South African broadcasting company Digital Service Television (DStv) has received backlash from a section of fans online over its failure to air the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 tournament.
Through a statement released by parent company MultiChoice on January 3, the company announced that SuperSport failed to secure AFCON’s broadcasting rights.
“SuperSport Channel will not broadcast AFCON 2023 scheduled for January 13th to February 11th, 2024.
The channel has not secured the rights to broadcast the tournament,” read part of the statement.
African fans online have since come out to question how the giant media company failed to acquire rights to broadcast a prestigious African tournament.
Fans react to DSTV news
“This shows the negligence we Africans give ourselves. You struggle to win the rights to show leagues from other continents but not the biggest sport event in Africa?” Posed Wonne Prince, a user on X.
Additionally, another user commented following the announcement saying that it was disappointing for many African nations.
Sibuza Mapate said, “DStv’s biggest clients are in South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia and other African countries which were expecting them to deliver and showcase our biggest Sporting even on the continent. This is disappointing.”
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Another user named Radical Youth Man noted that consumers deserved accountability, adding that many subscribers pay for diverse content.
“Subscribers pay for diverse content, including live sports, and the absence of AFCON on DStv is beyond appalling.
As consumers, we deserve accountability and better services,” he said.
On the other hand, another South African fan questioned the details given by Multi Choice about Free to Air (FTA) channels.
Part of the statement read, “However, AFCON 2023 games will be available through our partner broadcast stations on FTA channels.”
Nala Thokozane commented noting that MultiChoice’s dominance of TV needs to be looked at.
“The games will be shown on FTA SABC, their partner network. Multichoice does not, however, allow the games to be shown to their partner SABC when they have the right to air,” she said.
Also, other users questioned how Multi choice prioritized acquiring rights to broadcast European competitions.
Levy T noted, “Africa’s biggest sports broadcaster isn’t broadcasting Africa’s biggest competition but broadcasts Malta vs North Macedonia for Africa to see.”
MultiChoice
Multichoice is a South African company that operates Digital Satellite Television (DStv), a major satellite television service in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Additionally, it also owns GOTV, a minor service operating in over nine Sub-Saharan countries and the Showmax streaming service.
DStv provides audio, radio and television channels and services to subscribers across 50 countries, mostly in South Africa, Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
Through its DStv and GOtv platforms, Multichoice has over the years cemented its position as the broadcaster of football games and other sporting events.
These include the Premier League, La Liga, UEFA Champions League, Zambian Super League among other prestigious football competitions.
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According to Daily Investor, MultiChoice’s market value decreased by $1.7 billion in six months from March to September 2023.
The research further added that the record all-time low market value was due to a decline in DSTV premium subscribers.
AFCON 2023
The sporting extravaganza commences with the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, launching on January 13 in Ivory Coast.
Note that the West African nation will be hosting the tournament for the second time and the first since 1984.
AFCON is the biennial African association football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Furthermore, the tournament will see a total number of 24 countries, placed in 6 groups battle for the coveted African title.
