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SuperSport, KBC seal league broadcast deal


SuperSport and state broadcaster KBC on Thursday entered into a partnership that will see the latter air some Kenyan Premier League matches next season.

The move, according to the two parties, is aimed at taking football to the masses. Under the arrangement, SuperSport will cater for production with KBC airing selected matches every weekend.

At the same time, the giant South African pay television channel will continue airing the bulk of the league matches.

Speaking during the unveiling of the partnership at a city hotel, SuperSport’s head of Africa Andre Venter said: “This is a short but sweet announcement. We want to ensure that the top flight football is seen by the masses. We have a broadcast contract with KPL and we are determined to make it better.

“We are also very proud of the KPL product. We have seen it grow from strength to strength since 2007 and it can only get better with our support.”

Regarding the standoff between Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and KPL over control of the league Venter said that he hoped for “an amicable settlement”.

“The difference between KPL and FKF is obviously a challenge and it’s not something we would like to see,” he said.

LIVE MATCHES

KBC was represented at the function by its Program Manager Monica Waceke who lauded the move.

“It is a privilege to partner with SuperSport and airing the live matches on KBC will be a big benefit to Kenyans who can’t access pay TV,” Waceke said.

Also in attendance were KPL chairman Ambrose Rachier, Chief Executive Officer Jack Oguda and SuperSport East Africa General Manager Auka Gecheo.

Last season SuperSport aired seventy percent of KPL matches and Auka was quick to point out that the figure will rise this term.

On his part, KPL chairman, Ambrose Rachier, affirmed his body’s preparedness for the league kick off.

“We do not really care on what happens with the other league (FKF Premier League). We will go ahead and concentrate on ours,” Rachier said.

Oguda confirmed that all the 16 clubs that will participate in their league have signed commitment letters and have all received the affront Sh 1.5 million and the February grant of Sh 550,000.

The partnership with KBC comes barely eight weeks after SuperSport extended its broadcast partnership with KPL to 2021. The initial agreement signed in 2007 expires at the end of this season.