Confusion surrounds Top 8 final broadcast

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Thursday May 16, 2013 00:00

 

Botswana Television (Btv) and Supersport are headed for a collision course after the South African broadcaster offered free Mascom Top 8 final feed to the local channel, which however, contends it holds the broadcasting rights.Supersport, which signed a two-year deal with the Botswana Football Association (BFA) a fortnight ago, has offered free feed to Btv for Saturday's final featuring Gaborone United and BDF XI. But Btv says there is no such need (to offer free feed) as the state broadcaster holds the Top 8 broadcasting rights.

In actual fact, Btv says it has not received any offer from Supersport regarding the feed. Btv head of sports, Edson Malebane said they are the Top 8 rights holders and are preparing to air the final on their own.He said: 'That's news to me (that Btv has been offered free feed). We are actually preparing to air the game as we have rights up to the final.'In a move seen as softening the public broadcaster authorities' stance, Supersport extended an olive branch to Btv through a free feed for Saturday's final, which might however, be spurned. 'I am actually surprised to hear this (about Supersport),' Malebane told Mmegi Sport.

Contrary to reports that Supersport and Btv were in negotiations over a long-term deal, Malebane said they have never received any offer, throwing new spanners in the works. Btv has reportedly dragged its feet entering into an agreement with Supersport where the South African channel is seeking P4.2million, as a way of recovering production costs. Yesterday, Botswana Football Association (BFA) president, Tebego Sebego said Btv has been offered free feed and they await the broadcaster's response.'This is in the spirit of continuity as you know that Btv has been broadcasting the competition,' Sebego told Mmegi Sport yesterday.

However, Sebego is confident Btv will play ball and ensure the deal bears fruit.'We have been kept abreast of developments (between Supersport and Btv). Only if there is a stalemate will we get actively involved. But I don't see any reason why Btv will not sign,' Sebego said.Supersport estimates that it will use P10 million over 20 weeks of broadcasting the local league. BFA says with a new deal in place, Supersport are the exclusive rights holders.Asked about the course of action over Top 8 rights Malebane said: 'We will cross the bridge when we get there.'But, BFA is reported to have withdrawn Btv's Top 8 rights through a letter sent to the channel on Tuesday.This after Supersport indicated they will start broadcast this weekend.Btv has been reluctant to commit to a long term deal with Supersport apparently arguing there are minimal benefits for Botswana.'They argue that Supersport will bring labour from South Africa and that the deal has no direct benefits for Batswana,' said a source.

However, it is reported that Supersport is ready to employ locals once the deal is up and running, help Btv in areas of production and create synergies with leading broadcasters in the world. There will be skills transfer as is the case in territories where Supersport operates. In other countries where Supersport has broadcast rights, locals have taken over production.It is said Supersport, in entering into discussions with Btv, was cognisant of the fact that locals should not be deprived of their product. Supersport is a pay-per-view channel while Btv is free-to-air.