Recap To The Month: MultiChoice Blocks Openview And StarSat From Viewing Rugby And Cricket

During the month, eMedia Investments' took legal action against MultiChoice for blocking them from broadcasting the Rugby World Cup on Openview accusing them of being anti-competitive. MultiChoice lodged a counterclaim accusing them of free-riding.

Had the SABC not looked into licencing these matches it would have been exclusive to DStv Premium. If eMedia had won the case, they'd be required by MultiChoice to licence these matches or better yet assist the public broadcaster in obtaining them.

SABC has been going financial constraints that they relied on sponsors to get these matches. MultiChoice aware of their situation had looked to ease the burden by charging SABC less money which came at the price of restricting consumers outside DStv from viewing them.

Similar to eMedia Investments, even StarSat couldn't licenced rights to any matches from SuperSport and don't seem to be taking legal action or trying to get the funds to broadcast these matches through a reply from a viewer.

MultiChoice view these platforms as competitors and as such restrict them from their content. Should eMedia Investments or StarSat not bother to negotiate with SuperSport to get these matches it would drive away consumers and lead them to rival platforms.

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