- South Africa's Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie is pushing to end MultiChoice’s DStv monopoly on live sports broadcasting through SuperSport, which it has held for years.
- The Minister stated that he is prepared to “go to war” against the broadcasters if they do not reach a resolution allowing all South Africans to watch their national sports teams.
McKenzie's stance means eMedia won’t be fighting alone. eMedia had sued MultiChoice, claiming the broadcaster violated a tribunal order in its agreement with the SABC.
MultiChoice’s exclusive rights to broadcast sports, including national rugby and cricket matches, have sparked conflicts with eMedia and the SABC over broadcasting rights.
In early July, eMedia filed with the Competition Appeal Court against SABC and MultiChoice's SuperSport, claiming the PayTV company breached an April 2024 Competition Tribunal ruling. This ruling nullified agreements restricting SABC from broadcasting sports events on eMedia's platforms, including Openview.
Despite this, SABC and MultiChoice announced a new agreement to broadcast sports events, such as the T20 Cricket World Cup final and rugby test matches, on SABC platforms but not on Openview. eMedia sought relief to cancel the contract or allow the rugby matches to be shown on its platform.
Moreover, MultiChoice had rejected eMedia’s offer to broadcast Springbok rugby test matches against Ireland on Openview, citing the offer was too low.
On July 18, 2024, the Minister gave a “friendly warning” to broadcasters, stating that the national teams do not belong to MultiChoice, SABC, or eMedia, and should not be treated as if they do. He stressed that he wouldn’t stand by while the majority of South Africans are unable to watch national rugby or soccer teams and indicated he would use legislation to address the issue.
"There exists legislation — which has never been used — that prevents them from engaging in the current action that they are engaging in,” said McKenzie. “I intend to fully use that legislation. We are meeting with them. As we say, we come in peace, but if they want war, they will get war.”
Access to the full range of SuperSport channels is exclusive to the top-tier DStv Premium, costing R929 for satellite viewers and R799 for streaming viewers, putting access out of reach for much of the South African public.
Moreover, in Nigeria, MultiChoice was taken to court by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over alleged unfair price hikes in DStv and GOtv subscriptions. However, the case was recently withdrawn and dismissed.
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Still recall that, MultiChoice is on the verge of being acquired by a French media company Canal+.
