CSA are close to kicking off their T20 League by the end of the year

After months of uncertainty, Cricket South Africa (CSA) have launched what they are calling the "2018 T20 Cricket League" in a joint exclusive partnership with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) having exclusive official broadcast rights for the Sub-Saharan region. The deal, covered by an MoU, has been made for the next three years.

"This is a landmark moment for cricket in South Africa," CSA Chief Executive Thabang Moroe said. "For the first time South Africa's premier public broadcaster will have exclusive rights to a major cricket event and this is very much in line with CSA's vision of making cricket a truly national sport of excellence that is accessible to all."

The move comes after CSA's relationship with former equity partner, SuperSport, turned frosty last month, and gives some respite for Moroe, who was formally appointed to his post in July this year, ten months after Haroon Lorgat stepped down.

SABC, the national broadcaster, recently started televising the English Premier League through a sub-licensing agreement and have ambitions to chip away at what they perceive to be SuperSport's local monopoly on broadcast rights.

"The new 2018 T20 Cricket League is a high-profile Sport event that will assist the SABC to regain its credibility," the Group Chief Executive Officer of the SABC, Madoda Maxakwe, said. "Partnering with Cricket South Africa to deliver on an event of this magnitude provides the perfect opportunity for CSA & SABC to cater to the needs of the traditional and non-traditional Cricket audience and fans.

"The SABC treasures the good relationship that we have with CSA, which enables the two parties to enter into this groundbreaking partnership. It is a perfect deal, as it fits into the SABC's business strategy of increasing audiences and revenue, delivering compelling and entertaining content and diversifying revenue streams. The deal is, therefore, one that is mutually beneficial both to the SABC and CSA."

The T20 Cricket League will be played between the months of November and December this year.