South African owners of Hisense smart TVs have gained access to a dedicated 24/7 free-to-air sports channel, SportsCast Africa, integrated directly into the manufacturer’s proprietary VIDAA operating system. Available natively via the platform’s TV Channels feature, the service provides continuous sports coverage without requiring a paid subscription, user registration, or additional app downloads.
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Operated by Johannesburg-based media and telecommunications firm Broadsmart, SportsCast Africa delivers a daily schedule of continental and global sports news, analysis, highlights, and live events. The channel covers a wide array of disciplines, including football, rugby, motorsport, basketball, and tennis. Its regular broadcast lineup includes dedicated daily shows such as Football Daily, Soccer Highlights, SportsWrap, Pole Position, and Slam Dunk.
Broadsmart Managing Director Yokow Quansah highlighted that the platform is working closely with international content providers to expand its round-the-clock sports offering across the region. “Our promise is simple: great sport, whenever and wherever you want it, free and with nothing to install,” Quansah stated, describing the native launch as a meaningful step toward building a genuinely free sports ecosystem for African audiences.
Luna Nortje, Deputy General Manager at Hisense South Africa, noted that the native launch allows local consumers to access high-quality sports content at zero additional cost. Given that Hisense devices already represent the majority of SportsCast Africa’s connected-TV viewership, direct OS integration was a logical progression for the brand.
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The addition of SportsCast Africa highlights the expanding role of Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) services in South Africa, where consumer appetite for contract-free sports broadcasting continues to surge. This market demand was strongly illustrated by state broadcaster SABC+, which surpassed three million registered users following massive engagement during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. During the tournament’s opening match between South Africa and Mexico, SABC+ recorded over 2.4 million total viewers and a record peak of 477,000 simultaneous streams.
By delivering free-to-air sports directly through the VIDAA home screen, Hisense strengthens its value proposition for local households seeking cost-effective alternatives to traditional pay-TV packages.
