Effectively Immediately: Russia Today Is No Longer Available On StarSat And StarTimes Across Africa

StarSat:
- FilmBox Action and Kartoon Channel launch
- The Smithsonian Channel closing down in the UK
- Delayed SABC channel launch on StarSat explained
- Russia Today to launch South African hub

RT, the Russian state-owned news channel formerly known as Russia Today, was removed from the DStv platform in 2022. But the decision was out of the pay-television broadcaster's hands as sanctions in Europe prohibited the distribution of the channel.

The channel returned to South Africa by May of last year on rival platform StarSat after the pay-tv operator got permission from ICASA to broadcast the channel with Russia Today at the time made viewable SES S.A.'s SES-5 satellite transponder which is similar to Intelsat.

Within that year, Russia Today was eyeing a potential African expansion after setting up headquarters on the continent in South Africa where the Kremlin-funded TV channel is carried and supported by China.

Paula Slier, the South African TV reporter who previously worked for SABC News and who was posted in Jerusalem, Israel, as RT's correspondent for that region, was overseeing the set-up of RT's African headquarters in South Africa and will be managing the bureau.

After almost a year of broadcast, StarSat issued out a statement to viewers that the European Union had terminated the feed of Russia Today on channel 260 but on the bright side the channel is still viewable on the StarTimes app for the time being.

Russia Today becomes the first channel to exit the platform in 2023 joining Boomerang and Glow TV as those also exiting their respective platforms DStv and StarSat before the end of the current financial year.

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Could Russia Today's Remains Finally Be On The Chopping Block On DStv?

In March, Russia Today unexpectedly went dark on the DStv platform following some pending issues regarding the Ukraine war and since then MultiChoice allocated a message giving viewers a reason for its sudden dismissal.

Of course for those who still want to get in on the action, Russia Today is available on StarSat as the pay-tv competitor did get clearance from the higher ups. On top of packaging the channel, Russia Today has allocated some offices within the region.

Not sure what that has to do with DStv just thought viewers should know.

Anyways, for several months Russia Today has been offline I mean there hasn't been clarity to why the physical component still resides. Some would think the pay-tv platform still has an agreement but from what I understand it could dissolve once a company fails to deliver.

Then I also remember MultiChoice wasn't planning on terminating RT after a petition was released but the feed seen in Africa was cutoff regardless of that soft copy so it's possible that just like several other consumers even they were hoping the feed would be reinstated.

For those who browsed RT, may have seen a message briefing everyone in with regards to the termination now it's gone with the EPG updated to Russia Today and a black screen to those hoping to see that message again or view it for the first time.

I know there's plenty of people who don't browse that section quite often and cases like these would get anyone off their feet. Which just leads me to wonder is it possible that MultiChoice is finally ready to retire the space or could there be more to the story

The year is almost up and there hasn't been much signs to RT being reinstated and it makes all the more sense if they moved on and rely on existing news channels BBC World News, Sky News, Aljazeera and CNN to keen viewers on their feet.

Russia's RT Channel To Launch South African Hub

Russia's RT channel has embarked on expansion plans in Africa, starting to set up headquarters on the continent in South Africa where the Kremlin-funded TV channel is carried and supported by China.

Paula Slier, the South African TV reporter who previously worked for SABC News and who was posted in Jerusalem, Israel, as RT's correspondent for that region, is now overseeing the set-up of RT's African headquarters in South Africa and will be managing the bureau.

On Monday an RT spokesperson told News24 ; "We are indeed currently focused on developing our English-language Africa hub in South Africa, headed up by Paula Slier – a South Africa native, RT's longtime correspondent and formerly head of RT's Jerusalem bureau".

"We will be releasing more updates about the particulars of this operation at the appropriate time," RT said.

 

According to an insider, the RT South African newsroom is currently being set up although it's still unclear how many South African staff, camera operators and reporters RT plans to hire as it takes a page from the playbook of what other global TV news channels like CNN International, Al Jazeera, BBC World News and China's pro-Beijing CGTN have done in Africa.

The African expansion of Russia's state-backed TV channel comes amid Russia's unprovoked invasion and ongoing war in Ukraine and widespread global condemnation of the pro-Russia and anti-Ukraine misinformation and propaganda on the channel over the past few months.

RT banned by EU
Earlier this year RT was banned by the European Union (EU), as well as in Canada and in the United Kingdom by Britain's broadcasting regulator Ofcom.

Imposed EU sanctions also meant that RT abruptly went dark in South Africa and across sub-Saharan Africa on 2 March. This was the date when Luxembourg-based companies like Intelsat and SES SA flipped the kill-switch on the satellite uplinking of RT's channel feed to their satellite transponders like Intelsat's IS-20 on which a pay-TV operator like the Randburg-based MultiChoice leases bandwidth to bring the channel to DStv subscribers.

 

Google and other companies also blocked the propaganda channel's YouTube streaming.
Two-and-a-half months later, RT surprisingly flickered back on South African TV screens on 11 May – this time thanks to Chinese support.

The MultiChoice pay-TV rival, StarTimes Media – running the StarSat pay-TV service in South Africa and StarTimes elsewhere in Africa – added RT to its TV channels line-up in mid-May, using SES S.A.'s SES-5 satellite transponder on which StarTimes/StarSat is leasing space.

SES S.A. is a satellite and terrestrial telecommunications network provider also based in Luxembourg in Europe. SES S.A. told News24 that it "engaged with European regulatory bodies to suspend the distribution of specific Russia Today channels and Sputnik across Europe" and had turned off the designated signals on 2 March.

"While the channel in question – Russia Today Global – is being delivered via SES-5 (a satellite that SES owns) over sub-Saharan Africa, it is our customer who has leased our bandwidth and is distributing the channel over the leased capacity."
"SES also notes that this channel is not one that has been banned by the European Union."

 

"We have been engaging with our customers and regulatory authorities to assess both what we can do and must do under the various legal regimes to which we are subject. SES is prepared to take immediate action and implement any instructions we receive from regulatory authorities,” the company said.

StarTimes told the press in May that as a pay-TV service it "takes pride in sourcing relevant and current content to enhance our packages, thus we regard RT Global as a 24-hour English-language news channel that focuses on all major economic, political and social issues of our time".

Move from Kenya to SA
While RT's original plan was to get a localised foothold on the African continent by establishing its African bureau in Nairobi, Kenya where the African headquarters of China's CGTN has also been set up and based for the past few years, RT has now switched from the East African country to South Africa where it won't be directly competing with CGTN for newsroom resources.

It's unclear if RT's move away from Kenya to South Africa to set up its first localised African hub is possibly a tit-for-tat move to get out of CGTN's way, after StarTimes' decision to sign a channel carriage agreement to showcase RT on channel 260 of the Chinese pay-TV platform.

In February RT still posted adverts for journalist positions who would have had to work and be based in Nairobi.

The RT spokesperson didn't comment on the African location change, how many South African staff RT plans to hire, or why RT is interested in creating a regional headquarter in Africa.

Disturbing Facts About Controversial News Station Afro Worldview (Formerly ANN7)

8 years ago, MultiChoice operated Afro Worldview (known as ANN7 at the time) which was a Gupta owned news station which gained attention mainly for its technical setbacks, untrained staff and behind the scenes antics.

Today, we explore some various aspects of the former DStv channel some much worse than others but after reviewing this you'd understand why MultiChoice opted to cut ties and source Newsroom Afrika as an alternative to Afro Worldview.

Here are the disturbing facts about Afro Worldview part of which were highlighted in the book Indentured - Behind The Scenes At Gupta TV

 

"Rajesh, I want you to prepare for our first meeting with DStv, our enemies at MultiChoice. Arun and you will go to the meeting tomorrow and I want you to give them a copy of the EPG and make sure that channel 404 on DStv is allocated to us. But I want to warn you, they are our enemies. They will try everything to see us fail," writes Rajesh Sundaram. Mentioned on page 62 of Indentured.

1. Afro Worldview wanted to be on channel 404 currently occupied by SABC News and went as far as getting Jacob Zuma involved.
2. MultiChoice was a big enemy of Gupta owned channel.

"It was clear that the team from MultiChoice did not believe we were technically or editorially prepared to launch a news channel by the end of July. The tension in the room was palpable. They were visibly upset with the political pressure that was being brought to bear on them to launch the channel quickly and on the terms directed by the Guptas." Mentioned on page 63 on Indentured.

 

"We did not have the people, the studio was not complete, and much of the broadcasting equipment had not even been ordered at this time. The team did not even have newsgathering and studio cameras." Mentioned on page 63 on Indentured.

3. MultiChoice was seemingly aware that the channel was not ready to launch at the time.

"DStv suddenly gave in. Even as ANN7 was offering three bulletins a day produced on primitive systems and equipment nowhere near the quality standards prescribed by DStv, it was announced internally that DStv had been 'pressured' through president Jacob Zuma 's office to oust Russia Today from the 405 slot and give it to us." Mentioned on page 126 on Indentured.

4. Russia Today moved from channel 405 to 408 due to pressure from Jacob Zuma to occupy ANN7 on a higher channel number but MultiChoice has denied it and claimed the change was a way of getting local channels closer.

"His plan saved the company thousands of rands, but it cost the company millions in lost reputation, as we found out post-launch."
"Atul wanted Gerry Rantseli-Elsdon to train the models. Gerry was hired to present the breakfast show, which had been branded Vuka Africa."
"Gerry was given a table and chair, a white board and a training room. Some days she had a camera at her disposal. She had no teleprompter, professional monitors or audio equipment in the initial weeks." Mentioned on page 107 on Indentured.

 

5. Afro Worldview used models as news anchors.

"The bulletins we had produced at that time were, unsurprisingly, fullof technical glitches and were anchored by a group of models hired by Atul and trained by Gerry Rantseli-Elsdon . The young women were very raw, clueless about the news they were reading and very unfamiliar with a studio setting." Mentioned on page 130 on Indentured.

6. Afro Worldview always had glitches with their bulletins even before launch.

"We are nowhere near the quality of CNN International or BBC. He had very little understanding of television or the primitive conditions under which the bulletins were being produced." Mentioned on page 114 on Indentured.

7. Channel boss had little experience with television.

"The archival footage at the SABC was indeed of a very high quality and in my view worth millions of rands," writes Rajesh Sundaram. "Nazeem, Laxmi and Atul repeatedly told me that the contract with the SABC for this sale favoured ANN7, was drafted by Gupta lawyers and that the price of the footage was 'peanuts' compared to its real value."

 

8. "Stupid SABC" - Before MultiChoice, SABC sold their archives to Afro Worldview.

He told Biznews that Indian staffers, brought to South Africa on tourist visas and who worked in the country illegally, had to live on the ANN7 Midrand construction site "in sub-human conditions".
"There were staff that Atul Gupta would slap; and physically abuse us; scream verbal abuse at people. For instance say the playout system crashes, Atul Gupta would come into the production control room and start beating up the audio console person".

9. Channel boss was abusive to staff by slapping and calling them names.

"My relationship with ANN7 started when I was approached to produce a show for the station. It was supposed to start on Sunday but there were issues I wasn't happy with since I discovered its history with the Guptas."

10. Controversial pastor Paseka "Mboro" Motsoeneng pulled his gospel show due to ties with Guptas.

Conspiracy Theory: Could Zee Bollymovies Be The Second Movie Channel MultiChoice Was Hyping About? And Could RT Global Be Added As A Replacement To Russia Today (RT)?

StarSat recently launched Zee Bollymovies and RT Global to their platform during the week as the platform is still trying to source out more content to make up for the hundred channels removed from their platform.

MultiChoice was set to cut the cord on e.tv's four channels in March but was delayed for another two months as they entered a court session with eMedia Investments regarding the agreement for these channels.

As mentioned, MultiChoice promised to launch a second movie channel while as expanding the reach of KIX to DStv Access customers while the terminations had been delayed the additions on the other hand have reportedly been finalized.

 

I mean the rumour is not shocking as these developments are also being made available to the rest of Africa and I have a reason to believe it could be Zee Bollymovies.

During the court session with eMedia Investments, MultiChoice boasted about how repetitive their offering is implying that this movie channel could have less to none of that, second is KIX is launching on Access and the channel has nothing in common with eMovies and last is the timing for Zee Bollymovies.

StarTimes was the first to unveil Real Time and before you knew it the channel surfaced on DStv so what are the chances Zee Bollymovies won't just do the same.

 

In other developments

Russia Today is now available on StarSat or at least as RT Global. From what was stated during the channel's blackout on DStv, MultiChoice had no intention of scrapping the channel so what are the chances that RT Global won't just take up the space of Russia Today.

If MultiChoice still has Russia Today it may not be due to the hope that EU restore the channel but possibly a contractual complication. Every deal can have a loophole, Russia Today's agreement with MultiChoice was to provide content.

Would it be shocking if these pair surface on DStv?

Russia Today (RT) Stopped Airing On DStv And TelkomOne

RT, the Russian state-owned news channel formerly known as Russia Today, is no longer available on DStv, just one day after MultiChoice Group said it had no intention of canning it. But the decision was out of the pay-television broadcaster’s hands.

Viewers who tune into DStv channel 407 – where RT is meant to be housed – are now greeted with a message saying the “channel is closed” and are encouraged to check the television guide for when it might open again.

The closure of the channel was spotted on Wednesday evening. The channel also seems to have been suspended from the online streaming version of DStv.

The channel’s disappearance comes a day after MultiChoice told this publication that it would not pull the channel of its pay-TV bouquets, despite an EU-wide ban and restrictions placed on it – and another Russian news broadcaster Sputnik – by technology giants including Google, YouTube, Microsoft, Meta Platforms and Twitter.

But MultiChoice, it has transpired, had nothing to do with taking RT off DStv. In response to a query from TechCentral, the company confirmed RT was pulled off its platform effective 2 March and “not be carried on the DStv platform until further notice”.

Also read: 
- Could G4 launch on DStv perhaps to replace a channel like Ginx Esports TV?
- SABC will launch more HD channels and streaming service
- Tellytrack will stop airing on DStv
- Could Moonbug Kids replace Disney Junior on DStv and Baby TV on StarSat?
- tvN pushing to become a permanent linear channel in Africa
- Could Nicktoons be discontinued in Africa and likely the rest of the world?
- Multichoice won't be adding anymore community channels

“Sanctions imposed on Russia have led to the global distributor of the channel ceasing to provide the broadcast feed to all suppliers, including MultiChoice,” it said.

Satellite services
MultiChoice relies on satellite backhaul links to receive its programming. It also distributes its channels to viewers using an Intelsat satellite. Intelsat is headquartered in Luxembourg, which is a member state of the EU.

The bans and restrictions on RT and Sputnik come as many nations impose severe sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine, a move that is expected to cripple the country’s economy. Harsh sanctions have also been imposed on Putin and his inner circle, as well as many of the country’s oligarchs, who have prospered in the corrupt Russian system.

South Africa is not one of the nations that has imposed sanctions, and the governing ANC has strong historical ties to Russia and continues to have good relations with it.

Meanwhile, communications regulator Icasa also weighed in on RT’s removal from DStv. Icasa said in a statement issued late on Wednesday evening that it will approach MultiChoice about the decision.

Also read:
- KIX launching on DStv Access
- YouTube bans Russia Today from generating revenue
- After a year, DreamWorks Channel replaces Disney on DStv
- Could ESPN close alongside National Geographic and Disney Channel?
- New movie channel launching later in the year on DStv
- Lifetime could be on the chopping block on DStv
- tvN pushing to become a permanent linear channel in Africa
- SABC Encore and SABC Children channel might be in development
- Could eNCA launch on Openview?

Icasa chairman Keabetswe Modimoeng
“Given the underlying principle of the South African broadcasting system for promoting a plurality of views, it is only prudent for Icasa to enquire with DStv on the rationale for the discontinuation of the RT channel,” said Icasa CEO Keabetswe Modimoeng in the statement.

Icasa said it “would like to put it on record that the broadcast of RT on the DStv platform is and continues to be a commercial agreement between the subscription TV broadcaster, MultiChoice and RT”.

The authority’s role in the broadcasting of RT has been solely limited to channel authorisation as submitted by the licensee (in this case, MultiChoice) and approved by Icasa prior to the channel being introduced.

“This is a regulatory requirement fulfilled by the licensee before introducing any new channel for consumption by the South African public,” the regulator said.

“Our licensing and compliance division has not received any notification by MultiChoice confirming the discontinuation of the channel on its DStv platform. It is in the public interest to know the reasons for this discontinuation since the authorisation was approved by the authority,” said Modimoeng. 

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Roundups #24: Several Companies Including WarnerMedia, Sony And Disney Halt Theatrical Releases In Russia, UEFA And FIFA Banned For Russia Until Further Notice And Tellytrack Is Now Available On Gallop TV As The Brand Parts Ways With DStv Yet Russia Today (RT) Can Still Be Seen Across Africa

Theatrical releases has been paused in Russia

"Given the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the tragic humanitarian crisis, we are pausing the release of theatrical films in Russia, including the upcoming 'Turning Red' from Pixar," Disney said in a statement to Insider. "We will make future business decisions based on the evolving situation."

The announcement makes Disney the first major Hollywood studio to stop releases in Russia in response to President Vladimir Putin's attack. Global sports associations and businesses in other industries have also severed relations with the country.

"Turning Red" was slated to open on March 10 in Russia. In the US, the Pixar animation is set to debut exclusively on streaming service Disney+ on March 11, but a theatrical release was planned for countries that don't have the service — like Russia.

Also read:
- Captain America and Black Adams team up for new Amazon film
- Big Cook Little Cook is back on CBeebies
- WildBrainTV launched in Canada, could it expand to more regions?
- Megamind and Abominable TV series currently in development for 2023
- The Casagrandes will be folded under The Loud House
- More Sonic The Hedgehog projects underway plus a free android game
- Jimmy Neutron revival might be on the cards
- DreamWorks Jr. greenlit several preschool content
- Ice Age character Scratch is getting a TV series

Soon after Disney's announcement, Warner Media said it would stop the release of "The Batman" in Russia, just several days before the film's theatrical debut on March 3.

Sony followed suit, saying it was also "pausing" theatrical releases in Russia, including the debut of its upcoming movie "Morbius," which is scheduled to open on April 1.

Sports has also been paused in Russia

In a joint statement the two organisations said: “Fifa and Uefa have decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both Fifa and Uefa competitions until further notice.

“These decisions were adopted today by the Bureau of the Fifa Council and the Executive Committee of Uefa, respectively the highest decision-making bodies of both institutions on such urgent matters. Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine. Both Presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people.”

Uefa also announced a second highly significant move, confirming that it had cancelled a long-standing and highly lucrative sponsorship deal with Gazprom. The Russian gas company had been a sponsor of the Champions League for a decade and the final of this year’s competition was to have been played in the Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg.

Also read:
- Iron Chef coming soon to Netflix
- New The Little Prince series debuts in 2023
- Baby TV could be on the chopping block
- Paramount+ working on first live-action series from Sonic The Hedgehog franchise
- Disney closing multiple channels in Latin America
- Adult animated comedy starring Kevin Hart coming to HBO Max
- Paramount+ and Nickelodeon expand kids slate
- National Geographic ending in the UK and several other markets
- Why VH1 Classic was terminated on DStv?
- Love, Victor cancelled on Hulu

Last week Uefa moved the match to Paris, however, and has now severed the relationship entirely. “Uefa has today decided to end its partnership with Gazprom across all competitions,” a statement said. “The decision is effective immediately and covers all existing agreements including the Uefa Champions League, Uefa national team competitions and Uefa Euro 2024.”

Why is Russia Today still available on DStv as there's more closures across the globe?

A moment of silence arrived for Tellytrack when the channel was shuttered on the DStv platform across Africa for the horseracing lifestyle channel Racing240 as viewers put more focus on the Russian based brand, Russia Today (RT).

MultiChoice hasn't removed Russia's RT propaganda channel in the way that other pay-TV operators in the world have done and with the Broadcasting Complaints Commission receiving complaints from DStv subscribers, MultiChoice says it has no control over RT.

Meanwhile a DStv subscriber Jared Myroff has started an online petition, directed to MultiChoice CEO Calvo Mawela and the pay-TV operator's chairperson Imtiaz Patel, imploring MultiChoice to remove RT from DStv.

More than 20 local providers from Poland, Australia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Canada, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Bulgaria, Germany, as well as representatives of international corporations have already responded to the request," 1+1 Media Group said in a press release even YouTube blocked the brand from generating revenue.

Also read:
- After a year, DreamWorks Channel replaces Disney on DStv
- SABC will launch more HD channels and streaming service
- Could ESPN close alongside National Geographic and Disney Channel?
- Tellytrack will stop airing on DStv
- Could Moonbug Kids replace Disney Junior on DStv and Baby TV on StarSat?
- tvN pushing to become a permanent linear channel in Africa
- Multichoice won't be adding anymore community channels
- Kwara TV might launch on DStv

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Could Russia Today (RT) Be The Next Channel To Be Removed On MultiChoice's DStv Following It's Exit From Germany And Possibly The UK?

Sir Keir Starmer has called for the Kremlin’s state-controlled TV network Russia Today to be banned from airing in the UK.

The Labour leader told Parliament action was needed to curb “Putin’s campaign of misinformation” after the Russian leader furthered his bid to split up Ukraine by moving Russian troops into the country’s east.

Sir Keir said: “Putin’s campaign of misinformation should be tackled, and Russia Today should be prevented from broadcasting its propaganda around the world.”

Shadow Cabinet minister Lisa Nandy also called for action, adding: “When the Russia Report was published we asked Ofcom to review Russia Today’s license. Given what is unfolding, why is it still freely broadcasting state propaganda in the UK?”

In recent weeks, Western officials have accused Russian state media outlets of fabricating bogus provocations blamed on Ukraine’s forces in a bid to justify the conflict, while RT’s news coverage has celebrated Russia’s “friendship” with the breakaway Donbass region.

Also read: 
- Could G4 launch on DStv perhaps to replace a channel like Ginx Esports TV?
- DreamWorks Channel will be added to MultiChoice's DStv
- SABC registered three channels: SABC Parliament, SABC Children and SABC Encore
- Could ESPN close alongside National Geographic and Disney Channel?
- Tellytrack will stop airing on DStv
- Could Moonbug Kids replace Disney Junior on DStv and Baby TV on StarSat?
- tvN pushing to become a permanent linear channel in Africa
- Could Nicktoons be discontinued in Africa and likely the rest of the world?
- Multichoice won't be adding anymore community channels
- Kwara TV might launch on DStv

The TV channel, funded and controlled by the Russian government, continues to broadcast an English-language channel in the UK despite moves in other parts of Europe to curb its influence.

Critics have long accused Russia Today of being a mouthpiece for the Kremlin and skewing its coverage of international affairs in favour of Russia.

The broadcaster has faced previous enforcement action from Ofcom, with a fine issued in 2019 over what the broadcast regulator said were repeated breaches of impartiality rules.

Ofcom said that numerous news and current affairs programmes had shown “serious and repeated failures” to report with due impartiality over issues including the Salisbury Novichok poisonings, which were perpetrated by Russia.

RT attempted to challenge the fine but lost at both the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Earlier this month, Germany’s media regulator moved to ban RT’s German-language channel, finding it had failed to adhere to media licensing laws. What are the chances that BRCSA or MultiChoice will do the same in Africa?

A petition was put up to have the channel removed on DStv.

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