If it moves, SuperSport will be there for every angle of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro with no fewer than seven 24-hour channels being broadcast.
With 306 medal sets available, SuperSport will broadcast live every gold-medal event, ensuring unprecedented coverage of the sport spectacle that begins on August 5. There will be more than 2500 hours of the Olympics broadcast over 15 days.
The four channels used for the 2012 London Olympics – SS4, SS5, SS6, SS7 – plus three additional channels – SS12, SS13 and SS14 – will be dedicated to the Rio Games, while other channels like SS1 and SS3 will, where available, carry overflow content, chiefly Sevens rugby, golf and soccer.
SS12 will be a dedicated 24-hour Olympic news channel which will be produced by the International Olympic Committee.
SuperSport will also have roving reporters in Rio with Crystal Arnold, Carol Tshabalala, James Wokabi and Rui de Oliveira (Portuguese) reporting directly from various venues and the team village. Former Olympic champion Ryk Neethling will be poolside providing insights on the exploits of Chad Le Clos, Michael Phelps, Cameron van der Burgh, Kirsty Coventry and others.
In addition, the Blitz channel will broadcast regular updates and direct viewers to the big events of the day.
Eighty staff will be involved in producing the live broadcasts out of SuperSport HQ in Johannesburg with another 20 involved in production at the International Broadcast Centre in Rio.
Multiple live feeds will be made available to SuperSport, which will then “cherry pick” the best content, much of it with a Pan-African leaning, for the Olympic channels.
Given that many of the major events will take place in the very early mornings – SA is five hours ahead of Brazil – video-on-demand will be a major component of SuperSport’s Olympic coverage. Extensive event highlights will be available via the DStv Catch Up service, which will include every gold medal-winning performance.
Highlights packages will also be broadcast throughout the day, ensuring viewers don’t miss any major action.
Every possible viewing platform will be accommodated, including live streaming via www.supersport.com and the SuperSport and DStv Now apps, as well as social platforms and DStv Catch Up.
OLYMPIC SPORT CHANNELS
SS4 Opening ceremony, swimming, athletics, marathon, walk, closing ceremony.
SS5 Hockey, handball, volleyball (beach and indoors), gymnastics, trampoline.
SS6 Tennis, basketball, four cycling disciplines, table tennis, badminton.
SS7 Boxing, weight lifting, judo.
SS12 Olympic News Channel.
SS13 Watersport: rowing, diving, etc.
SS14 Fencing, modern pentathlon, equestrian.
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SS12, SS13 and SS14 (channels 212, 213 and 214) will be available in all territories.
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SS1 Golf, Sevens rugby (when not clashing with live non-Olympic sport).
SS3 Football (when not clashing with live non-Olympic sport).
The above is a guide and subject to change.
* SuperSport will also broadcast the Paralympic Games from September 7-18. There will be two dedicated 24-hour channels: SS13 and SS14.
Swimming news courtesy of SuperSport.