CAF, StarTimes announce CHAN broadcast deal

The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) and the digital television operator StarTimes on Monday announced the signing of an agreement which will allow the Chinese pay-television channel to broadcast the Total African Nations Championship (CHAN) matches, currently ongoing in Cameroon.

The competition begun on Saturday and will run through to 7 February 2021 in Cameroon.

“Under this agreement, the operating license issued by CAF grants StarTimes the right to broadcast all the competition’s matches (a total of 32 matches) in the territories of sub-Saharan Africa,” the broadcaster said in a statement.

“The collaboration between CAF and StarTimes is the first of its kind between the two entities, with the ambition of offering African football fans wider access to one of CAF’s most important competitions. The agreement reinforces CAF’s ambition to facilitate access for the largest number of football fans in Africa to images of its top competitions.”

Constant Omari, CAF Interim President said “We are delighted with this alliance with StarTimes, an internationally recognized group in the field of football broadcasting which enhances one of our most beautiful events, and brings together more and more public. Through this new partnership with a key player, we are expanding the audience of Total CHAN to make it an essential destination for football fans in Africa.”

Lily Meng, General Manager of StarTimes Media Division, added:  “StarTimes is committed to promoting African football. This partnership with CAF marks a milestone for us. Working together with CAF to broadcast Total CHAN, StarTimes is now able to bring football fans throughout the continent closer to their favourite teams and players.”

The Total African Nations Championship is a tournament designed exclusively for footballers playing in their domestic leagues. The competition brings together 16 teams divided into four groups of four each.