The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has secured the broadcasting rights for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023) and other Confederation of African Football (CAF) events for the 2024 season. This means that South African football fans can enjoy exclusive coverage of AFCON 2023, which is scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, 2024.
All 52 matches of the tournament will be available live on SABC’s free-to-air channels across all broadcasting platforms, as well as the SABC Sport and SABC+ streaming services. In addition to live matches, the SABC has planned an extensive content schedule for AFCON 2023, including studio build-ups, expert analysis, and daily preview and review shows.
Viewers can access AFCON 2023 through various channels, radio stations, and streaming services provided by the SABC. The broadcaster’s social media pages on Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) will also offer live commentary on every match.
The acquisition of the broadcasting rights by the SABC is seen as a significant win for the organization and a testament to the positive changes brought about by South African billionaire Dr. Patrice Motsepe’s tenure as CAF President. The AFCON has become one of the most sought-after properties globally, attracting a wide audience.
The announcement of the SABC securing the rights came after a leaked internal memo from MultiChoice, which stated that SuperSport would not broadcast AFCON 2023. This caused outrage among African football fans on social media as many subscribed to DStv primarily for football content. However, DStv subscribers will still be able to watch AFCON 2023 on the SABC’s free-to-air channels and radio stations available on DStv.
Furthermore, the SABC has obtained the rights to broadcast live matches of other CAF events happening in 2023. This includes qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, among others.
Ian Plaatjes, the Chief Operations Officer of the SABC, expressed his gratitude to the rights holders and stakeholders involved in securing the broadcasting rights. He emphasized the commitment of the SABC in making high-quality sports content accessible to all South Africans without any platform blockages, hinting at previous disagreements between the SABC and MultiChoice.
The SABC’s provision of exclusive coverage for AFCON 2023 and other CAF events demonstrates their dedication to bringing the excitement of African football to the South African public. With Bafana Bafana, South Africa’s national football team, participating in AFCON 2023, fans can look forward to an unforgettable tournament and unparalleled coverage by the SABC.
