Cost-cutting at MultiChoice puts Afrikaans commentary at risk

Cost-cutting at MultiChoice have led to questions about the future of Afrikaans commentary.

Thinus Ferreira, an independent TV and entertainment critic, explained that MultiChoice owners, Canal+, are on a three-year aggressive cost-cutting exercise.

And while they cannot fire employees, they can make decisions about content divisions, which may lead to the axing of Afrikaans commentary across sport and other content.

He said that commentators, who are independent contractors, have been informed that Afrikaans commentary may no longer be available for certain series and sports.

"One person told me that teams have been informed that with certain series, especially with cricket, Canal+ will no longer make Afrikaans commentary available."

But the impact of cost-cutting measures goes beyond sports commentary, as Afrikaans programming on M-Net and Showmax may also be affected.

Ferreira argued that Canal+ may be underestimating the importance of Afrikaans content.

"I think they might also come to an understanding that they may have underestimated South Africans and how strongly people feel about language and their content.”

To listen to Ferreira in conversation with 702’s Gugs Mhlungu, use the audio player below: