SA feels (the) heat as SABC reveals cricket world cup broadcasting plans

The ICC Cricket World Cup take places Saturday 19 February to Saturday 2 April in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The SABC said it will carry 32 out of 49 matches, including all SA games live on SABC3 and SABC2, and 37 on Radio 2000.

As a result, programmes such as Isidingo, Stripped and Top Billing will be moved to the 7.30pm, 9.30pm and 8pm slots, respectively while Special Assignment will be shown on Monday instead of Tuesday, SABC's Lefa Afrika said. "As for Oprah, a programme we cannot let go off because it is a season finale, it will be shown at 9.30pm," Afrika added.

While prime time entertainment programme remains largely unchanged, Friday entertainment and variety block will kick off at 8.30pm, according to Afrika.

Anchors and commentators

The corporation also unveiled the names of radio and TV anchors and commentators who will entertain and update viewers on the ball-by-ball actions during the competition.

• Radio talent includes Aslam Khota and Mluleki Ntsabo (anchors), Natalie Germanos, Hussein Mannak, Craig Marias and Neil Johnson (analysts), and Andrew Sampson and Julia Scully (scorers).
  
• David O'Sullivan is the TV anchor, while Lance Klusener, Victor Mpitsang, Ray Jennings, Mannak and Johnson will do TV analysis.

Radio 2000 will be the supporting radio station providing all the ball-by-ball actions in English, while other radio stations will have highlights packages of the competition on their broadcasting languages, Kganyago pointed out.

The highlights will be followed on the following radio stations: Phalaphala FM, Munghana Lonene FM, Motsweding FM, Tru FM, RSG, Ligwalagwala FM, Ikwekwezi FM, Umhlobo Wenene FM, Ukhozi FM, Lesedi FM, SAfm, Thobela FM and Lotus FM.

"We are the only broadcaster in this country capable of reaching 24 million people every day, and we will deliver in all languages - no matter what it takes. Please don't compare us to anybody [else]," Kganyago bragged, perhaps throwing a 'killer punch' to rivals e.tv, DStv and TopTV.

Only two matches will be broadcast on SABC2, and the rest on SABC3. Support content includes profiles of participating countries, players, teams and documentaries. The SABC TV production aspects include world feed, 26 cameras coverage including Hawkeye, spider camera and magic arm in dressing rooms.

Feel the Heat campaign

The SABC also launched its 'Feel the Heat' campaign, which it said is aimed at maintaining the spirit of last year's soccer world cup, and serves to rally the country's support behind the Proteas during the 2011 Cricket World Cup.

The corporation said 'Feel the Heat' is inspired by the vibrancy of the Indian culture - its rich colours and variety of spices. SA has also recently celebrated 150 years of Indian arrival in the country.

"Cricket is now termed as the 'national sport' of India, and has an old history associated with its existence in the country. Therefore, this campaign line also invokes images of the scorching summers in which cricket is played in South Africa," Kganyago emphasised.