Kenyan football enthusiasts are set to experience an unprecedented era of access to top-tier European football. In a landmark development, TV47 has announced a significant simulcast partnership with Dubai-based SportyTV, bringing major European leagues directly to free-to-air television across Kenya.
This transformative deal, set to kick off with the 2024/25 season, will see matches from the highly popular Spain’s La Liga, Italy’s Serie A, and Germany’s Bundesliga become readily available to millions of Kenyan households. This is particularly impactful in a market where the cost of pay-TV subscriptions has traditionally been a barrier for the majority of the population.
The agreement addresses a long-standing challenge in Kenya’s media landscape, where premium sports content has predominantly been the exclusive domain of pay-TV platforms. A 2023 report by the Communications Authority highlighted this disparity, revealing that a mere 15% of Kenyan households subscribe to pay-TV services. This partnership ensures that the vast majority, who rely on free-to-air stations for their sports fix, will now have the opportunity to follow their favorite European clubs and players.
TV47, a prominent entity within the Cape Media stable which also includes Radio47, has been strategically bolstering its position as Kenya’s premier sports destination. The station’s recent acquisition of rights for the Kenyan Premier League and its successful coverage of the FIFA Club World Cup have underscored its robust sports broadcasting capabilities. With availability on multiple platforms including SIGNET, PANG, ZUKU, GoTV, DSTV, and StarTimes, TV47 boasts an impressive reach of an estimated 8 million viewers weekly, according to industry estimates.
SportyTV’s entry into the Kenyan market follows its successful launches and partnerships in other African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, where they also hold rights for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The broadcaster has rapidly built a reputation for its innovative approach to making premium sports content more accessible through collaborations with local free-to-air stations. Their decision to partner with TV47, a relatively young yet ambitious player in the Kenyan media scene, rather than more established broadcasters, signals a strong vote of confidence in the station’s significant growth potential.
Further enhancing the fan experience, Radio47 will complement the television coverage with live commentary and in-depth analysis. This is particularly valuable for fans who are mobile or reside in areas with limited television access, as the station’s nationwide FM network ensures reach even in remote parts of the country where digital television signals may struggle to penetrate.
This collaboration between TV47 and SportyTV marks a new chapter for football viewership in Kenya, promising unparalleled access to the excitement and drama of European football for a wider audience than ever before.
Written by Wayne Wafula
