After the SABC and satellite channel MultiChoice failed to reach a sub-licensing agreement on the issue of televising the Cricket World Cup, fans of the game may not have the privilege of watching it.
“The SABC last night rejected MultiChoice’s latest proposal for a possible sub-license of broadcast rights to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on the basis of the proposed license fee,” MultiChoice said in a statement Tuesday morning.
This is despite MultiChoice offering the SABC the rights on drastically reduced commercial terms, considering the SABC’s current financial situation. MultiChoice is upset that its different ideas were rejected.
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The competition is set to begin on Thursday, with the Proteas facing Sri Lanka in their first match on Saturday.
The SABC and MultiChoice were likewise locked in protracted talks for the Rugby World Cup until a late intervention from the Department of sport and the acquisition of three sponsors who paid more than R50 million allowed the public broadcaster to carry a small section of the event.
However, it is still possible that the two broadcasters will work out something at the eleventh hour but, that is left to be seen and it is important to note that time is fast running out.
