- Deal already done in principal
- BTV willing to let the rights go
- Alpha Cam confirm interest in BPL TV rights
LETLHOGILE MPUANG
South African film production company Alpha Cam are believed to be on the verge of taking over Botswana Premier League (BPL) broadcasting rights from state owned Botswana Television (BTV). Gazette Sport has established. This development follows last week’s launch between the Botswana Football Association (BFA) and Baboneng Film Productions.
The deal will see the local company broadcast Debswana First Division (North and South) games for the next five years at a tune of P9 million. The games will be on DSTV’S Maru TV Sports as well as NOW TV. Furthermore, matches will be aired live on radio via Duma FM.
Baboneng Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kesebonye Seabelo told the gathering that he has partnered with South African company Alpha Cam SA and they have registered a local film company that will be trading as Alpha Cam Botswana, which will be responsible for broadcasting the NFD games.
Greg Nefdt (Alpha Cam SA) Managing Director also confirmed the joint venture and also revealed that they (Alpha Cam SA) will be leading the production process as well as provide all necessary ‘world standard’ equipment. Nefdt further divulged that they have struck a deal with BTV that will see them broadcast 90 Premier League matches.
This publication has however learned that it is only a matter of time before Alpha Cam Botswana is given the rights to broadcast the elite league. Gazette Sport can state on good authority that Alpha Cam SA MD, Nefdt has over the years shown significant interest in getting the rights to broadcast BPL matches, but has never tabled a proposition to either the BPL or BFA.
In an interview with this publication at the launch Seabelo could not hide their interest in clinching the BPL broadcasting rights. “Honestly, yes we are interested, we believe that we can relieve BTV of the heavy burden that they already have with too many programmes. We believe we can take our football to the next level and with top quality production of our games, and that is what we intend to do first with the National First Division,” he told Gazette Sport.
“As revealed earlier, we will also assist BTV broadcast 90 BPL matches next season, and we will be having our trial with the BPL Charity Cup in August,” he ended. Gazette Sport also understands that BTV are not that keen on renewing their deal with BPL which is due to expire in the next two years.
This publication have learnt that a deal has been agreed in principal between BPL and Alpha Cam regarding broadcast rights. The deal will see Alpha Cam own the rights and sell the feed to BTV and other interested TV channels. BPL CEO Thabo Ntshinogang was not available for comment as he was said to be attending a FIFA meeting in Russia.