The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has unveiled its comprehensive broadcast plans and activities for the 2011 IRB World Cup tournament, taking place in New Zealand from 9 September until 23 October.
As part of the sub-license agreement with SuperSport, the main rights holders in South Africa, the corporation will broadcast thirty five (35) matches in total, 28 of which will be live and 7 delayed.
The main focus for the public service broadcaster will be to broadcast all of the Springbok games as they pursue glory once again.
The SABC has put together a broadcast schedule of games and programming that is aimed at creating a unified force behind our national team, through our exciting on-air campaign and relevant and impactful programming, using SABC2 and Radio 2000 as the supporting media.
Our biggest aim with our Rugby World Cup campaign is to attract the non-traditional audiences of rugby, fulfilling our mandate of nation-building.
Acting GCEO Mr. Phil Molefe said “As a public service broadcaster, we are well aware of our role in society. With sport, the SABC has an opportunity to unite the nation behind one common goal of being a winning nation. With the Rugby World cup in particular, the organisation has ensured that its programming and activities are geared towards galvanizing public support behind the Springboks, the reigning Rugby world champions. Unity is OUR game.
SABC 2 will be the official TV platform for Rugby World Cup Channel and the launch pad for the on-air Rugby campaign. SABC 1 and SABC 3 will be supporting channels, providing alternative rugby viewing with programmes such as documentaries and country and player profiles.
For radio, Radio 2000 will be anchor, broadcasting all Rugby games live. Other public service radio stations will play a supporting role, delivering the games in the respective languages, while educating listeners on the ins and outs of the game.
