CANAL+ and PSL are strengthening their partnership following CANAL+’s acquisition of MultiChoice to enhance South African football’s reach and production quality, despite concerns about declining stadium attendances. Picture: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
The Premier Soccer League (PSL) and CANAL+ Group have held talks aimed at strengthening their long-standing partnership following the French broadcaster’s recent acquisition of the MultiChoice Group.
Executives from CANAL+ met with PSL chairman Irvin Khoza as part of the company’s broader strategy to expand its investment in local content, particularly sport.
The PSL and MultiChoice partnership dates back to 2007, with SuperSport playing a major role in improving the production quality and reach of domestic football broadcasts across South Africa and the continent.
Khoza described the PSL as more than just a football competition, saying the league had become a “cultural infrastructure” that connects communities across generations and regions.
“Every PSL match carries consequences and has an impact on the others,” said Khoza. “This cascading effect sustains an ongoing national conversation that reaches across communities and generations.”
He added that CANAL+’s broadcasting capabilities had helped the league reach millions of supporters, despite concerns around declining stadium attendances at some matches.
“Every PSL match carries value, irrespective of the number of spectators in the stadium,” Khoza said. “Each match’s true significance lies in its consequence within the league.”
CANAL+ director for sports content in English and Portuguese-speaking Africa, Rendani Ramovha, reaffirmed the broadcaster’s commitment to South African football.
“The PSL is a key partner to the group, and it is important to ensure that we maintain a good relationship with our key stakeholders,” said Ramovha.
He said local football remained one of the most in-demand offerings on DStv and SuperSport, adding that CANAL+ viewed the PSL as an important platform to continue innovating its sports broadcast product.
The Betway Premiership is currently locked in a tightly contested title race between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.