Nigerian’s NTA Secures Rights to Air AFCON 2023/2024

The News:

• The Africa’s largest television broadcaster, NTA, has secured rights to Air AFCON 2023 edition.
• The financial terms of the deal between NTA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have not been disclosed.
• NTA plans to broadcast the AFCON matches on its main channel as well as its sports channel, NTA Sports Extra.
• The broadcaster will also provide live streaming of the matches on its website and mobile app.
• NTA has partnered with several local sponsors to support its AFCON coverage. The broadcasting company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Afro Sports.

The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has secured the exclusive rights to broadcast all 52 matches of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament that will begin from January 13th to February 11, 2024 in Ivory Coast.

This marks a major victory for the national broadcaster, bringing the continent’s premier sporting event to millions of viewers across the country.

The announcement was made on Wednesday, January 10th, 2024 on NTA X, formerly Twitter’s profile, and comes as a welcome relief for many Nigerians who were concerned about missing out on the action.

Pay-TV giants like MultiChoice, which previously held the rights, were reportedly outbid by NTA in a competitive race for the broadcasting contract. More so, StarTime increases it subscription price by 15% ahead of AFCON.

Free-to-Air Access for All Nigerians

The most significant aspect of NTA’s acquisition of the AFCON rights is that it guarantees free-to-air access for all Nigerians. This means that even those who do not subscribe to cable or satellite TV can tune in and watch their favorite teams compete on the biggest stage in African football.

“We are thrilled to bring the AFCON to every Nigerian home,” said a jubilant NTA spokesperson. “This is a national event, and we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to watch and support our Super Eagles and the other African teams.”

Boost for Local Viewership and National Pride

NTA’s exclusive coverage of the AFCON is expected to boost viewership significantly. The previous tournament in 2022 saw millions of Nigerians tune in to watch the Super Eagles, and the excitement is likely to be even greater this year with the team playing on home soil.

Furthermore, having a free-to-air platform showcasing the tournament is likely to fuel national pride and unity as Nigerians come together to cheer on their teams. The AFCON is a time for celebration and cultural exchange, and NTA’s role in bringing the continent together is commendable.

However, while NTA’s acquisition of the AFCON rights is undoubtedly positive news for Nigerian viewers, there are also some challenges to consider. The broadcaster will need to ensure that it has the technical capacity to broadcast all 52 matches smoothly, especially in remote areas where signal strength can be an issue.

Additionally, NTA will face competition from online platforms and social media, where fans are increasingly consuming sports content. However, the broadcaster’s long history and established reputation in Nigeria give it a significant advantage.

NTA is the largest Television Network in Africa. In Nigeria, according to BD report, the broadcasting company “achieves an audience reach of 32 percent in terms of weekly usage.”

Overall, NTA’s securing of the AFCON rights is a major coup for the national broadcaster and a boon for Nigerian football fans. The free-to-air coverage promises to bring the excitement of the tournament to millions of Nigerians and hopefully inspire a new generation of football enthusiasts.