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Where and how Africans can watch the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on television from January 13 to February 11
With just 10 days to the kickoff of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, a vast majority of the continent have been thrown into confusion as to how to follow the competition on television.
Africa's biggest cable service and sports broadcasting platform, Multichoice confirmed that DSTV will not cover AFCON 2023 as they have done for previous instalments of the tournament.
The reason for this unexpected turn of events is stated as Multichoice's "inability to secure rights," leading to uproar from Africans who rely on their service for AFCON coverage with many now pondering alternative sources to watch the tournament.
Why DSTV will not show AFCON 2023
The main only reason AFCON 2023 will not be on DSTV is because Mutichoice could not secure the rights as revealed in their statement.
That is because New World TV, a Togo-based broadcast company secured the exclusive rights to cover both AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast and 2025 in Morocco.
CAF put out a statement confirming this which revealed that they have "concluded a historic Media Rights Agreement with Pan-African broadcaster New World TV for CAF’s Free to Air and Pay-TV English and Local Languages Media Rights for Sub-Saharan territories for CAF Competitions and Events from 2023-2025."
CAF president Patrice Motsepe confirmed the deal with New World TV which left Multichoice out in the cold and confirmed that Africa's biggest football tournament will not be on DSTV for at least the next two editions.
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“The Media Rights Agreement with New World TV is the biggest investment by a Pan-African broadcaster in CAF’s history," the CAF president said.
Motsepe continued, "We are very proud to partner with such a globally competitive and innovative broadcasting company which has adapted quickly to the changing demands and viewing patterns of the modern football audience. New World TV is also introducing new ways of consuming video content through its strong partnerships with various mobile operators and its television networks.”
Where to watch AFCON 2023
So now that it is confirmed that DSTV will not be showing AFCON 2023, here are the solutions for pining Africans looking to follow their favourite teams from all around the continent.
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New World TV, the owners of the exclusive rights will sub-license other broadcasters to make it available on free-to-air stations in 46 African countries.
The broadcast plan for the tournament will be unique to each nation and made known in due time but what is clear is that the Africa Cup of Nations will be accessible to watch for most of the continent than ever before.
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