[dropcap]M[/dropcap]ultiChoice has warned Kenyan broadcasters against airing World Cup related content from its SuperSport channels. The company, which owns pay TV rights for the Russia 2018 football World Cup, has asked local TV and radio stations to adhere to the laid down guidelines of using SuperSport content.
“SUPERSPORT does not hold any FTA (free to air) rights and as such none of the World Cup footage from SuperSport can be used in any magazine feature or sports talkshow,” MultiChoice, which owns DStv and Gotv, which provide SuperSport broadcasts, said in a letter to broadcasters ahead of the kick-off on Thursday June 14th.
Free to air rights in Kenya belong to NTV, which secured the deal through Kwese Free Sports, a regional free to air and pay television service. NTV is expected to air ony half of the 64 games. Kwese, operated by Zimbabwean-based Econet Media, won the rights through a FIFA tender in March last year to offer “by way of free-to-air and pay-TV transmission for exploitation in all territories of sub Saharan Africa except South Africa.”
MultiChoice owned SuperSport and Startimes were granted pay-TV transmission “for exploitation in all territories of sub-Saharan Africa except South Africa.”
In the letter, MultiChoice says TV and radio stations are only allowed to use footage only as part of regular news bulletins capped at three minutes per bulletin. This will mostly affect radio stations that often use DSTV coverage to broadcast live matches.
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“It is allowed to use WC footage as part of your regular NEWS bulletins (and credited as courtesy of SS) as long as it does not exceed the stipulated 2-3mins per bulletin,” it says in a letter.
Without specifying the consequences for defying the guidelines, the letter says world football governing body FIFA, which dishes out broadcast rights, would monitor use of footage by various broadcasters across the globe.
“We are advised that FIFA monitor use of footage during the World Cup period so kindly adhere to these guidelines when using SS footage,” said.
Those who go against this are likely to face hefty fines.
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HERE IS THE FULL MEMO TO BROADCASTERS
Hello All,
I trust this email finds you all well.
As you plan for the WC broadcasts and in the event you are planning to use any footage from SUPERSPORT, kindly note the following:
SUPERSPORT does not hold any FTA rights and as such none of the World Cup Footage from Supersport can be used in any magazine feature or sports talkshow
It is allowed to use WC footage as part of your regular NEWS bulletins ( and credited as courtesy of SS) as long as it does not exceed the stipulated 2-3mins per bulletin
We are advised that FIFA monitor use of footage during the World Cup period so kindly adhere to these guidelines when using SS footage
I hope this will help you plan accordingly and do share internally with your relevant teams.
Regards
Sharleen
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