MultiChoice Africa, parent company of satellite pay television DStv, has announced ESPN and ESPN Classic will be withdrawn from broadcasting at the end of the month.
In a statement, the company said: “MultiChoice would like to notify its DStv subscribers that it has received notification from ESPN that it intends to close the ESPN and ESPN Classic Television Channels in Africa on Wednesday, 31 July.
“This appears to be a business decision by ESPN affecting all its channels in Africa; Europe and Middle East.”
This will be a big concern to sports lovers in Africa, especially NBA basketball fans, followers of the PGA tour and the NFL which the station broadcasts exclusively.
DStv subscribers and sport lovers took to Twitter to express their concerns:
ESPN to close channels in Africa http://t.co/daKyW1oJTK – Please don’t do it. NBA, Sportscenter… *wails*
— Philip Mwaniki (@Mwanikih) July 15, 2013
Can’t believe no more @espn channel in Africa Asia or Middle East end July/Aug? Damage to global interest of @NBA @nfl @MLB @NCAA @PGATOUR
— Tobie Badenhorst (@TobieBadenhorst) July 16, 2013
