A new agreement brings television to a free Premier League matches in 50 African countries

The league announced an agreement for the broadcast rights to free-to-air communication with Econet media, real estate magnate Strive Masiwiya Zimbabwe in 50 African countries through its new platform Kwese Sports Season licensed Coinciding 2016- 2017th

"Clubs in the Premier League have a passionate support from sub-Saharan Africa, and these rights are important for as many fans and take advantage of our competitive follow", President of the Premier League, Richard Scudamore said in a statement.

The deal is still prepared to start this year with the sport a coup Econet, television Kwese among the leading service offer.

"If you want to play in the area of media, it is important to gain as much live content as possible," CEO of Econet Joseph Hundah media said.

"We are here not to - we will operate all sports that are popular in Africa."

Econet Strive Masiwiya owner, the richest man in Zimbabwe that the agreement is maintained mentioned in a blog about new revelations to come.

"For competitive reasons, I'm not certain things in this stage show be able," he wrote.

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acquired Kwese has the rights to show the matches of the Copa del Rey in Spain and play cricket and rugby lovers of events, but the approval of the Premier League is a step further.

It is the most popular domestic competition in the most popular sport in the world in the world. The league has a television audience of more than 4 million dollars in 212 territories every season worth more than $ 7 billion a year ago.

Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the growth in the Premier League, with an estimated 276 million viewers each year the audience faster. English clubs such as Chelsea won huge fan bases across the continent, driven by African stars like Didier Drogba.

Strength in depth

Kwese is to implement broadcasting market facing a challenge in the competition.

TV broadcast rights fee in the region are currently occupied by the supplier of Supersport in South Africa, about $ 40 fee up to $ 100 per month for the entire bonus package.

"It was historically been a struggle to get much traction for free-to-air games," said Gary Rathbone, industry consultant and founder of Africa Sports News. "It's not really the best games, so people SuperSport deliver for them."

But Rathbone added that the acquisition of the Premier League Kwese could allow rights and other live sporting events and football to challenge the leaders in the futures market.

"Kwese make a mark and announces his intention to be a major player in the time to be," he said.

Robin Jellis, a specialist in TV markets in the sports business, the new player takes over for long-term planning.

"Econet lose money in your business in the Premier League, but it is a strategic move to build a partnership with the League before Kwese TV starts," he said.

Jellis added that Super is under increasing pressure from competitors such as Star Times Pay-TV operator China and Fox International Channels Rupert Murdoch property.

However, increased competition does not lead to cheaper packages for fans.

"Rightsholders sub-Saharan Africa is increasingly regarded as a market in which you want to increase the value of their rights", Jellis said. "This will only grow if Econet shows a strong appetite for high-end sports in the coming months."