South Africa to examine wholesale TV rules
June 3, 2013
By Chris Forrester
South Africa’s Minister of Communications Mrs Dina Pule is to refer the question of access to premium TV content to the ICASA regulator.
The investigation could affect how MultiChoice/DStv charges – and what access it must provide – for its premium content. A recent formal complaint was made by On Digital Media (which trades as TopTV) alleging anti-competitive behaviour by MultiChoice in how it handled a request by TopTV to carry MultiChoice’s flagship SuperSports channels.
ICASA’s current regulations say certain sports carried by SuperSports may be broadcast exclusively. However, local press reports on Sunday suggest that the actual regulation is worded ambiguously.