The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) is currently working on a number of new regulations which will significantly alter how sport is broadcast in the country.<\/p>\n
According to MyBroadband<\/a><\/strong>, to combat SuperSport\u2019s dominance over sports broadcasting in South Africa, Icasa has proposed<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0that all sports matches of national importance be available on free-to-air channels.<\/p>\n This means that the DStv would effectively have to share the following sports rights with the SABC:<\/p>\n DStv will also have to give up broadcasting rights to a number of smaller sports codes and events which will made available to all broadcasters.<\/p>\n Funding<\/strong><\/p>\n While the regulations will bring South African sports to millions more people – it could also risk crippling sports in the country.<\/p>\n According to the Rapport<\/a><\/strong>, a number of South African bodies have united in a bid to oppose new broadcasting regulations, as they stand to lose significant funding due to the new model.<\/p>\n DStv is the largest funder of a number of sporting codes in the country, with many South African sporting groups reliant on the broadcaster for their day to day operations.<\/p>\n A source told the paper that some of these sporting unions could stand to lose as much as 80% of their funding by moving away from the current model – with drastic measures, such as the immediate cancellation of the Currie Cup or PSL – a possibility should the regulations be pushed through.<\/p>\n According to South African Rugby Union CEO Jurie Roux, 55% of their revenue comes from broadcasting rights \u2013 with the lion\u2019s share of this being contributed by SuperSport.<\/p>\n This has been echoed by other sporting codes, with PSL chairman Irvin Khoza stating that the PSL would shut down<\/strong><\/a> if Icasa goes through with the proposed amendment.<\/p>\n\n
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