SuperSport to break the barriers for 2010
“FIFA has promised that this will be the most extensive, most technologically advanced broadcast in World Cup history,” said Tex Teixeira, head of production for SuperSport. “This is the closest the television viewer will be to the World Cup. Picture clarity, the number of cameras, replays, graphics and super-slomos will be better than ever before.”
Teixeira was commenting on the broadcast plans announced yesterday, Wednesday, 20 January 2010, when the station revealed that it would have at least four customised World Cup channels, one of which would be High Definition (HD), with three of them broadcasting 24 hours daily. In addition, there will be four unique daily magazine shows - Chase the Makarapa; Woza Lunchtime; Supernova and Harambee.
SuperSport, as with all World Cup broadcasters, will receive the live feed from HBS, Swiss-based host broadcaster of the tournament.
More cameras, more action, more background
Whereas matches in the 2006 World Cup used 26 TV cameras, this will be increased to 29 per match, with three more to be used for selected matches. These include, for the first time, an aerial camera and an ultra motion camera that produces between 300 and 1000 frames per second in HD, allowing for the capture of 20-40 times more frames compared to a standard camera and can provide stunning images of action and emotion.
To complement its coverage, it has also commissioned a multi-purpose HD studio set; again, reputedly the biggest in its history and in keeping with the World Cup's status.
As exclusive pay-TV rights holders for Africa (where 10-million+ viewers have access to DStv), the station will have full rights to FIFA's content library, which will offer 100+ hours of daily content. FIFA's unfettered access to all 32 teams means that much behind-the-scenes action, restricted to other media, will be broadcast on SuperSport. The crews will travel throughout South Africa to shoot and gather footage from every team.
Hosts
SuperSport has a number of big-name hosts lined up, among them England's John Barnes and Daniel Amokachi of Nigeria, with more stars to be announced. Charles Anazodo of Nigeria will join regular anchors Robert Marawa, Thomas Mlambo, Neil Andrews, Gary Bailey and Thomas Kwenaite. Elana Afrika, Bobby Skinstad, Michelle McLean and Nonhle Thema will host the four magazine shows, among others. All matches will offer at least three language options, including English, Portuguese and Zulu.
