SuperSport completes US set with NHL deal

African SuperSport TV channels have agreed a deal with Medge Consulting and their partner group Advisers Media International (AMI) that will give them the right to broadcast the National Hockey League (NHL).

This agreement completes something of a coup for Supersport as they now hold the South African broadcast rights to all major American sports. They already held the rights to the National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Soccer (MLS), Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Football League (NFL).

The latest agreement permits them to broadcast up to four live NHL matches per week during the regular season. They may also air twelve round one and two Stanley Cup Playoff matches, all of round three, the Cup final and the All-Star games.

In-keeping with their multi-platform policy, SuperSport have the rights to simultaneously broadcast the footage on mobile and online.

AMI managing director Robert Pickles was pleased to confirm the deal. He said: “We are very pleased to add SuperSport to our ever increasing list of broadcasters across EMEA and look forward to a long and successful relationship.”

“This truly is a game-changer,” SuperSport’s head of acquisitions and legal Brandon Foot added. “The game is fast and dynamic, which is perfect for High Definition viewing. Our audience has a hearty appetite for contact sport and I’m confident NHL will soon command a loyal following.”

David Proper, the NHL’s executive vice president of media distribution and strategy, also commented: “We anticipate that sports fans in South Africa will continue to enjoy and follow our sport as we embark on an unprecedented season, with six big event outdoor games in the span of 61 days, followed by the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Stanley Cup Final.”

SuperSport’s NHL coverage began on 6th October with the Detroit Red Wings vs Boston Bruins.