SuperSport has introduced a new high-definition (HD) channel, signaling growth in the move to HD broadcasting locally.
Communications manager at SuperSport International Clinton van der Berg says the sports broadcaster had invested in HD equipment for the World Cup.
“SuperSport has a brand new HD studio, purpose-built for the World Cup - the biggest on the continent and state-of-the-art.”
He says the HD studio was cost-heavy, but it will have a life well beyond the World Cup. He also adds that with the new HD channel, it will allow SuperSport to broadcast more HD content across a range of sport, including cricket, rugby, golf, football and others.
Channelling HD
“The SSHD2 channel launches at 1pm on 13 August, on the eve of the start of the 2010/11 season, and will be broadcast across the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, excluding Nigeria,” says SuperSport.
Through this new HD channel, SuperSport will broadcast the English Premier League 24 hours a day, as part of a three-year contract.
“This is massive and SA will be one of the very first countries to receive the 24-hour channel,” said Imtiaz Patel, CEO of SuperSport. “High-definition is the way to go for sports viewing and we are delighted to be leading the way with our partners in England.”
The broadcaster adds that all 380 matches will be broadcast, with 180 of them being shown live. Apart from the eight live matches per week, there will be four weekly magazine shows, 400 classic matches, a review of the past decade and the best goals from the past 10 seasons.
Van der Berg says during the off-season the channel will show English Premier League-related programming like highlights, greatest goals and best games.
Future in HD
“Capacity issues preclude us from rolling out too many HD channels too soon. There are no immediate plans for another HD sports channel in the short-term. More like medium and long-term,” says Van der Berg.
There will be a gradual increase of local content being broadcast in HD, he adds.
“The move is important because it reflects SuperSport's embrace of technology. Moreover, the ultimate sports viewing experience on television is in HD.”
Top quality
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is also making moves to HD.
“The national public broadcaster has invested in world-class modern broadcasting technology, which includes four high-definition OB [outside broadcasting] vans. Three of these units were tested and successfully used during the broadcast of the 2009 Confederations Cup,” says the SABC.
It adds that the content is kept in HD to preserve the highest possible quality.
“So, for international partners who want to purchase the productions, it will be of an international standard,” says group CEO Solly Mokoetle.
Rupert Bush, international freelance producer heading up production for the SABC during the World Cup, says: “The HD trucks and facilities are first-class. Any reputable broadcaster would be delighted with the set-up.”
The broadcasting equipment put in place for the World Cup will remain an asset to the SABC after the event, says SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago.
The OB units have already been used for the Fifa draws, cricket and rugby matches. After the World Cup, it will still be used for big events like these, according to Kganyago.
World Wide Worx Strategy MD Steven Ambrose says despite confusion over digital broadcast standards for SA, the legacy of the infrastructure and broadcast equipment ramped up for the World Cup will ensure it does not lag behind the rest of the world. It will also mean that coverage of future events meets the highest international and technical standards.
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2010: For SA by SA
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