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THE Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation have struck a landmark deal with Econet Media and Kwese Free Sports to broadcast some English Premiership games live on ZTV and live and delayed action from the Rio Olympic Games.
The parties announced the deal in a statement released to The Herald.
“From the 12th of August, 2016, Econet Media and Kwesé Free Sports is bringing to Zimbabwe Live Rio 2016 Olympics on ZBC TV from 10pm every evening up to 4:30am,” the statement said.
“Olympics highlights from the previous day will be aired mid-afternoon of the following day. This will be more than six hours of action packed sports drama.
“On the 21st of August, Kwesé Sports will bring live the Olympics closing ceremony.
“In addition, from 13th of August, English Premier League will be broadcast live on ZBC TV for FREE. Kick-off will be at 16:00hrs every Saturday.
Look up for the following matches — Everton v Tottenham (Saturday 13th August, 2016); Burnley v Liverpool (Saturday 20th August, 2016); Leicester v Swansea (Saturday 27th August, 2016); Arsenal v Southampton (Saturday 10th September, 2016); Manchester City v Bournemouth (Saturday 17th September 2016).
“More exciting matches will be shared.”
The Rio Olympics have also been added to the ZTV programming schedule.
“ZBC and Econet Media have successfully concluded a deal for FTA (Free-To-Air) broadcast rights for the Rio Olympics 2016 in Zimbabwe,” a statement read.
“The ZBC will receive, through Econet Media’s free-to-air channel, Kwesé Free Sports, the sub-licence to exclusively broadcast up to six hours of Olympics content on ZBC TV.
“Through this partnership, many viewers in Zimbabwe will be able to experience live Olympic coverage as ZBC TV brings the prestigious global games to Zimbabwean homes across the country for free.
From 10pm everyday fans can look forward to watching Olympic action live on ZBC TV.
“For those who don’t have the appetite to stay up to watch the competition live, highlights will be aired every mid-morning.”
ZBC acting chief executive, Patrick Mavhura, said: “Certainly, this represents a significant achievement for us at ZBC. Thanks to Kwesé we are the only broadcaster with the rights to screen the Rio Olympics live across the country for free.”
The two parties said this represents the beginning of a partnership that could significantly benefit local sports fans.
“This is the first and certainly, not the last of the many synergies between ZBC and Kwesé which will strive to live up to the vision of bringing the very best in international and local premium sports content to viewers in Zimbabwe.
“ZBC and Kwesé are pleased to have partnered to bring Zimbabwean fans access to the Rio Olympics.
“ZBC’s reach thus means that more Zimbabweans than ever before will be able to watch the global Olympic Games live for free.”
Online Reporter