New pay-television service Siyaya TV aims to be a major player in SA's digital terrestrial television space and has inked a R1 billion deal to broadcast the national football team's matches from next year, City Press reports.
Siyaya landed the deal with the South African Football Association (Safa) and will go live in June. The paper says the new player's submission to the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) noted that viewers would be charged a monthly subscription of R70.
Safa, meanwhile, sent a letter of support to ICASA on 12 July, and the deal was approved by 95% of it national executive committee, based on a recommendation by its auditors at Ernst & Young.
The City Press quotes Safa CEO Dennis Mumble, who said "Yes, we have signed a new major broadcast deal and have informed the SABC. Unfortunately, that's all I can say, as we will be making an official announcement soon."
The deal gives Siyaya TV the rights to broadcast the national men's and women's football matches as well as the junior teams, ABC Motsepe League (first division) and Sasol Women's League.
According to the City Press, Siyaya is a 100% black-owned consortium in which North West community Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela owns a 40% stake. Other shareholders are Transnet Freight CEO Siyabonga Gama, Siyaya board member Aubrey Tau and TV personality Dali Tambo.
The SABC's agreement with Safa will lapse at the end of April next year and the public broadcaster would have to buy the rights from Siyaya if it wants to broadcast national team matches.
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