MultiChoice’s new ownership under Canal+ has led to a significant shift in the management of broadcasting rights, as SuperSport has lost its power to make decisions on sports acquisitions. Now, such decisions are being made directly from Canal+’s headquarters in Paris, France.
Veteran broadcasting journalist Thinus Ferreira shared insights on 702, revealing that this change is part of Canal+’s strategy to slash costs. Unfortunately, the company cannot reduce its staff for three years, which is challenging its restructuring efforts.
According to Ferreira, Canal+ has removed SuperSport’s acquisition authority, indicating that decisions on purchasing sports content are now solely in the hands of executives in Paris. “Our European management is determining which sports will be available to us,” he noted.
DStv subscribers have already felt the impact of this shift, as notable events like the Winter Olympic Games have been dropped for the first time in decades. Ferreira pointed out that such decisions stem from Canal+’s strategy, which has also excluded coverage of other events, such as the World Darts Championships.
Looking ahead, Ferreira warned that the growing financial power of international streaming platforms such as Netflix poses a serious threat to SuperSport’s dominance in South African sports broadcasting. He highlighted that these platforms can afford to pay prices that exceed those offered by Canal+ and SuperSport, potentially leading to the loss of essential sports content.
Examples given included WWE, which has already transitioned to Netflix, and major sports leagues in other countries moving to platforms like Amazon Prime Video. Ferreira stated, “The landscape is changing, and DStv could eventually face unprecedented challenges, similar to how it once overshadowed the SABC.”
Moreover, Canal+ has been slow to approve production contracts for local content on DStv’s kykNET and Mzansi Magic channels. Reports suggest that there is a backlog of unsigned contracts for local series and soaps awaiting approval from Canal+.
