(Archive photo: Prangkul Ruangsri/iStock)
SA Rugby and the Canal+ group, the holding company of MultiChoice, have completed the renewal of another three-year broadcasting agreement.
The renewal means SuperSport remains the only official broadcaster of all Saru’s local competitions, matches of the Springbok women and juniors in Africa south of the Sahara.
The agreement is the first of its kind with a local sports federation since Canal+ joined forces with the MultiChoice group in September last year. This is seen as a confirmation of Canal+’s long-term commitment to local sport.
SuperSport, for its part, has been Saru’s official broadcasting partner for more than 30 years.
Mark Alexander, the president of Saru, says Canal+ has a shared understanding of the importance of rugby for the South African public. “We trust this is the first of several such agreements.”
David Mignot, the CEO of Canal+ Africa, says that as promised, the company invests in local content – including sports – that matter most to people. “In the South African market, rugby has become part of the national soul – as seen in the great excitement that prevails every time the Springboks have won a World Cup.”
Broadcasting rights are fundamental to the well-being and sustainability of sport in South Africa and rugby is no exception, said Rian Oberholzer, the CEO of SA Rugby. “SuperSport is a reliable partner of South African rugby and we are delighted to continue the partnership.
“The world of rugby and broadcasting has changed significantly since we entered into the first agreement in the 1990s, but this is a testament to the common interests that keep the partnership going.”