MultiChoice Heading To Court Over Controversial SABC Deal

 MultiChoice is currently appealing a ruling from South Africa’s Competition Commission, which stated that its 2013 agreement with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) constituted an unreported merger. The deal, which centered around the distribution of television content between the two companies, has sparked controversy due to its involvement in the ongoing digital terrestrial television (DTT) migration and its clauses that allegedly influenced SABC’s stance on encryption.

The Competition Commission found that the agreement, particularly its encryption clause, effectively restricted competition by protecting MultiChoice’s dominant position in the pay-TV market. The SABC had previously alternated its position on encryption, but in the agreement, it committed to not encrypt its free-to-air channels on the DTT platform, thus preventing new competitors from entering the market. This influence over the SABC’s policy constituted a merger, according to the Competition Act, which requires such mergers to be notified and approved by the competition authorities before implementation.

MultiChoice insists that the 2013 agreement was a typical business arrangement and that it should not be categorised as a merger. They argue that no anti-competitive intent was involved, and that the deal was in line with standard content-sharing practices. However, the Competition Commission has recommended that the Competition Tribunal treat the agreement as a merger and seek regulatory approval, further proposing potential proceedings against both MultiChoice and the SABC for failing to adhere to the notification requirements.

The ongoing appeal highlights tensions between corporate interests and regulatory oversight in the South African broadcasting sector. The outcome could have significant implications for the future of digital migration, competition laws, and the relationship between public broadcasters and private media giants.

This case has been under scrutiny for several years, with earlier efforts to challenge the deal dismissed due to insufficient evidence. However, new investigations have provided fresh insights that suggest the agreement warranted closer examination under competition law. As the case develops, it will continue to be a focal point for both industry watchers and regulators.

Recap To The Year: SABC Silently Revived And Rebranded The Controversial SABC Encore Channel, Now On DTT As SABC Variety

SABC Encore was a general entertainment channel operated by the public broadcaster that was exclusive to MultiChoice's DStv alongside SABC News. It would broadcast content from the 1980s and 1990s including shows like Agter Elke Man and 'Sgudi 'Snaysi.

Following its exit from the DStv platform, the SABC was looking to continue the channel on another platform and since then there had been no updates or at least from the SABC. On their DTT platforms, the public broadcaster still had its remains within the channel number.

Often it would serve as a catch-up/pop-up channel to content viewed on SABC 1-3 (including Sports). This channel would often stream on TelkomOne (now SABC+) for mostly the sporting content before being removed.

During the year, the public broadcaster gave SABC Encore a facelift with the channel undergoing yet another name change, SABC Variety. As mentioned, the public broadcaster remained silent regarding the developments of this channel alongside the much anticipated SABC Lehae.

We assume similar to SABC Sport's expansion to Openview, the public could be looking to possibly launch these channels on more platforms. It doesn't seem fetched as their current STBs aren't seen as sustainable with consumers base said to be in less than 500,000 households.

Development Alert: SABC Reportedly Registered A New Channel On DTT, SABC Variety

Last month, SABC through a small press release on their website had unveiled their second news channel, SABC Lehae. After losing rights to SABC News, the channel would telecast news segments seen on SABC 1-3 alongside archived material with plans to offer live news.

Prior to that time, it was reported that the public broadcaster was in production of another TV channel with sources suggesting it to be a general entertainment channel which led to speculation of SABC Encore.

Following its demise on DStv, SABC was looking to revive the channel and for 3 years there has yet to be an update on when or if that is still on the cards. They had used it as a pop-up channel on their DTT platforms during that time but other than that nothing until now.

Not long ago, a viewer had spotted a channel on DTT known as SABC Variety which we presume was the rumoured channel the public broadcaster was looking to unveil within the first quarter of 2024. It could be a new name for the long-speculated SABC Encore channel.

The public broadcaster hasn't shared details about the content but SABC+ has a variety section known as SABC Reality for shows like Nyan Nyan, Motswako, Afro Cafe and Spykaart. So we can only assume that this a rival brand to eKasi on eReality, Via, Moja Love and HONEY.

Recap To The Decade: SABC Encore Revival Is Still In Development For The Openview Platform

SABC is gearing up for the launch of their second news channel, SABC eKhaya. It will serve as the 7th TV channel by the public broadcaster and it will also be a regional spinoff to the current SABC News brand viewed on MultiChoice's DStv, SABC's DTT and SABC+.

It will debut in the second quarter of the year exclusively on SABC's DTT and SABC+ offering news in all 11 South African languages. A format which was once seen on the current SABC News but abandoned following the brand's expansion to the rest of Africa.

As seen these past years, SABC has been behind on expanding their linear presence. In 2021, they formalised a partnership with eMedia Investments for 3 additional channels including SABC Sport and now we are in 2023 and we're still awaiting updates on the 2 channels.

From what was gathered, these two channels would leverage content from SABC's archives and just like SABC Sport. The plan was to offer something unique and not available on SABC 1-3 as more households tune into these stations and their content.

Although, we have yet to get an update on the supposed channels. SABC eKhaya isn't the only channel the public broadcaster might be looking to introduce in the coming future but likely a revival to the controversial SABC Encore now referred to Intelsat as SABC 1.

For almost 2 years, the public broadcaster had been working on this supposed channel under SABC Entertainment, SABC Children and SABC Encore. What had me more convinced about Encore was the time since it left DStv which is when these tests were underway.

One of the brand names, SABC Entertainment was initially meant to be the name for SABC Encore before those plans were scrapped while as the connection with SABC Children may have to do with the fact that both channels exist to leverage from SABC 1-3.

The public broadcaster had marketed SABC Encore on numerous occasions particularly for live matches or memorial services alongside talked on a revival. On top of that, SABC 1 had been spotted with the SABC Encore tag.

If anything, I do wonder how this brand would be any different to the version viewed on DStv. The channel was opened on numerous occasions for rebroadcasts of live matches on top of that memorial service and with SABC restructuring repeats on SABC 1-3.

It wouldn't be shocking if SABC Encore returned in a similar form to M-Net's SWITCH channels or eMedia's Power UP as SABC 1-3 won't be leveraging repeats from the other. Considering it was somewhat relevant, I can see the 80s/90s version of the channel remain intact.

Could SABC Be Unveiling Another Two Channels Possibly On Openview Ultra, Here's Why?

For several weeks, eMedia Investments has been teasing consumers with the launch of Openview Ultra (formerly known as Openview+) which serves the pay tier to the current Openview platform for which the broadcaster is expected to unveil later in the year.

As consumers await the launch of Openview Ultra, eMedia Investments had reserved the area for 4 yet to be launched channels in the slots of channels 241, 242, 301 and 302 and as some had noticed not which muchs are available in the mentioned slots until recently.

eMedia Investments had placed SABC 2 and SABC 3 in the test channel section. Although, this may not mean much SABC 1 was often used as a test pilot for SABC Encore so it's possible that maybe SABC 2 and SABC 3 are just placeholders for other channels.

eMedia Investments:
- Glow TV to stop airing on the Openview platform from next month
- Prediction: eToonz to get an additional channel
- Could Openview+ lead to 24 hour capability of these channels?
- eToonz schedule explained

They are still awaiting for the SABC to drop the two entertainment channels which would explore their forever rich archives while SABC Sport and their 19 radio stations reside on the Openview platform.

The public broadcaster launched a second news channel before the end of the current financial year, SABC eKhaya which would cater to local languages formerly seen on the SABC News channel before it's expansion to other African markets.

SABC 2 does seem like the ideal placeholder for this channel as it was advised that the channel would dwell more into current affairs for which there's plenty of on this supposed channel.

As for SABC 3, not much is known at this point my hunch would be that rumoured SABC Encore/Children might fill up this slot as seen occasionally with SABC 1 as the public broadcaster had expressed interest in a revival although they had been no updates since then.

SABC:
- Could SABC Encore revival be scrapped?
- A former SABC channel was added onto Openview
- SABC Movies' dream journal
- SABC Education not launching on Openview

TelkomOne Vs. SABC+: Transition From International To Local Entertainment

Earlier today, TelkomOne without prior notice announced that they'll be unavailable for the rest of the day and left a cryptic message to their subscribers while as SABC has gearing up for the rollout of their long awaited streaming service, SABC+.

Moments later, it was discovered that TelkomOne would be shutting down and that SABC will fill the gap that Telkom would leave several of their subscribers so here's an overview.

TelkomOne alongside SABC+ are both based in SA and managed by different parties. If anything, their parties formed an agreement where one would leverage from the other in exchange for money so in this case is it really shocking as this was bound to happen.

I mean MTN, Cell C and Vodacom all joined the streaming game and backed out so why not Telkom in this case.

TelkomOne featured a variety of international content particularly premium channels like Real Time, Toonami, Discovery Science and EWTN all of which are likely dead at this point following the acquisition by the public broadcaster.

From what sources stated about SABC+, it would be similar to BBC iPlayer in the UK so basically another DStv App which comes with SABC 1-3, Sport and Education alongside their 19 radio stations and archived material.

If you study the facts carefully, basically all the content TelkomOne picked up without a linear channel will be compensated with archived content while as the linear channels such as Discovery Science will be supplemented with SABC 1-3.

Considering how many linear channels they were at the time my guess would be that they'll add a few more channels to the lineup just not as much as that of TelkomOne.

While as TelkomOne offered Toonami and Boing with SABC+ the likelihood is that consumers will get SABC Education and the rumoured Tuluntulu channel, SABC Children while as The Home Channel and Discovery Science and France24 would be compensated with SABC Encore and SABC Sport.

SABC Children and Encore were rumoured for about a year and I'm not saying these are the channels but you find plenty of global streamers like Paramount+ use several of their existing shows and forming a digital channel within the platform to promote the content.

The idea of SABC doing such doesn't seem far fetched especially after what happened last year as they stated Openview's upcoming channels would be repeat channels which is what SABC+ is all about.

During the years, I assume the public broadcaster took some notes from MultiChoice's Showmax and eMedia Investments' eVOD and will include Fast Forward or simulcast broadcasts to some of their properties.

Over to whether SABC News will be seen on SABC+ that's a definite maybe should it be included it won't be available elsewhere unless it's a product of MultiChoice which gives the brand stability.

All in all, viewers have to tune in tomorrow to see what else SABC has in store.

But from what was implied about it several times it's just a reduction to TelkomOne so I'm assuming some consumers will opt to cancel while those viewing the free version will latch onto the platform for the time being either way I can see it ending in a positive and negative manner.

SABC 1 Title Card Had Been Registered For The Openview Platform

If you're probably reading this then you must have realised that that the public broadcaster once again missed the deadline to rollout their OTT platform accompanied by their additional channels which are set to join the existing SABC 1-3, Sport and Education.

At this point, I wouldn't be shocked if people forgot about these channels or pay attention to them as eMedia Investments had already found other means to keep viewers occupied. This year alone, Openview welcomed eXposed, ePlesier, The Home Channel+ and probably BBC UKTV.

Most of which are basically premium channels and are nothing like what ePlesier and the long awaited channels are going to be - repetitive as they were highlighted to get archived material.

Although we haven't gotten official confirmation toward the existence of SABC Children and any other SABC channel. The public broadcaster alongside eMedia Investments seems to have registered a brand known as SABC 1.

I know some viewers are thinking how absurd this appears but interesting fact about this SABC 1 was often referred as the defunct SABC Encore channel. Even had its logo swapped while transmitting on both Openview and TelkomOne.

Taking that to account, it's possible SABC 1 is just a cover up for another channel they don't want to mention e.g. SABC Encore, SABC Parliament or SABC Children. At this point, I'd be more shocked if none of these brands happened to be the reported channels.

I mean there's a lot of evidence staggering against them one is that DTT still has a slot for SABC Encore and the second is that SABC Education beforehand was available digitally on Tuluntulu before launching on DTT.

Rumour: eMedia Investments To Add A Further 4 Channels On The Openview Platform

eMedia Investments unveiled their annual results last month and a lot was unveiled during that time such as the launch of the Openview pay-tv tier to rival with the likes of MultiChoice's DStv and On Digital Media and StarTimes' StarSat and the addition of a new channel in October.

Although not much details have been shared about the channel, it is believed by several consumers that it could be another channel from eMedia Investments. As of this moment, nothing is certain at this point so viewers have to wait until there's official confirmation.

Other channels viewers have been waiting aimlessly on for more than a year comes from the SABC which might have showed their showed their faces ahead of their debut on the platform but what's got viewers more curious is the test cards on the platform.

eMedia Investments seems to have placed 4 test cards implying that consumers may be getting a total of 4 channels and I know we have 2 SABC channels coming to the Openview platform but what are the chances that these test cards have nothing to do with them.

SABC has been testing out potential new channels exclusively on their DTT plans through Sentech of course none of these experiments have been conducted outside that area which just builds more questions as to what the test cards are for.

All we know at this point is that 4 developments are happening on the Openview platform.

Could The Rumoured SABC Encore Revival Be Scrapped As The Supposed SABC Children's Channel Enters Post Production?

SABC Encore is a defunct entertainment channel that was home to archived material mainly 80s and 90s shows by the public broadcaster that was once available on an exclusive basis alongside SABC News to MultiChoice's DStv and SABC's DTT platform.

Its been 2 years since the channel went off air and a year since rumours swirled around about the potential revival after the SABC had mentioned considering reviving the channel on another platform on top of that it's presence on Sentech which has since then been taken down.

As seen for the past year, SABC Encore was registered alongside SABC Children now updated excludes the channel as Children takes up the space once shared by the channel which raises concern for some readers.

Also seen in the past year was the SABC's mentions of an SABC Encore without any mention of MultiChoice. Of course, it's presence was often a temporary matter as it was used to beam memorials or catch-up on sports matches.

As seen earlier in the month, Openview consumers were alarmed to see SABC 1 branded as SABC Encore as this had happened frequently and of course eMedia Investments and the SABC remaining silent on the matter. Even TelkomOne at one point had an SABC Encore without using SABC 1.

Taking that to consideration I doubt SABC Encore is dead or at least from my perspective considering how sneaky they have been with referencing the channel so if anything the brand is going through somewhat of a phase that's beyond our understanding.

SABC Encore when first spotted was registered under its initial name SABC Entertainment which might as well be the future of the channel of course nothing is certain at this point in regard to the concepts of the channel.

It was never part of SABC's initial DTT offering but due to the load of followers it just led them with the idea of reviving the channels which too would be unveiled with SABC's untitled streaming service which would introduce further channels and programming.

The further channels will carry archived material so there's no reason to not believe it's Encore or something remotely close to it, SABC Entertainment but how do you go about adding "further programming" if the name boasts on repeats we'll see what happens.

If anything I'm expecting them to either make the channel cater to viewers of the 80s and 90s with fresh content that compliments their tastes or to just use the concept for their SABC 4 and 5 that were part of their failed DTT attempts which was just diving SABC 1-3 to cover more ground.

Hints: MultiChoice To Add More SABC Channels To The DStv Platform

eMedia Investments and MultiChoice have been beefing over the carriage agreement for eToonz, eExtra, eMovies and eMovies Extra on which these 3 new SABC channels were set to replace but following the court's recent ruling complicates things for these channels as MultiChoice doesn't have much room for more channels.

In an interview earlier in the year, the SABC promised new content for the current SABC 1-3 alongside these new channels while also changing the way content would be distributed amongst their brands as they gear up for the launch of their long awaited OTT platform.

These new channels which are likely the same ones eMedia Investments failed to launch last year although there that much hasn't been confirmed would it be shocking if it was true as these brands were set up to replace eMedia's channels on the DStv platform.

From the info presented to the press about Openview's long awaited SABC channels, consumers should expect a lot of archived material as seen with SABC Education but as more viewers glue themselves to these brands expect some fresh content every now and then.

I'm no wizard in this but wasn't this how most if not all eMedia's brands panned out and following its expansion to the DStv platform you saw an increase in primetime so yeah these new channels have to be the same ones coming to the Openview platform.

Onto the specifics for these channels, SABC hasn't provided any detail in that regard but they have been giving a couple of teasers like SABC Sport 2 alongside the return of SABC Encore.

SABC Sport 2 comes out of the fact that the main channel SABC Sport has seen success on the Openview platform but as mentioned on several occasions they're not financially fit to launch more channels unless they have a reliable source of income and regardless this is a brand that MultiChoice wouldn't really want on their platform.

SABC Encore on the other hand is an uphill battle not that channels can't relaunch on DStv but for the time that it ran on DStv. There wasn't anything worth exploring that viewers hadn't got on SABC 1-3 but as mentioned in an interview they plan to revive the brand on another platform that doesn't it can't come back.

All the channels needs is improvement over whether it can launch again it's a mystery maybe this channel will launch on Openview and a seperate entertainment channel likely called SABC Entertainment surfaces on DStv as SABC had been tinkering with the brand names.

The second channel SABC Education has been going through development hell and as speculated most of this is on SABC as MultiChoice had been waiting on the other two channels to surface but as usual the public broadcaster can't meet up to a deadline.

The last channel is a complicated scenario, SABC had registered an SABC Parliament while Openview is expecting repeats that's not the case with this channel but seeing as they are replacements it's better to just cut that out of the list and look at another potential channel, SABC Children.

I know out of the 3 channels 2 cater for children but remember SABC Education revamped their lineup in 2021 and just like Da Vinci Kids also includes content for adults. The channel offers shows like Skeem Saam, Afro Cafe and Speak Out something you wouldn't find a lot of toddlers watching.

If you look at the possible 3 channels, the idea doesn't seem far fetched as MultiChoice has plenty of entertainment channels and while as with SABC I don't envision them adding anything that could rival with SABC 1-3 any further than SABC Encore/Entertainment.

That Time A Former DStv Channel Was Made Available On The Openview Platform

SABC Encore is a defunct entertainment channel that was supplied exclusively to MultiChoice's DStv as part of a 5 year agreement made between them and the public broadcaster which was worth half a billion and included SABC News that continues to operate on the platform.

When SABC Encore left DStv, the SABC had stated on several occasions that they were working on continuing the channel on another platform. Aside from DStv, the channel was viewable on DTT but due to a lack of funding the space reserved for the channel remains inactive.

Of course there has been a lot of site seeing for SABC Encore. Take for instance, any major league broadcast on SABC 1 and SABC Sport often SABC Encore is used as somewhat of a pop-up for this content the same happened with some live memorial service for a local figure.

Interesting about this as that the SABC seems to acknowledge all this as the press release credits SABC Encore without diving further in the sudden inclusion of the channel especially with no input coming from MultiChoice.

SABC and eMedia Investments had signed an agreement for which two channels are still awaiting launch on the Openview platform and as speculated from several witnesses SABC Encore could be one of the two channels but that's where it gets more intriguing.

Several months ago, a consumer noticed that SABC 1 was 'mislabeled' as SABC Encore and that was the only thing different about the channel as everything else functioned normally and just recently another user noticed the SABC Encore banner.

Other brand names that were also used aside from SABC Encore through various other outlets include SABC Africa, SABC Entertainment and with SABC Children which at this point is sharing a space with the controversial channel.

The brand's presence just builds further speculation that this was indeed one of the two channels eMedia Investments and the SABC failed to launch last year and as stated by both parties these channels are nonexclusive which could explain its presence on TelkomOne.

Could The Rumoured SABC Encore Revival Launch On DStv Perhaps To Replace eExtra?

Two years ago, SABC Encore was ripped away from DStv customers as MultiChoice opted to not renew the agreement for the channel. Since then, there's been several rumours about a possible revival as the SABC had stated they were looking into continuing the channel on another platform.

Aside from DTT which had a blank space, TelkomOne often supplied the channel as somewhat of a pop-up. Of course, would you consider it a pop-up if it didn't last a day better yet 8 hours.

It's evident that the channel isn't fully functional as the SABC is hoping to get some funding on the brand I mean SABC Sport was on limbo for a couple of years supplying repeats from SABC 1-3 and outdated sports and all that changed when TelkomOne and Openview were onboard with supplying the channel. Now it's one of the top 10 watched channels on Openview.

SABC Encore catered toward 18-49 of the 80s and 90s serving up content like 'Sgudi 'Snaysi, Agter Elke Man, Interster, Ubambo Lwami, Pumpkin Patch, Dikolong and Hlala Kwabafileyo, among many others.

 

The channel ran on DStv for approximately 3 years and the additional 2 years were served as open window kind of like EVA and Disney XD where they filled up the schedule with repeats to sort of distance viewers before closing off a channel.

The SABC's reason to zombify had to do with those 2 remaining years as MultiChoice opted to scrap the channel. Although no reason for the dismissal was given there could be a few theories that led to this decision.

Firstly, SABC Encore featured too much repeats and old programming which not a lot of viewers of this generation would follow which could explain the pop-up focus on being a catch-up to the modern SABC 1-3.

Another reason had to do with exclusivity, MultiChoice carried the second most watched channel SABC News alongside SABC Encore which again was all repeats and considering how much money was wasted on the channel. MultiChoice saw no reason in having it on an exclusive basis.

The SABC is set to unveil a couple of new channels alongside their OTT platform before the end of the current financial year and these supposed channels will be bundled on the platform alongside the existing batch of channels like SABC 1-3, Sport and Education.

 

MultiChoice is expected to get 3 channels, Openview and likely StarSat are waiting on 2 channels from the public broadcaster.

The SABC has tested out a brand under the branding, SABC Encore. As stated by the public broadcaster, the new channels or at least the two Openview consumers are waiting on will have existing content and as more consumers follow the channel they'll shift the percentages to make room for fresher entertainment.

If SABC Encore (or as it was initially registered SABC Entertainment) were to return questions kind amount to what type of offering should viewers expect from this supposed channel.

Despite being outdated, SABC Encore was a mashup of SABC 1-3 so I'm not expecting another eExtra to comes out of the rumoured SABC Encore.

eMedia serves as an entertainment brand while the SABC just wants to offer a little bit of everything seen on DStv. eMedia offers movies, drama series and reality shows but with the SABC they incorporate that into the local market which might be the outcome of this supposed channel.

 

MultiChoice did highlight some discrepancies about e.tv channels one of which were the failure to offer local programming and reduce the level of repetition which eMedia was able to counterclaim but still couldn't keep their channels onboard.

Instead of getting more alternatives to Telemundo which is what several angry DStv customers are hoping for within the replacement. Viewers will likely get another Mpuma Kapa or Soweto TV which is in no way competition but better in terms of quality.

Summary: Government To Update Viewers On The Progress Of Digital Migration And Unveil A Further Set Of Channels

1.  Introduction

1.1. Many developments involving the Broadcast Digital Migration (BDM) and Analogue Switch-Off (ASO) have taken place since our last media briefing on the 24 November 2021 and my SONA debate address on the 15th of February 2022.

1.1.1. The Minister of Communications & Digital Technologies determined and gazetted the 31st of March 2022 as the end of dual illumination period and the Analogue Switch-Off (ASO) date.

1.1.2. The regulator, ICASA successfully concluded the auction of the high demand spectrum, raising the much-needed R14.4 billion for the national fiscus. This left the BDM process, particularly the analogue switch-off (ASO) with limited time to conclusion, for the National Treasury to access over R14 billion proceeds of the spectrum auction.
1.1.3. ICASA, announced a transitional period for the broadcasting service licensees and signal distributors to ensure a seamless transition process for the switch-off of the remaining analogue transmitters to end on 30 June 2022.

1.1.4. The Gauteng High Court ruled in favour of concluding the much-delayed broadcast digital migration but deferred the (ASO date to 30 June 2022 to allow the Minister to complete installations to households that has applied on 31st October 2021. It is important to indicate that, as usual, e-TV has since appealed this judgement.
1.1.5. The Minster of Trade, Industry and Competition has gazetted a request for comments on the DTIC’s intention to prohibit the importation of analogue television sets, to prohibit the dumping of analogue TV sets in South Africa whilst supporting the penetration of digital television viewing.

1.1.6. We have managed to conclude SABC analogue Switch-off in the five provinces of the Free-State, Northern Cape, North-West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. In the provinces where analogue has been switched-off, we have concluded a process of re-arranging spectrum (Restacking) in these 5 provinces thereby giving a way for the spectrum to be assigned for future technology usages.

 

 

2. Date for Final Switch- Off of Analogue Signal and the End of Dual Illumination Period

2.1. Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies in line with paragraph 3.3.1 of the Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy published in Government Notice No. 958, Government Gazette No. 31408 of 08 September 2008, as amended, determine the 31st of March 2022 as the date for the final switch-off of the analogue signal and the end of dual illumination.

2.2. The Minister had considered the two (2) conditions for the end of dual illumination period as set out in the Digital Migration Regulations published in Government Notice No. 1070, Government Gazette No. 36000 of 14 December 2012, and satisfied herself that these conditions have been met as follows: that the electronic communications network service licensee, SENTECH, appointed to provide signal distribution services to the SABC has ensured that the digital broadcast signal for the SABC has reached hundred percent (100%) through the terrestrial and the satellite networks; and that the coverage requirements for Multiplexes 1 and 2 based on the terrestrial television broadcasting service licensees licence conditions have been met, for those licensees who have appointed an electronic communications network service licensee to provide signal distribution services.

3. Gauteng High Court judgement and Progress with the Set Top Boxes (STBs) Installations

3.1. We welcomed the Gauteng High Court judgement including the deferment of the ASO Date from 31st March 2022 to 30 June 2022. The deferment is to give government sufficient time to complete installations of Set Top Boxes (STB) for households who have timeously registered and thus are entitled to receive their STBs before the analogue switch off. The 30 June 2022 date coincides with date ICASA has announced as the end of transitional period for the broadcasting services and signal distributors.

 

3.2. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies committed to ensure that the 507 251 households that registered by the 31 October 2021 have their STBs installed by no later than 30 June 2022 and same for those the High Court directed be installed by no later than 30 September 2022.

3.3. As of 25 April 2022, of the 507 251 households, we had distributed 258 821 STBs to the beneficiary households and 109 000 STBs installed, with 6973 beneficiaries not having been found at their registered addresses and could not be reached through the provided mobile numbers.

3.4. We are pleased to report the completion of installations to all households that registered and qualified by 31 October 2021 for the Gauteng province. The installations of STBs for those who applied by 31 October 2021 in Northern Cape should be concluded in the next few days. Equally, we are on course to completing the remaining installations in the months of May and June 2022.

4. Impact of the KZN and Eastern Cape floods disaster on the STBs installations

4.1. We are currently undertaking assessments on the impact of the recent floods in KZN and EC on both the households with installed STBs and the structural integrity and existence of houses of registered households awaiting installation of STBs.

4.2. We have adopted a three (3)-pronged approach, particularly in eThekwini and Ugu districts due to high number of registrations and high impact of the floods:

 

Quarantine the numbers to still be installed but working with Department of Human Settlements to verify the number of households both installed and awaiting installations to determine the extent of the damage to the homes for continuing installation or replacing damaged installations. We will communicate as soon as possible the number of households whose installations will be delayed as we await the resettlement process. 
For the registered households whose homes require re-settlement or repair, we will work with Human Settlements to ensure installations when repairs or resettlement is completed.
Continue with installations to the households whose homes physical structures were not damaged by the rains.

5.  End-of-Life Stage for Analogue Technology and Digital Television as a way of watching TV in South Africa

5.1. We have previously indicated that we have received correspondence from the Analogue Transmitters technology manufacturers and repairers that their last inventory stock hold was in 2018

5.2. On the 24th of February 2022, the Minster of Trade, Industry and Competition on behalf of the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa and following a request from the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, gazetted an Invitation for the Public to Comment on the Introduction of a Policy Directive on the Importation of Analogue Television Sets.

5.3. The intention of the Policy Directive is to prohibit importers, retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers from shipping to and importation of all analogue television sets classified under HS8528.7 after 31 March 2022.

5.4. Understanding that the retail market will have analogue TV sets, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies has commenced consultations with TV sets manufacturers and distributors within the country with the purpose of gazetting a Policy Directive to require for all Digital TV sets in South Africa to carry a Go Digital stamp to assist consumers from purchasing analogue TV sets.

 

5.5. Given the prevalence of Smart TVs in the country, SENTECH will commence a process to create a channel to carry streaming content or OTT from the current DTT/ DTH platform. More details will be shared during the Department’s Budget Vote speech on the 18th of May 2022.
5.6. We will also provide further details on additional channels on the DTT/ DTH platform during the Budget Vote Speech with the purpose of bring new and additional content with new owners as part of grow and diversifying South Africa’s creative industry. 

6. Conclusion

6.1. We are currently implementing an accelerated distribution and installation of STB’s drive in the remaining 4 provinces (Gauteng, Western-Cape, Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal) to ensure that we meet the deadline.

 

6.2. The government of South Africa remains committed to its objective of supporting indigent households to ensure universal access of digital services. We will commence with the end of September target immediately when we conclude a province, as it is a case in the Gauteng Province. We are also in a process of creating STB capacity for any subsequent registrations and placement in the retail market for future replacement and access to any requiring citizen.

6.3. We are continuing to increase our capacity to install more STB daily. SENTECH is out on a call for STB Installer applications to augment our installations capacity. Therefore, Sentech is constantly intensifying installer capacity nationally to ensure that all the registered and qualifying households are migrated within the set timelines.

MultiChoice Set To Add A Further 3 Channels From The SABC To Replace The 4 e.tv Channels On DStv

On Monday, the Competition Tribunal heard eMedia’s application for interim relief against MultiChoice’s decision to drop the eMovies, eMovies Extra, eExtra and eToonz channels from its DStv packages.

The broadcaster planned to suspend these channels from its service at the end of March 2022 but delayed the removals by two months after E-tv decided to take the issue to the Competition Commission.

eMedia Holdings legal counsel Tembeka Ngcukaitobi argued that MultiChoice’s decision amounted to a dominant player refusing to supply a scarce service, in contravention of the Competition Act Section 8. The company believes it will lose as much as 19% of its advertising revenue should the channels be suspended.

 

 

In his opening arguments on the matter, Ngcukaitobi stated that MultiChoice did not justify its decision during negotiations or in response to a letter of demand from eMedia.

MultiChoice had only stated the decision was based purely on commercial considerations.
It was only in its first answering affidavit to the case brought before the Competition Tribunal that MultiChoice elaborated. Initially, its rebuttal included that it had satellite capacity constraints.

MultiChoice said it had to cut eMedia’s four channels so it could accommodate three yet-to-be-launched SABC channels that it must carry under the changing legislation.

Ngcukaitobi also stressed that DStv doesn’t have to carry SABC’s additional channels immediately, but only sometime in the future following negotiations with the SABC.

 

 

A year ago, SABC officially unveiled their sports channel SABC Sport and a year prior SABC Education. On LyngSat, they registered three channels SABC Parliament, SABC Children and SABC Encore. Could any of these 5 channels be making their way to DStv?

SABC Encore has been rumoured for over a year as the public broadcaster offers it on DTT to broadcast sports and other events that weren't seen in the version that was made available on DStv. On top of the fact that the public broadcaster hoped to revive the channel.

SABC Education was meant to be on DStv and rival platform StarSat but the SABC was stalling so both brands removed further info about the channel on their website and i-Plate respectively.

The public broadcaster plans to launch more channels in the near future alongside a streaming service where these channels alongside SABC 1-3 will be available to stream.

Aside from DStv, the public broadcaster still has to launch a further two channels on the Openview platform as promised in 2021.

 

E-tv needs DStv
eMedia contends under the prevailing market dynamics, its channels were dependent on DStv to remain competitive. Ngcukaitobi argued presence on the DStv platforms allows E-tv to maintain customer contact, generate advertising revenue, and ensure a high-quality broadcasting service.

The company has also argued that carrying the four E-tv channels was economically feasible for MultiChoice, as eMedia provided them for free, and two were in DStv’s top 10 most popular channels.

MultiChoice’s other reasons for denying a carriage renewal agreement included that the channels did not meet its strategic objectives for local content, black empowerment, value propositions, and its aim to decrease the frequency of repeats.

Ngcukaitobi said MultiChoice’s claims that the decision was based on E-tv not meeting DStv’s strategic objectives were “contrived”.

He argued two of the four channels were sharply focused on local content, while eMedia was a majority black-owned business. He also maintained MultiChoice had not provided evidence it would replace the channels with other offerings that met its criteria.

Ngcukaitobi surmised that MultiChoice’s action was done from a desire to inflict harm on a potential rival by undercutting its revenue.

Roundups #28: M-Net Working On More Short Form Series As Lingashoni And The Queen Are Axed On 1Magic And Mzansi Magic, SABC Planning To Restructure Their Offering Ahead Of The Launch Of Its Unnamed OTT Service And, The Triplets Alongside New Episodes Of Roary The Racing Car Launches This April On JimJam Africa

M-Net calls it quits for these two series

“The Queen’s producers, Ferguson Films, will shoot Season 7 of the show, which will premiere in July 2022 and viewers will continue to enjoy the telenovela on their screens until its final episode airs on 13 January 2023,”.

“The 1Magic telenovela Lingashoni, produced by Stained Glass TV, will come to an end after its second season concludes on 16 March 2023. This follows the season’s premiere on 21 March 2022.”

A new telenovela will plug the gap on the weekday 9pm slot, replacing The Queen from January 2023. The new content, which is under development, will be announced in due course.

Meanwhile The River, a multi-award winning production, has been renewed for Season 5.

“Our replacement for Lingashoni will be announced in due course. The business has reviewed our approach to focus on stabilising the channel slate with limited high-end series and realities.”

Also read:
- The Scent Of Passion coming soon to Telemundo
- April on Honey
- March on TNT
- 7 Year Stitch coming soon to E!
- March on Curiosity
- March on Universal TV
- March on Studio Universal
- Simply Maria has a release date on TLNovelas
- Second batch of rumoured series coming to M-Net, 1Magic, Me and Showmax
- March on E!
- March on CBS Reality and CBS Justice
- March on History

Potential lineup changes coming to the SABC channels

As reported in the past week, the public broadcaster has pushed the launch for its new channels and OTT service to the next financial year which will end by March 2023.

These new channels are said to be made available on the untitled OTT service as predicted and plans are underway to redevelop the offering across all their television channels and radio stations ahead of the launch.

The public broadcaster wants to have a multi-OTT presence and just like Discovery Inc's Discovery+ they're not setting out to surpass Netflix or Showmax but to be sustainable for the years to come.

As mentioned a couple of times, the rumoured SABC Encore could be different to the one formerly seen on DStv and this info kind of proves my suspicions were pretty accurate.

Also read:
- SABC wants to launch a second sports channel
- Trollstopia coming soon to e.tv
- eExtra, eMovies, eMovies Extra and eToonz to stop airing on DStv
- Dokter Ali S2 coming in April to eExtra
- SABC will launch more HD channels and streaming service
- What to possibly expect on SABC's streaming service?
- Should eReality merge with News And Sport?
- Racing240 expands to Openview this April
- Doodsondes returning for a fourth season on eExtra
- Saloni and East Meets West coming soon to SABC 2

More kids entertainment for Easyview customers

PBS Kids which was available to DStv Premium, Compact+, Compact, Family and Access package will also be available on Easyview when eToonz goes off air from April meaning viewers get hours of Arthur, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Wild Kratts and more.

JimJam is also available on channel 310 and kids can look forward to the following titles in April:
• The Triplets S1
• Roary the Racing Car (new episodes)

Also read:
- Press release of DreamWorks Channel on DStv
- March on Disney Channel and Disney Junior
- March on Cartoon Network
- We Bare Bears coming to Cartoon Network in April
- Da Vinci Kids acquired rights to The Deep
- March on Da Vinci Kids
- Drafted results for Cartoon Network in March include Lego Batman
- March on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons
- Cartoonito expected to return to EMEA by mid 2022

SABC Encore Being Used As A Catch-Up Channel For Live Sports, Could This Be A Possible Hint On What To Expect From The Possible Revival?

Two years ago, SABC Encore ceased transmission on MultiChoice's DStv and since then several developments involving the channel went down. From hosting a memorial service for Tshepo Tsola to broadcasting CAF games all this coming from revamped SABC Encore channel.

It's evident that the public broadcaster hasn't given up on the brand and believe it could be of value to other consumers than it was on DStv as they've left a spot open for the channel on DTT and distribute the pop-up on TelkomOne.

As mentioned much earlier, SABC Encore broadcasted CAF games and a memorial service, content which is not that old as seen before with DStv customers so could it be possible that maybe the revival will be slightly different.

Instead of rehashing content from the 80s to 00s, SABC Encore will be no different to the Rewind channel currently packaged on the Openview platform which supplies content that has already or is currently being viewed on other stations.

Also read:
- SABC will launch more HD channels and streaming service
- SABC Encore and SABC Children channel might be in development for Openview
- The Vow coming soon to Zee One
- Indian horror Dayan, Destructive Beauty has a release date on eExtra
- eToonz needs these improvements
- Could eNCA launch on Openview?
- Should eReality merge with News And Sport?
- Why Openview has more Indian content?
- Doodsondes returning for a fourth season on eExtra
- Saloni and East Meets West coming soon to SABC 2
- Dokter Ali S2 coming in April to eExtra

Not too long ago, Rewind was more like SABC Encore but with a mixture of both local and international programming. As years went by, it became a catch-up channel kind of like eMedia's other brands eToonz.

Repeats don't often get high ratings especially if you live in 2022 where you have a brand like SABC 1 broadcast content from the time it was simply known as TV1. It's the reason you don't see Rewind airing old series like Madam & Eve and Backstage.

In the next financial period, the public broadcaster plans to launch more HD channels one of which possibly being SABC Encore as they did broadcast CAF and who'd want to watch that in poor quality. Time will only tell if this revival would be of any use to consumers or be treated in the same manner as its DStv counterpart.

Also read:
- What to possibly expect on SABC's streaming service?
- eVOD free data promotion was meant to end in January
- Balaji Telefilms unveils new content possibly for Glow TV, Zee One, eExtra and Star Life
- SABC wants to launch a second sports channel
- The Estate could be on the chopping block
- News And Sport set to go off air on Openview by the end of March
- Could Zee One be rebranding soon?
- The Homemaker, The Accidental Mayor and Happily Ever After coming soon to Star Life
- No free eVOD data on MTN
- A Promise Of Love coming soon to Glow TV
- Racing240 expands to Openview this April

You can also find me through the other platforms by pressing this link in brackets and if you're struggling to share the article through certain platforms use this link (Lnk.Bio).

SABC To Launch More HD Channels And Delayed Their Streaming Service To The Next Financial Year + Possible Outcomes For eMedia Investments Agreement With MultiChoice For eNCA (Still Involves Openview)

Upcoming developments for the SABC

In 2018, SABC had announced plans to launch a streaming service and since then it's been delayed likely due to their contract agreement with the Asian streaming service, VIU which bundles several shows from eMedia Investments such as Scandal and Imbewu.

Perhaps it will be called: SABC VOD, SABC Streaming, SABC On Demand, SABC iPlayer or SABC Plus/SABC+.

According to Madoda Mxakwe on CxO Series, the public broadcaster is expected to launch some HD channels likely the two long awaited channels on Openview one of which were rumoured to be SABC Encore while upgrading SABC Education to HD in the next financial year accompanied by an OTT service.

The public broadcaster stated in some documents that the streaming service will be available before the end of current financial year which is March 31st, 2022 and is anyone surprised that they've never reached the deadline.

For almost a year, Openview consumers have been waiting on the two channels promised to them by both eMedia Investments and the SABC in mid 2021. Since then several names pop-up part of which were part of their DTT plans and still need to be addressed: SABC Encore (as mentioned), SABC Parliament and SABC Children.

The future of eNCA and e.tv News

Every year, eMedia Investments and MultiChoice enter negotiations regarding the carriage agreement of eNCA alongside several other channels packaged by the eBrand.

For several years, eMedia Investments had expressed their frustration with MultiChoice as other brands such as Newsroom Afrika and SABC News make more money than them despite having the most watched news channel on their platform.

Also read:
- SABC Encore and SABC Children channel might be in development for Openview
- DreamWorks Channel will be added to MultiChoice's DStv
- Should eReality merge with News And Sport?
- The Estate cancelled only on SABC 1 for new drama series
- Warner Bros. Discovery potential channel closures
- A list of Afrikaans voice actors for Die Put and Droomvelore
- Why VH1 Classic was terminated on DStv?
- Lifetime could be on the chopping block on DStv
- Saloni and East Meets West coming soon to SABC 2
- Dokter Ali S2 coming in April to eExtra

News And Sport is set to go off air by the end of March on Openview and the retrenchments following onto eMedia Investments kind of lead to the question over the fate of e.tv News segments.

The NewsLink Block on eNCA is changing headquarters which was held in the same spot as e.tv News is moving to the spot renovated by eNCA on DStv with new anchors.

eNCA launching on Openview to some extent???

Regarding the upcoming agreement, is it possible that e.tv News and eNCA will be unified under one brand just like SABC News segments on SABC 1-3 with the linear channel on DStv.

SABC News is available on SABC's DTT but the likely reason is the limitations as the public broadcaster isn't selling them like hot cakes but putting up a fence requiring households with an income of less than R3200 to obtain them at their nearest post office.

Adding eNCA onto Openview was seen as a get out of jail free card for DStv customers who are fed up with the yearly increases and never ending repeats and MultiChoice didn't want any of that but how about a portion of the brand?

You can also find me through the other platforms by pressing this link in brackets and if you're struggling to share the article through certain platforms use this link (Lnk.Bio).