SuperSport have announced the cancellation of the popular SuperCycling television show, reportedly due to lack of a sponsor.
The announcement came after the MultiChoice owned group said they were unable to continue to fund the show, which costs roughly R3-million per year to produce.
The show, which has been running for 16 years, aired its final episode on March 29.
Audio: Andrew Mclean talks about cancellation of SuperCycling
The popular SuperCycling show aired its final episode on March 29 having failed to secure a sponsor.
“We are busy talking to a number of companies and if we find someone willing to sponsor the show then the plan is for SuperCycling to resume immediately,” said cycling icon Andrew Mclean, who co-hosted the event with Owen Hannie and Gerald de Kock.
Mclean said the challenge of finding a sponsor was one the show had been facing for some time.
He acknowledged the economic environment and said the overriding negative sentiment in the country meant that companies were reluctant to spend money.
“The economic climate now is very different to what it was all those years ago.
“Television is no longer the only platform on which brands can get publicity and many companies are wary of spending money. Everyone wants bang for their buck.
“I think both the economic and political negativity are against us finding sponsorship at the moment.”
Mclean initiated the show when he approached SuperSport with the idea.
“I approached SuperSport 16 years ago and said that we needed a cycling show, to which they responded very similarly to today.
“They requested that first I find a sponsor, and only then would they consider the idea.
“At that point I managed to get three sponsors – Pick n Pay, Liberty and Bar One – on board and that was how it all started.”
“Having founded the show I’m obviously disappointed, however, I certainly don’t think this is the end of cycling on TV,” said Mclean.
“I’d like to think that cycling will continue to boom and get exposure on TV as well as all the other media platforms that are available to us.”
