WWE and SuperSport, Africa’s premier sport channels provider, today announced a new multi-year agreement to broadcast WWE programming live for the first time in more than 50 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Starting August 28, DStv customers will have access to the world’s biggest wrestling entertainment when SuperSport airs WWE’s flagship shows Raw® and SmackDown® as well as WWE specials, including WrestleMania® and SummerSlam®.
WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organisation and recognised leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming reaches more than 650 million homes worldwide in 20 languages. WWE Network, the first-ever 24/7 over-the-top premium network that includes all live pay-per-views, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library, is currently available in more than 180 countries. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai, Munich and Tokyo.
“WWE is a global phenomenon, so securing the broadcast rights for SuperSport is a terrific coup,” said Gideon Khobane, chief executive of SuperSport. “The athletes involved are larger than life figures who command huge followings. At long last our DStv viewers will get to share in this entertainment spectacle in high definition. I look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with WWE.”
“SuperSport is a best-in-class partner who shares our vision and passion for engaging with and entertaining our fans,” said Ed Wells, WWE Executive Vice President, International. “Televising WWE programming live in sub-Saharan Africa for the first time an important milestone for us, and we look forward to working with SuperSport to cultivate new fans in the region.”
DStv Premium, Compact+ and Compact customers will enjoy their wrestling drama live while DStv Family and Access will also enjoy same-day rebroadcast of the events which will be available on SuperSport channels S7, S9 and SS10. Viewers can look forward to Raw on Tuesdays and SmackDown on Wednesdays offering both live telecasts and same-day re-airs, as well as all WWE specials live, including WrestleMania®, SummerSlam®, Survivor Series® and Royal Rumble®. GOtv viewers will have access to the wrestling action on Select 3, available to GOtv Plus customers.
“We’re delighted to bring our DStv customers yet another sport that’s going to keep them glued to their TV and mobile screens. This addition to our sports offering will certainly bring more value for our customers and ensure that SuperSport remains their go-to World of Champion and home to the world’s biggest sports. This is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that our platforms deliver only the best entertainment to our customers,” says Lovemore Mangwende, Chief Executive Officer for MultiChoice Zimbabwe
All programs will be available with English commentary and on demand. To celebrate the new partnership, SuperSport will televise the prior week’s episodes of Raw and SmackDown on Monday August 28.
SuperSport is Africa’s premier sports broadcaster, producing and broadcasting local and international sport for MultiChoice’s and DStv customers across sub-Saharan Africa.
SuperSport provides a mix of 35 channels, offering a wide selection of the best local and international sport action across a multitude of disciplines. Now available on DStv as well as on SuperSport.com and DStv Now in over 50 countries across sub-Saharan Africa.