Photo Credit: SA20 League
Broadcaster to bring in more innovation and unprecedented viewing experience
With the Betway SA20 due to start at the backend of the festive period, SuperSport is going bigger and better for season 2, which gets underway at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on 10 January 2024.
Following a highly successful inaugural season, SuperSport and its partners are introducing numerous innovations in the second edition of the competition, aimed at providing television audiences and fans with unprecedented viewing experiences.
These innovative, exciting new elements include the Com Cam, giving viewers at home a fixed view of the commentary box, with big-name former international cricketers providing expert commentary and analysis.
Merging the match-day and on-screen experiences are features such as the Dug Out, which is a boundary-level camera that connects directly with the players and coaches close to the boundary ropes and the iconic Couch, where commentators, fans and celebrities engage while enjoying the cricket.
SuperSport aims to transcend the matchday experience into the home to make the millions of viewers as much a part of the action as the thousands cheering for their franchises in the stands.
Match Official technology will provide viewers with the experience of hearing direct communication between Umpires during the live broadcast of matches – another first of its kind for Betway SA20. Fans will not only hear the third umpire but communication between the on-field umpires, too.
SuperSport CEO, Rendani Ramovha, expressed his delight that the stadium spectators and the viewers will be able to share experiences like never before.
“Building on the success of Season 1, SuperSport is stepping up our game to bring viewers the experience to match the Betway SA20 action. From technological innovation to unique fan experiences, SuperSport is invested in ensuring that, whether you’re watching on DStv Stream or Premium, the experience is as enthralling as being at the venue,” said Ramovha.
“The fans in the stadiums will also be closer to the television production beamed around the globe. With the addition of Quidich technology and other spectacular innovations, SuperSport will provide live on-field player tracking, a gamified player-naming look and feel as well as the revolutionary BuggyQam, which is a roving camera on wheels that puts the viewers right in the middle of the cricketing action.
“It really is poised to be a summer filled with cricket experiences to savour.”
The flagship of South African wildlife, the Big 5, will also form part of the experience that makes the League a unique global product. Animations of the iconic Big 5 will provide fun illustrations of dismissals, fours and sixes, adding to the viewer experience.
Betway SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith said: “Betway SA20 and SuperSport have put in a lot of effort behind the scenes to bring an elevated and engaging viewing experience for Season 2.
“Innovation is at the heart of what we do, and together with SuperSport, we want to raise the bar in the way we watch cricket but also create a platform for fans to engage, connect, and experience the game in a whole new way. So, whether you’re watching from the comfort of your home or cheering in the stadium, we want to make it an incredible experience.”
SuperSport will have match commentary in three official South African languages: English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa.
*Issued on behalf of SuperSport
Name of Author: SA20 League
SA20, officially known as the Betway SA20 for sponsorship reasons, is a Twenty20 franchise cricket tournament in South Africa organized by Cricket South Africa (CSA). First held in the 2023 season, the league features six city-based teams. Sunrisers Eastern Cape won the first two editions of the tournament.
