Cricket News: South Africa fans face big World Cup broadcasting issue | SABC confirm they won’t broadcast the 2023 World Cup

In a big blow for Proteas fans, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has failed to reach an agreement with Multichoice to share the broadcasting rights for the 2023 ODI World Cup.

This means that fans without DStv, a leading streaming service in South Africa, will not be able to watch World Cup matches. SABC is the country’s national broadcaster which provides 19 radio stations and six television broadcasts to the public.

SABC, in a statement, said, “Following extensive negotiations with Multichoice for the sub-leasing of the Cricket World Cup 2023 free-to-air broadcasting rights, the SABC regrets to announce that the corporation was not successful in securing these rights for South African audiences.”

Earlier this week, Multichoice, the rights holder for cricket in Sub-Saharan Africa, shared their disappointment at negotiations with SABC. In a statement, the media corporation said, “after prolonged negotiations the SABC has rejected their latest proposal to possibly sub-license the broadcast rights of the World Cup on the basis of a proposed fee”.

A similar situation unfolded just before the Rugby World Cup. SABC and Multichoice struck an eleventh hour deal on that occasion.

However, that possibility looks to be gone as far as the cricket is concerned.

South Africa’s quest for their first World Cup title begins against Sri Lanka on October 7. Temba Bavuma’s team come into the tournament with confidence after coming from 2-0 down to beat Australia 3-2 in their recent ODI series.

The Proteas have a lot to prove, even to their own. Legend Lance Klusener believes the team will struggle to qualify for the semi-finals, owing to a lack of runs and all-rounder options.