SuperSport becomes PCB’s Africa broadcast partner for home international matches and PSL till 2023

[MenInG]

SuperSport becomes PCB’s broadcast partner for home international matches and HBL PSL till 2023

• Agreement covers 83 days of Pakistan’s home international cricket and HBL Pakistan Super League from 2021 to 2023

• Major announcement comes within a month after the PCB signed a $200million three-year agreement for its domestic cricket

• PCB’s region-based strategy means more broadcast licensee partner announcements to be made in due course

• Wasim Khan: “This partnership will enable us to showcase our exciting cricketers, home international fixtures and HBL Pakistan Super League to the sport-loving Africa region”

Lahore, 29 October 2020:

In a ground-breaking development and for the first time in Pakistan cricket’s history, the Pakistan Cricket Board has signed a three-year agreement with SuperSport that has made South Africa’s leading multi-channel sport network as its broadcast partner in the Africa region for all home international cricket and HBL Pakistan Super League until 2023.

The agreement means SuperSport, one of the world’s most popular and favourite sport channels, will have exclusive rights to televise Pakistan’s home international matches and HBL Pakistan Super League from 2021 to 2023.

The first series of the partnership starts in Rawalpindi on 30 October when Pakistan host Zimbabwe in the first ODI. The series will conclude on 10 November with the third T20I.

As such, from the series against Zimbabwe till the end of December 2022, Pakistan is scheduled to play nine Tests, 20 ODIs and 18 T20Is, meaning 83 days of home international matches. To top this up with three HBL Pakistan Super League from 2021-2023, the cricket fans in Africa can now brace for aggressive, attractive and competitive cricket from one of the powerhouses of world cricket.

The announcement has come within a month after the Pakistan Cricket Board signed a $200million three-year agreement with PTV Sports and I-Media Communication Services to broadcast Pakistan’s domestic matches.

In line with their World of Champions slogan, SuperSport has grown tremendously in the past 25 years after becoming a single complete channel in 1995 to now boast 19 High Definition sport channels, including a dedicated cricket channel.

On the other 18 channels, SuperSport broadcasts all other sport, including football, tennis, golf, motorsport, boxing, wrestling, hockey, athletics as well as global events such as the summer and winter Olympics, Commonwealth Games and World Cups.

PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan: “We are delighted to partner with a globally-renowned sport network such as SuperSport. This partnership will enable us to showcase our exciting cricketers, 83 days of our home international cricket and HBL Pakistan Super League to the sport-loving Africa region.

“The HBL Pakistan Super League is the PCB’s marquee event in which a big number of foreign cricketers, including from South Africa, take part. Through SuperSport, the South Africa fans will be able to not only follow the high-octane cricket but also support their favourite players that, in turn, will help the PCB to make HBL Pakistan Super League as one of the top leagues.

“As a broadcast partner in the Africa region, I have no doubt that SuperSport will take full advantage of this partnership by promoting Pakistan cricket across its vast territory.

“The PCB remains committed to strengthening the foundations of Pakistan cricket with sustainability at the core of our five-year strategy.

“This new partnership follows quickly after the domestic $200million deal recently secured with PTV Sports and I-Media Communication Services. Broadening our revenue streams will not only go a long way to de-risking our business, but it will also support our aim of improving our cricket infrastructure and domestic cricket, as well as enabling us to improve contracts for our men and women players, our coaches and match officials.

“In line with our region-based strategy, the PCB has had positive responses from key sport broadcasters and so we expect to make further announcements in due course.”

Marc Jury, Head of Acquisitions, SuperSport: “We are very excited to be extending our partnership with the Pakistan Cricket Board for their full international schedule and the HBL Pakistan Super League, more so given that Pakistan will be playing their home matches back in Pakistan.”

 

[Mir jibran]

Jiyo wasim khan

 

[TrentDevil]

Perfect!

Need to get Sky on Board for similar deal, that would be great

 

[JattMaula]

Another half billion?

 

[Mamoon]

Feeling sorry for cricket fans in Africa.

Nevertheless, this is a good news for cricket fans in Pakistan with access to SuperSport.

They are no Sky but they are infinitely better than PTV.

 

[angrypathan]

Brilliant. The games will actually be televised in HD now

 

[cricketjoshila]

Supersport are a very good broadcaster, they literally have a monopoly in SA and any other broadcaster has literally no chance.

I see that time and again reference is made to a $200mn broadcast deal. Its not that. There is no fixed 200mn, like other boards have with their broadcaster. Its a revenue projection out of which 42.5% will go to PTV. So PCB's share will be around 115mn. Substract the cost of production. Add to that the revenue to be made by selling international rights in each region.

So the actual surplus may be around the 100-120mn mark. Double than the 60mn pcb made last time.

But everything depends on hitting $200mn in revenue at home in 3 years. It will be making more money in a year than the last broadcaster paid in 5-6 years.

 

[gazza619]

Feeling sorry for cricket fans in Africa.

Nevertheless, this is a good news for cricket fans in Pakistan with access to SuperSport.

They are no Sky but they are infinitely better than PTV.

Why feeling sorry for fans in Africa?

 

[Rana]

Feeling sorry for cricket fans in Africa.

Nevertheless, this is a good news for cricket fans in Pakistan with access to SuperSport.

They are no Sky but they are infinitely better than PTV.

Go on, elaborate and prepare for the worst...

 

[Slog]

I used to watch SuperSport a lot back in the 2000s. It literally was the best. All soccer leagues whether English, Italian or Spanish. Every random cricket series in the world. Barely a sport tbey didn’t cover. This is where I was watching SOuth African Ram Slam T20 way back in 2004. Also I had this HUGE superstition that I had to watch Man United game on Supersports (Eventhough they were 5-6 seconds behind other channel) because United would pretty much win every match I watched on it lol.

And then Pakistanis sports channels sprung up and got rights to different events and in order to monopolize the market they forced Cable tv companies to put DSTV and Super sport off the air. Was a moment of soag for me lol. Because it was almost guaranteed in atleast one of the 5-6 super sport channels you were almost guaranteed to find something to watch no matter what time you switched on the TV. So I have great memories eith the channel.

One funny note is that while I know that my Man United superstition was stupid; ever since super sport got taken off air in Pakistan, Man United has largely been terrible.

 

[Varun]

So do they stop covering South African cricket?

 

[naseem]

What about the home series of South Africa.....what I can make out of it is that SA won't play any home series during PSL......they may play away.....or may not......gen Dec to Feb is a very busy schedule for. proteas.......if they don't play during PSL there is a good chance of getting some proteas for PSL

 

[Mamoon]

Why feeling sorry for fans in Africa?

Go on, elaborate and prepare for the worst...

South Africa is no longer an elite side, Zimbabwe cricket is almost done and dusted, while the likes Kenya and Namibia have been reduced to rubble.

And now the mediocrity that is Pakistan cricket will be forced down their throats.

Unless Pakistan gets more matches against the big 3 which is not happening, this is clearly not a good deal for cricket fans in Africa who want to pay to watch high quality cricket.

 

[Rana]

Well done PCB and well done Wasim Khan. Small steps but significant ones none the less. Super sport is a feeder to Sky Sports for South African cricket and this will open the door for more exposure in Europe. Sky sports are desperately looking for cricket to broadcast on their channels before BT sports snaps up their remaining customers.

A day for haters to burn

 

[naseem]

I’m afraid you need serious help. You should be seeking a psychiatrist to help you deal with PCB and Wasim Khan’s success, as this may be harmful for you in the long run as it’s going no where.

Learn to be happy and not create negativity for others at the comfort of your laptop and anonymity. Your hate will eat you alive.

Seriously a team of Rabada Nortje Morris DeCock Faf and probably AB is not an elite side......just a poor 2019 WC and they r poor.......

 

[naseem]

Well done PCB and well done Wasim Khan. Small steps but significant ones none the less. Super sport is a feeder to Sky Sports for South African cricket and this will open the door for more exposure in Europe. Sky sports are desperately looking for cricket to broadcast on their channels before BT sports snaps up their remaining customers.

A day for haters to burn

Many may lose their josh .....glad PCB and Pakistani cricket is finally moving in r8 direction

 

[naseem]

It will definitely boost viwership......There r many ppl from subcontinent esp Pak living their....many have
Their origins from subcontinent.... Sky would have
Been better but Sky has no space i guess and supersport is a very good broadcaster

 

[Rana]

Many may lose their josh .....glad PCB and Pakistani cricket is finally moving in r8 direction

Working hard in silence is Wasim Khan sab. The results are loud and clear for all to see. He inherited a mess from his predecessors who some poster vehemently defends due to his political affiliation, but he is doing the best for PCB with his professional expertise. This is hurting some people not because he isn’t doing things in the right way, but because doing the right thing makes the incompetent people of the past look useless.

Those haters need help.

 

[Rana]

Congratulations fans of Africa, you will now witness some quality up coming fast bowlers and some exciting new batsmen, plus the text book of batting himself Babar Azam.

Also with cricket returning to Pakistan, lots of home series against good oppositions, this is the right time to be a part of this journey

 

[Thunderbolt14]

Jiyo wasim khan

Ameen

 

[MenInG]

Wasim's absolutely changed the landscape of PCB. Brilliant work.

 

[Rana]

Wasim's absolutely changed the landscape of PCB. Brilliant work.

Alhamdolillah. May he continue to march forth in success.

 

[Rajdeep]

Well done PCB and well done Wasim Khan. Small steps but significant ones none the less. Super sport is a feeder to Sky Sports for South African cricket and this will open the door for more exposure in Europe. Sky sports are desperately looking for cricket to broadcast on their channels before BT sports snaps up their remaining customers.

A day for haters to burn

BT Sports is a pain man. Its so expensive and they have already taken over the Australian home games, champions league football etc. British public can longer watch the Ashes tours downunder in SKY. I have no idea where to watch India tour of Australia.

 

[Varun]

BT Sports is a pain man. Its so expensive and they have already taken over the Australian home games, champions league football etc. British public can longer watch the Ashes tours downunder in SKY. I have no idea where to watch India tour of Australia.

Set up a VPN and catch it on the officlal broadcaster - SonyLiv.

 

[MenInG]

guys topic is about Pakistan cricket - thanks

 

[Mir jibran]

Set up a VPN and catch it on the officlal broadcaster - SonyLiv.

Is it on sony network ?
Didnt saw any advertisment/promo of this series

 

[Varun]

Is it on sony network ?
Didnt saw any advertisment/promo of this series

It should be on Sony. They cover all India tours of Australia, South Africa and England.

 

[Mir jibran]

It should be on Sony. They cover all India tours of Australia, South Africa and England.

Oh my bad i thought you were talking abt pak zim series

 

[Omer2002]

BT Sports is a pain man. Its so expensive and they have already taken over the Australian home games, champions league football etc. British public can longer watch the Ashes tours downunder in SKY. I have no idea where to watch India tour of Australia.

Indias tour to Aussie land is on BT sports thats confirmed

 

[Rana]

BT Sports is a pain man. Its so expensive and they have already taken over the Australian home games, champions league football etc. British public can longer watch the Ashes tours downunder in SKY. I have no idea where to watch India tour of Australia.

Me too. Now Sky Sports are trying to make extra money from average Premier league matches with Sky sports PPV.

You might as well strike a deal with the PCB and try to save the british Pakistani viewership by using the Supersport coverage.

 

[PakPremi]

Wasim continues to impress slowly moving Pakistani cricket in line with modern world.

 

[naseem]

Oh my bad i thought you were talking abt pak zim series

It's in Sony too

 

[Mueez]

Great news!

Well done Wasim Khan, well done.

 

[Savak]

Supersport are a very good broadcaster, they literally have a monopoly in SA and any other broadcaster has literally no chance.

I see that time and again reference is made to a $200mn broadcast deal. Its not that. There is no fixed 200mn, like other boards have with their broadcaster. Its a revenue projection out of which 42.5% will go to PTV. So PCB's share will be around 115mn. Substract the cost of production. Add to that the revenue to be made by selling international rights in each region.

So the actual surplus may be around the 100-120mn mark. Double than the 60mn pcb made last time.

But everything depends on hitting $200mn in revenue at home in 3 years. It will be making more money in a year than the last broadcaster paid in 5-6 years.

The PCB expects its 57.5% share to work out to $200 million in the next 3 years

 

[MenInG]

Stay on topic.

 

[Markhor]

PCB doing good work on the commercial front. Wonder how much revenue this SuperSport deal brings in.

 

[Hasan123]

This a very good deal by the PCB.

 

[TrentDevil]

So do they stop covering South African cricket?

They have 25 odd sports channels, could broadcast Pak Home series on any of them when South Africa fixtures are also at the same time.

 

[andy0204]

Is Mark Nicholas will be there as commentator during Pakistan matches? because he is under Supersport contract.

 

[Rana]

Is Mark Nicholas will be there as commentator during Pakistan matches? because he is under Supersport contract.

And Mike Haysmen too. He is the Ramiz Raja of SENA in terms of bias against Pakistan

 

[Rana]

PCB literally setting up shop with International cricket set to remain at home now. Positive moves.

 

[silentkiller187]

I'm sure west indies had a similar deal with Sky sports, where their home games were shown in the UK, i remember that epic test when yasir shah got gabriel with his last ball in match to win the series. Pakistan could look to replicate something similar, however im sure skysports cameramen would prefer a month in the Caribbean compared to a month in Pakistan, maybe has something to do with those logistics?

 

[Rana]

I'm sure west indies had a similar deal with Sky sports, where their home games were shown in the UK, i remember that epic test when yasir shah got gabriel with his last ball in match to win the series. Pakistan could look to replicate something similar, however im sure skysports cameramen would prefer a month in the Caribbean compared to a month in Pakistan, maybe has something to do with those logistics?

But the PCB don’t need sky sports camera men. That was the whole point of getting the HD cameras in the first place, they can use their own camera men, Supersports coverage team and use the feed on their Cricket channel or sky sports mix.

 

[TrentDevil]

Is Mark Nicholas will be there as commentator during Pakistan matches? because he is under Supersport contract.

They are just broadcasting partners and not producers, they will be displaying the PCB produced games on their channels without any modifications. Same thing will be displayed on both PTV as well as SuperSport, tho on SuperSport it will be in HD

 

[silentkiller187]

But the PCB don’t need sky sports camera men. That was the whole point of getting the HD cameras in the first place, they can use their own camera men, Supersports coverage team and use the feed on their Cricket channel or sky sports mix.

Makes sense, but judging by the national t20 our coverage is too unstable for a established broadcaster like sky.

 

[Rana]

Makes sense, but judging by the national t20 our coverage is too unstable for a established broadcaster like sky.

They will demand 4K cameras as a bare minimum, but they have already used the coverage from Supersport for South Africa home series on their channel. Let’s see how Supersport improve the quality and whether it is good enough to be broadcasted on Sky, before they lose another big draw cricket country to BT sport. They are barely hanging on to English cricket.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Great news

 

[silentkiller187]

They will demand 4K cameras as a bare minimum, but they have already used the coverage from Supersport for South Africa home series on their channel. Let’s see how Supersport improve the quality and whether it is good enough to be broadcasted on Sky, before they lose another big draw cricket country to BT sport. They are barely hanging on to English cricket.

Definitely an avenue that needs to be explored later on down the line, opportunities are there. Hopefully the more experience we get with our own home games, the better the coverage becomes and we can then sell the product around the globe.

 

[CricketingMinds]

This all sounds good, but I am a bit confused.

Does this mean:

1. Before this deal, no PSL or Pakistan cricket games (home or international) were being televised in Africa? If so, how did the people there ever watch Pakistan games? Or they didn't?

2. What about the $200M deal with PTV then? What's the difference between the two deals?

3. How does this deal with SuperSports benefit Pakistan, Pakistan Cricket & PCB?

 

[Markhor]

I'm sure west indies had a similar deal with Sky sports, where their home games were shown in the UK, i remember that epic test when yasir shah got gabriel with his last ball in match to win the series. Pakistan could look to replicate something similar, however im sure skysports cameramen would prefer a month in the Caribbean compared to a month in Pakistan, maybe has something to do with those logistics?

Sky have carried West Indies' home internationals since the 1990s - Sky have nothing to do with the production though. They simply hold the broadcasting rights in the UK - carrying the feed which in 2017 vs Pakistan was produced by Ten Sports.

They will demand 4K cameras as a bare minimum, but they have already used the coverage from Supersport for South Africa home series on their channel. Let’s see how Supersport improve the quality and whether it is good enough to be broadcasted on Sky, before they lose another big draw cricket country to BT sport. They are barely hanging on to English cricket.

SuperSports will have nothing to do with the production. They will simply broadcast in Africa the feed which is produced by PCB's partners TowerSports and SportzWorkz.

 

[Markhor]

This all sounds good, but I am a bit confused.

Does this mean:

1. Before this deal, no PSL or Pakistan cricket games (home or international) were being televised in Africa? If so, how did the people there ever watch Pakistan games? Or they didn't?

2. What about the $200M deal with PTV then? What's the difference between the two deals?

3. How does this deal with SuperSports benefit Pakistan, Pakistan Cricket & PCB?

It doesn't affect the PTV deal at all. PTV hold the rights to Pakistan's home internationals in Pakistan. SuperSport will simply hold the broadcasting rights to Pakistan's home internationals in Africa.

It benefits the PCB because it means more revenue coming in which can be reinvested into domestic cricket, player salaries etc.

 

[Rana]

Sky have carried West Indies' home internationals since the 1990s - Sky have nothing to do with the production though. They simply hold the broadcasting rights in the UK - carrying the feed which in 2017 vs Pakistan was produced by Ten Sports.


SuperSports will have nothing to do with the production. They will simply broadcast in Africa the feed which is produced by PCB's partners TowerSports and SportzWorkz.

So Sky can do the same for PCB like they have done for WICB?

 

[Bhaijaan]

Congratulations to all Pakistanis and true fans of Cricket.

 

[Markhor]

So Sky can do the same for PCB like they have done for WICB?

According to Saj, Sky haven't been fans of the way PCB conducted business in the past.

That's why we've had to settle for crappy desi channels like ARY Digital, Zee Cafe etc.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Great deal. Nice to see Pakistan trying to broaden there cricket brand around the world. There's quite a few Pakistanis in Africa who are welcoming this news. Well done Wasim Khan.

 

[Rana]

According to Saj, Sky haven't been fans of the way PCB conducted business in the past.

That's why we've had to settle for crappy desi channels like ARY Digital, Zee Cafe etc.

In the Past, Sky was the only sports channel that held any meaning in England. BT sport has truly rattled their cage now and Sky will do well to hold onto rights for the ECB at this moment. I believe Wasim Khan can enter negotiations with a new approach and it would be the right time now.

 

[cricketjoshila]

The PCB expects its 57.5% share to work out to $200 million in the next 3 years

. Then they are expecting a revenue of more than 500mn in 3 years. Thats more than 150mn a year only from domestic market. Considering that it doesn't include the PSL and the PSL deal is around 40mn. This will mean that pcb expects revenue to be close to 200mn a year. That puts it into the league of what ECB makes and more than CA, that too with no India tour.

Last time PCB made 50-70mn for a 5 year period.

This revenue projection will be near impossible.

A revenue of $200mn in total looks more realistic.

 

[cricketjoshila]

I heard that earlier also it was supersport that held rights of the pakistan matches.

[MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION]

@saj


can you confirm?

 

[Omer2002]

On Supersport tv Schedule i can see pak zimb series 2nd one day from Sunday nothing for tomorrow maybe it was too late for tomorrow. I can see third one day next tuesday as well

 

[shariqnoor]

Excellent. So now I don't have to tune into PTV Sports.

Hopefully some of the money received will be put towards upgradation of stadiums. We currently have the worst stadiums in all of the cricketing world. No double tier stadium, concrete slabs as seats, abominable hygienic conditions. Going to a stadium should be a splendid experience, not a tribulation.

 

[MenInG]

I heard that earlier also it was supersport that held rights of the pakistan matches.

[MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION]

@saj


can you confirm?

We arent aware of this.

The current news is about Africa rights.

 

[gazza619]

South Africa is no longer an elite side, Zimbabwe cricket is almost done and dusted, while the likes Kenya and Namibia have been reduced to rubble.

And now the mediocrity that is Pakistan cricket will be forced down their throats.

Unless Pakistan gets more matches against the big 3 which is not happening, this is clearly not a good deal for cricket fans in Africa who want to pay to watch high quality cricket.

I disagree. PSL features some really quality cricket and is arguably the second best in the world.

 

[aloo paratha]

. Then they are expecting a revenue of more than 500mn in 3 years. Thats more than 150mn a year only from domestic market. Considering that it doesn't include the PSL and the PSL deal is around 40mn. This will mean that pcb expects revenue to be close to 200mn a year. That puts it into the league of what ECB makes and more than CA, that too with no India tour.

Last time PCB made 50-70mn for a 5 year period.

This revenue projection will be near impossible.

A revenue of $200mn in total looks more realistic.

Dude can you do some math? If PCB is taking 57.5%, to get 200 million, the total revenue needs to be around 348 Million, not over 500 milllion.

 

[Rana]

Excellent. So now I don't have to tune into PTV Sports.

Hopefully some of the money received will be put towards upgradation of stadiums. We currently have the worst stadiums in all of the cricketing world. No double tier stadium, concrete slabs as seats, abominable hygienic conditions. Going to a stadium should be a splendid experience, not a tribulation.

I think if they use the money towards the upgrading of Media equipment (cameras/hotspot/presenters/commentators) it would open up more doors and more money.

 

[aloo paratha]

Great news. Now we need a deal with Sky Sports.

 

[saeed5646]

According to Saj, Sky haven't been fans of the way PCB conducted business in the past.

That's why we've had to settle for crappy desi channels like ARY Digital, Zee Cafe etc.

Surprise with that .Their is alot of pak audience from uk .Hopefully wasim was talking about sky sports

“In line with our region-based strategy, the PCB has had positive responses from key sport broadcasters and so we expect to make further announcements in due course.”

 

[Savak]

Dude can you do some math? If PCB is taking 57.5%, to get 200 million, the total revenue needs to be around 348 Million, not over 500 milllion.

Wasim Khan in a recent interview with an Australian Journalist mentioned that the PCB expects to get $90 million a year from the PTV deal so he expects PCB's 57.5% share to be around $270 million

 

[Savak]

. Then they are expecting a revenue of more than 500mn in 3 years. Thats more than 150mn a year only from domestic market. Considering that it doesn't include the PSL and the PSL deal is around 40mn. This will mean that pcb expects revenue to be close to 200mn a year. That puts it into the league of what ECB makes and more than CA, that too with no India tour.

Last time PCB made 50-70mn for a 5 year period.

This revenue projection will be near impossible.

A revenue of $200mn in total looks more realistic.

Lets just wait for the next 3 years to see what is the true reality. No point in debating this right now

 

[GreenKhan]

Whilst this is a good deal , there is no consideration for European fans who frantically have to wait till the last minute to find out who is showing the matches .

Even if there was a deal with broadcaster like Premier tv or a channel called freeview sports it would be wonderful .

This time it’s gone a step ahead and looks like there is no UK broadcaster !

 

[shamaan]

Whilst this is a good deal , there is no consideration for European fans who frantically have to wait till the last minute to find out who is showing the matches .

Even if there was a deal with broadcaster like Premier tv or a channel called freeview sports it would be wonderful .

This time it’s gone a step ahead and looks like there is no UK broadcaster !

Am really surprised as we all know alot of pakistani cricket fans live in england and we cant watch any of the matches against zimbabwe

 

[cricketjoshila]

We arent aware of this.

The current news is about Africa rights.

Previou season broadcast rights were held by Supersport as well. That deal may have come via sub licence of the global rights holder of PCB.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Dude can you do some math? If PCB is taking 57.5%, to get 200 million, the total revenue needs to be around 348 Million, not over 500 milllion.

You are forgetting the cost of production. So to have a surplus it will be closer to 500mn in 3 years.

 

[GreenKhan]

Am really surprised as we all know alot of pakistani cricket fans live in england and we cant watch any of the matches against zimbabwe

Complete farce !

 

[shamaan]

Complete farce !

Someone said it's going to be on youTube

 

[Rana]

Whilst Sky sports has no choice but to replay IPL matches of the past to fill in voids, Pakistan can’t secure a spot on the channel.

Seriously, Wasim Khan sab needs to get his teeth into this. It’s an opportunity begging

 

[Abdullah719]

Great, now if only there were some local channels with HD broadcast capabilities that would also show our games...

 

[Omer2002]

I dont think a vpn can used in uk for supersports plus there is no way to get supersport subscription is there??

 

[Pakpak]

How much is this in $$$$$?

 

[JattMaula]

How much is this in $$$$$?

Somewhere near 200 million dollars!

That's a lot of money! PCB has monetized their product quite well.

 

[shaaik]

I used to watch SuperSport a lot back in the 2000s. It literally was the best. All soccer leagues whether English, Italian or Spanish. Every random cricket series in the world. Barely a sport tbey didn’t cover. This is where I was watching SOuth African Ram Slam T20 way back in 2004. Also I had this HUGE superstition that I had to watch Man United game on Supersports (Eventhough they were 5-6 seconds behind other channel) because United would pretty much win every match I watched on it lol.

And then Pakistanis sports channels sprung up and got rights to different events and in order to monopolize the market they forced Cable tv companies to put DSTV and Super sport off the air. Was a moment of soag for me lol. Because it was almost guaranteed in atleast one of the 5-6 super sport channels you were almost guaranteed to find something to watch no matter what time you switched on the TV. So I have great memories eith the channel.

One funny note is that while I know that my Man United superstition was stupid; ever since super sport got taken off air in Pakistan, Man United has largely been terrible.

So SuperSport was free to air in pak those days .. that’s Amazing !!!