Johannesburg-based TopTV has been trying to introduce ‘adult’ programming into its late-night schedule for a year or more. However, its conservative subscribers (and other interested parties) are objecting to the plans.

TopTV is applying for a transmission licence for 3 adult channels, and the process is currently before regulator ICASA. This past weekend saw a demonstration take place outside the Cape Town parliament building, and where lobby group The Family Policy Institute called upon citizens to boycott TopTV. Playboy, Private Spice and Desire are the three channels concerned.

Arguing the case for TopTV at Icasa’s office in Johannesburg, lawyer Steven Budlender said Icasa did not have the legal right to refuse the station permission to broadcast three adult channels from abroad. TopTV is basing its case on freedom of speech and media accessibility grounds.

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