Sub-Saharan Africa
SABC criticises rising sports rights costs
South African public-service broadcaster SABC has hit out at the growing cost of sports rights after failing to agree a deal for the national cricket team’s tour of New Zealand.
IMG and Pitch struggle to sell with broadcasters looking bigger
The stream of top-tier properties to be sold in sub-Saharan Africa later this year is making life difficult for the IMG and Pitch International agencies, each of which has English cup competitions for sale.
Canal Plus wins World Cup pay-TV rights in Francophone Africa
Canal Plus Afrique has agreed a direct deal for rights to the 2018 Fifa World Cup, staving off the challenge of rival StarTimes.
Arewa24 unveils sports division
Nigerian broadcaster Arewa24 has launched a new sports division.
StarTimes picks up rights to Pakistan Super League
Pan-African pay-television operator StarTimes has agreed a two-season deal for rights to Twenty20 cricket competition the Pakistan Super League.
Econet’s Hundah: Kwesé pay-TV operation needs rapid returns
Econet Media chief executive Joseph Hundah has told TV Sports Markets its Kwesé TV pay-television operation must make money quickly on the back of launches in Ghana, Rwanda and Zambia, after 18 months of acquiring sports rights at a considerable cost.
EFC opts for exposure instead of revenue in South African market
South African mixed martial arts promotion the Extreme Fighting Championship will have its events shown live on public-service broadcaster the SABC for the next two years, increasing its exposure in its home market.
Joseph Hundah, chief executive, Econet Media
Interview with Joseph Hundah, chief executive, Econet Media, on the launch of Kwesé TV, Kwesé Free Sports and the challenges that lie ahead.
Econet launches Kwesé TV in three African markets
Telecommunications firm Econet Media has extended its Kwesé TV brand through launching a new direct-to-home platform in three African markets.
SuperSport serves up renewal of French Open rights
SuperSport, the pay-television broadcaster that operates in sub-Saharan Africa, has agreed a four-year extension to its rights deal for tennis grand slam the French Open.
EFC secures rights deal with South Africa’s SABC
South African public-service broadcaster SABC has agreed a multi-year rights deal with the Extreme Fighting Championship mixed martial arts series.
Kwesé and SuperSport share the spoils as Fifa makes hay in Africa
Kwesé Sports and SuperSport will share pay-television rights to the 2018 Fifa World Cup in sub-Saharan Africa after both broadcasters agreed to acquire the rights non-exclusively outside South Africa, TV Sports Markets understands.
Oerlemans confirmed as Kwesé Sports chief executive
Telecommunications company Econet has confirmed the appointment of Jeroen Oerlemans as the new chief executive of the Kwesé Sports division of African pay-television broadcaster Kwesé TV.
Kwesé Free Sports launches in Nigeria, Uganda
Telco Econet Media has launched its Kwesé Free Sports free-to-air channel in Nigeria and Uganda.
Media365 strikes production deal for Africa Cup of Nations
Media365 has been appointed by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to produce coverage of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations national team football tournament.
Ghana set for free-to-air sport after Econet-MTG deal
Ghana is set for its first free-to-air sports broadcasting platform after telecommunications firm Econet Media acquired the free-television broadcasting and production businesses of multi-territory commercial and pay-television broadcaster Modern Times Group in the country and its fellow African nation Nigeria.
Fox follows African trend but brings unique terms to Wafu deal
Fox Sports Africa is the latest of the region’s pay-television broadcasters to invest in African football, but the structure of its joint venture with the West African Football Union differs greatly from recent deals struck by its competitors.
Uefa and Fifa set for vast fee increases in sub-Saharan Africa
Fifa and Uefa are set for huge increases in the value of their media rights in sub-Saharan Africa. TV Sports Markets understands bidding in both governing bodies’ tender processes has progressed beyond a first round.