MUMBAI: The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has formalised a three-year agreement with the South African Football Association (SAFA).

This will make SABC the exclusive free-to-air (FTA) broadcaster of three national soccer teams ? Bafana Bafana, Banyana Banyana and the Under 23 side.

The total value of the contract is in the region of R215 million over three years.

SABC will have all FTA broadcasting rights of Bafana Bafana home matches and any away friendly matches.

The rights will also include Banyana Banyana matches and any away friendly matches that Banyana Banyana may be involved in. The SABC will, however, be obliged to broadcast four of these matches a year, and

further matches will be broadcast should schedule and programming permit.

The rights to broadcast include all Under 23 home matches and any away friendly matches that they may be involved in. SABC will, however,

be obliged to broadcast three of these matches a year, and further matches will be broadcast should schedule and programming permit.

The deal also includes a new SAFA magazine programme to be launched in the new season, as well as new initiatives in regional radio through the SABC radio stations.

SABC Group CEO Lulama Mokhobo said, "We are excited about the new era we are entering with SAFA. Since the ending of the last contract, we were negotiating on a match to match basis, which posed challenges in our ability to plan adequately for transmission. This also caused, in some instances, a situation where we broadcasted delayed matches."

?Our viewers will now be able to enjoy more live matches, without the worry that they won?t be able to watch their national teams playing. This partnership empowers us to serve the needs of soccer loving fans".

SAFA CEO, Dr Robin Petersen said, "This has been a long journey which has now reached a good destination. We are delighted with the contract, which is a substantial improvement of the previous one, and will go a long way to help us to fund the development and other football needs of the Association."

MUMBAI: The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and the South African Football Association (SAFA) have reached an agreement wherein the public service broadcaster will carry all the games for the national soccer teams for three years.

The agreement will be presented to the boards of the SABC and SAFA respectively to get their approval. The contract is expected to be signed during the second week of May.

SABC?s acting COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng said, "For the SABC this is a historic milestone for both parties, as previously we negotiated on a game to game basis. Once the contract has been signed, South Africans can be rest assured that for the next three years, they will be able to watch the national soccer teams whenever they play home games.? The pact will strengthen the relationship between the SABC and SAFA as it was perceived to be on shaky ground. Said Motsoeneng, ?The agreement has been structured in a way that all parties, but especially the South African public, wins.?

?This deal is a significant advancement for SAFA?s Commercial programme and will enable us to ensure that we achieve the international success which is our immediate, medium and long term goal,? said Dr SAFA Commercial Committee chair Dr Danny Jordaan.

In relation to away games involving Bafana Bafana, the two parties have agreed to work together, in negotiations with Sport Five.