Francophone African Broadcasters Protest “Unjust” TV rights for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
A collective of Francophone African public broadcasters has denounced the allocation of broadcasting rights for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as “blatantly unjust.” The dispute centers on a Confederation of African Football (CAF) proposal that would limit Francophone channels to broadcasting only 33 of the tournament’s 52 matches.
In a letter to CAF President Patrice Motsepe, broadcasters including RTS, RTI, CRTV, and ORTM argued this decision breaks from the historic practice of providing full, free-to-air coverage of the continental tournament.
They emphasized that this model has been vital for ensuring the event remains accessible to all Africans as a moment of shared pride and unity.
The broadcasters highlighted a concerning disparity: while their access is restricted, Anglophone and Lusophone public channels, along with a non-African pay-TV operator, are reportedly being offered rights to all 52 matches.
This has raised allegations that CAF is prioritizing a dominant pay-TV operator, implicitly understood to be the Canal+/MultiChoice group, over public interest.
The group warns this move would effectively privatize access to the premier football event of Africa, excluding lower-income populations and undermining already financially strained public broadcasters.
They are calling on CAF to ensure an “equitable and truly popular” broadcast model by restoring full, free access to all matches for the 2025 tournament in Morocco.
