JOHANNESBURG: Sub-Saharan Africa’s dominant spostcaster SuperSport “blinked in then end” after consumer pushback (or so we presume) over its initial decision to forego telecast of the 2023 edition of the TATA Indian Premier League.
Following updated conversations with the rights holder, SuperSport parent DStv confirmed on Friday, just four hours ahead of the 2023 season opener, that all matches of the world’s biggest annual cricket jamboree “will be broadcast on SuperSport”.
SuperSport reached a commercial agreement with rights holders Viacom18 to broadcast the IPL, the network announced just ahead of the opening fixture between title holders Gujarat Titans and four-time champions Chennai Super Kings.
All 74 matches of the 16th edition of the IPL will be broadcast live, DStv stated.
“We are very happy to have reached an agreement to continue our partnership with the IPL that extends back to the inaugural event in 2008,” said Marc Jury, chief executive of SuperSport.
It bears noting that fans and subscribers wondering how to watch the IPL in South Africa this year had publicly questioned SuperSport’s inability to acquire the broadcast rights.
The sportscaster had earlier stated: “SuperSport previously held broadcast rights to the Indian Premier League (IPL). Following unsuccessful commercial discussions with the rights holder, we will therefore not broadcast the IPL as of this year’s edition.”
