- 24-hour FIFA World Cup dedicated channels to come
- International guests and star local cast
- All 64 matches on DStv, GOtv and Showmax Pro
- Wealth of supplementary World Cup programming
SuperSport, DStv and GOtv are gearing up for the most ambitious FIFA World Cup of them all.
Sweeping broadcast plans were announced for the 22nd tournament, taking place in Qatar from November 20.
The multi-platform offering will encompass all 64 matches, customised language options, an array of supplementary programming, various catch-up options, top guests and analysts and streaming choices.
SuperSport has undertaken visits to Qatar in anticipation of the year's most anticipated sporting event and will have an embedded crew reporting from the heart of the action for the duration of the event.
“Given the convenient kick-off times and the big-name teams, we are anticipating a massive television event," said Marc Jury, chief executive of SuperSport. "This is far and away the biggest FIFA World Cup we are planning with a wealth of content, supplemented by great guests and different viewing options. The entire viewing experience will set new standards for broadcast excellence.”
Unveiling plans today, MultiChoice executives detailed several elements that would contribute to making the 2022 World Cup a first-class viewing experience.
Presenters and Guests
SuperSport will have an array of acclaimed presenters and analysts to break down the action and set the scene for what is to come.
Live match anchors will be the well-established trio of Julia Stuart, Thomas Mlambo and Mozez Praiz, while former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke and Carol Tshabalala will work the microphones directly from Qatar.
International guests will include an array of former African and European stars: Jay Jay Okocha, Asamoah Gyan, Gaizka Mendieta, Owen Hargreaves, Michael Owen and Jaap Stam.
With multiple local language options also available for the World Cup, there will be expert commentary from in-country experts across Africa.
Digital
In what is expected to be a digitally-led World Cup, SuperSport will be partnering with a number of global social platforms as well as FIFA’s team to take fans inside the tournament like never before. Coverage will extend from the dressing room all the way to behind-the-scenes of SuperSport’s studio operations.
There will be interactive debates on Twitter, live spots on TikTok as well as full match coverage on all the major social networks.
In a special series leading up to the tournament, Mark Gleeson will take a look back at defining moments in Africa’s history at the World Cup – mostly personal recollections from Africa’s “walking encyclopaedia” as Gleeson has attended every World Cup since 1980.
Meanwhile, on SuperSport.com, the World Cup coincides perfectly with the launch of the all-new website. With a new look and enhanced features, the Qatar experience will be a real treat for football fans, as the new match centres provide an unrivalled online experience. And just like with the app, fans are able to personalise the site and receive their favourite content as they land on the home page.
Also coming in to play for the World Cup is a cool interactive element, as users who sign in are able to answer pop-up questions around all the games as they read and watch the content on the site. There is the chance to prove you are the football whizz, and accumulate points towards an overall World Cup leader board.
Catch Up
The DStv Catch Up service will include highlights of all 64 matches (depending on viewers’ package).
There will be a dedicated World Cup section that includes magazine shows, with World Cup documentaries already available.
Magazine shows
SuperSport will broadcast five World Cup magazine shows regularly.
Marhaba Qatar – every Sunday morning at 9am (CAT) and all six non-match days.
Masterplan – analysis show every Sunday at 10am (CAT) during group stage and 2pm (CAT) after the group stage.
Super Saturday – will include live crossings and features from Qatar on Saturdays at 9am (CAT).
World Cup Insights – Weekly conversations with top guests in Doha.
SuperPicks TV show – Underpins the all-new SuperPicks platform powered by SuperSport & BetKing where everyone above the age of 18 can play sports games for free and win real money.
Additionally, short-form content will include the moment of the day and Qatar 360, an eye-catching montage set to music of sights, sounds and the fans.
Build-up programming
Pre-World Cup, from November 6, the SS PSL and SS Football Plus channels will be renamed SuperSport World Cup Central, a 24-hour World Cup channel featuring classic games, FIFA documentaries, FIFA films, Road To Qatar, World Cup magazine show, Moment of Truth, Qatar Prepares, 2022 FIFA World Cup - The Journey, The Story of the World Cup, Football's Greatest Stage, Countdown To Qatar, FIFA - When The World Watched, FIFA World Cup Moments, Once in a Lifetime – 2010 and the One to Eleven documentary.
As the World Cup kicks off on November 20, SuperSport World Cup Central will also become the go-to destination for everything World Cup.
Languages
SuperSport’s World Cup broadcasts will be available for the first time in 13 different languages, customised per region:
Nigeria: English, Pidgin, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo.
Rest of Africa: English, Swahili, KiSwahili, Twi, Luganda.
Ethiopia: Amharic, English.
Angola & Mozambique: Portuguese, English.
South Africa: English, Zulu, Setswana/Sotho, Portuguese.
Packages All 64 matches will be available on DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus, DStv Compact and GOtv Supa, together with the most comprehensive offering of game build-ups, analysis and other World Cup coverage.
SuperSport’s offering will also include World Cup live games for DStv Access, DStv Family, GOtv Max and GOtv Plus, consisting of the opening game, group stage and knockout stage games, both semi-finals and the final. Additionally, all packs will receive a dedicated fan and World Cup updates channel.
DStv Premium, Compact Plus and Compact
- All 64 matches live and in HD
- Full studio presentation and build ups to every game
- 24-hour World Cup channels
- Local language commentary
- DStv Catch Up – highlights of all 64 matches available for Explora and on the DStv app
DStv Family and Access
- 30 matches live and in HD, including opening match, semi-finals and final
- 24-hour World Cup channels
- Local language commentary
- DStv Catch Up – highlights for the corresponding matches available for Explora and on the DStv app
GOtv Supa
- All 64 matches live
- Full studio presentation and build ups to every game
- 24-hour World Cup channels
- Local language commentary
GOtv Max and Plus
- 30 matches live, including opening match, semi-finals and final
- 24-hour World Cup channels
- Local language commentary
GOtv Value and Lite
- 24-hour rolling news and fan reaction coverage
SuperSport Maximo channels for Angola and Mozambique
- DStv Grande, Grande Mais and Bue
- All 64 matches live and in HD
- Full studio presentation and build ups to every game
- 24-hour World Cup channels, with live games, news and fan reaction
- Portuguese language commentary
- DStv Catch Up – highlights of all 64 matches available for Explora and on the DStv app
Lower packages in Angola and Mozambique
- 30 matches live and in HD, including opening match, semi-finals and final
- 24-hour World Cup channels, with live games, news and fan reaction
- Portuguese language commentary
- DStv Catch Up – highlights for the corresponding matches available for Explora and on the DStv app
DStv App (all markets)
Don’t miss a moment. Watch the World Cup wherever you are using the DStv streaming App. The games and highlights available will be dependent on the subscription package as detailed above. Games will also be available in 4K definition, a first for Africa, depending on the Internet connection and device used.
Showmax Pro (all markets)
In addition to DStv and GOtv, Showmax Pro will bring viewers across the African continent all 64 games like they have never seen it before. Viewers will also be able to watch the best football in 4K resolution – a first for Africa’s homegrown streaming service.