANS NOT IMPRESSED

On social media, soccer fans were not impressed by SABC’s English Premier League news.

@Am_Blujay: “What a waste of excitement… Back to DStv”

@jobsmokoena: “They are just blowing this trumpet, knowing well they are no match to DStv. SABC just does not have what it takes.”

@FsTebza: “They can’t even afford PSL midweek games.”

@MokoneNgwato: “No midweek games, one game per weekend in a league with 20 teams is a joke. If we have to be honest, we can’t expect SABC to get full EPL games when they can’t get the same for PSL or even Mvela League. We need to manage our expectations as football lovers.” – Twitter