The struggling South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) announced it will now broadcast live English Premier League matches, starting with this weekend’s London derby between Arsenal and West Ham United.
The public broadcaster said it was increasing its soccer offering on Saturday afternoons with SABC1, showing live matches from the local Premier Soccer League and radio stations providing commentary in all South African official languages.
SABC3 will be offering live English Premier League (EPL) matches.
The SABC said the rights have been sub-licensed from the main rights holder, Kwese Sport, for a duration of one season.
David Makubyane, general manager for SABC TV Channels, says: “ SABC3 is going to provide South Africans who love sports and in particular, soccer, the opportunity to access some of the greatest teams in the world in one of the biggest leagues globally for free.
“ The Premier League has a strong brand equity that we believe will contribute towards the building of the SABC3 brand.”
The SABC board revealed in Parliament on Tuesday the broadcaster was in a bad financial state, with only R26 million remaining in its bank account while owing R694 million to creditors.