South Africa

MultiChoice to lay off 2,000 in restructuring of customer care

South Africa’s MultiChoice is planning to lay off over 2,000 employees, according to press reports. According to Reuters, the pay TV outfit has launched a consultation to cute 2,194 positions, principally in customer care call centres and walk-in centres. The company said it was restructuring its customer care operations in response to changes in consumer […]

‘Drowning in debt’ SABC on brink of collapse

The South African Broadcasting Company (SABC) is “drowning in debt” and requires a Rand 3.2 billion (€1.9bn) injection from the government in order to avoid a shutdown. To make matters worse, the organisation says that it might not be able to pay employee salaries for the month of June. Speaking with the Sunday Times, SABC […]

Nielsen expands measurement for YouTube app on mobile to 26 new countries

Nielsen has expanded its advertising measurement to YouTube’s mobile app. Nielsen Digital Ad Ratings for YouTube Mobile will be available in 26 new markets: Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and […]

ICASA searches for new chair as Mohlalogo gets 20-year jail term

South African media and telecom regulator ICASA is looking for a new acting chairman following the sentencing of incumbent Rubben Mohlaloga for fraud. Communications minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, acting on a resolution of the country’s national assembly, this week removed Mohlaloga from office. He had already been suspended on March 15 following a resolution of the […]

PCCW launches Viu in South Africa

PCCW has launched Viu in South Africa, marking the over-the-top service’s seventeenth country launch. Viu South Africa is available as a freemium service and offers local and regional content from partners Vodacom, SABC and Etv, alongside Viu originals. “We are excited to be bringing a truly ‘freemium’ video streaming service anchored on local content to […]

MultiChoice lists on Johannesburg exchange

Naspers-backed MultiChoice Group’s shares rose respectably yesterday after the company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The new listed company includes MultiChoice South Africa, MultiChoice Africa Holdings, SVOD outfit Showmax, digital platform security provider Irdeto, and all their subsidiaries and affiliates. However, a slight shadow was cast over the listing by regulator Icasa, which expressed […]

Netflix bags second South African series

Netflix has signed a deal for its second South African series, teen-led drama Blood & Water, continuing its investment in the African region. The series, directed by Nosipho Dumisa, is expected to launch globally on the platform in 2020. Blood & Water will feature an up-and-coming South African cast and be filmed later this year. It follows […]

Naspers to spin off MultiChoice at end of February

South African conglomerate Naspers is to move ahead with its spin-off of pay TV group MultiChoice on February 27, giving Naspers shareholders a direct stake in the pay TV outfit and listing the company on the Johannesburg stock exchange. In its statement ahead of the listing on the Johannesburg stock exchange, Naspers said that it […]

Naspers names new MultiChoice management team

South African conglomerate Naspers has named a new leadership team for soon-to-be spun-off pay TV arm MultiChoice under a new CEO, Calvo Mawela. Mawela will take over as CEO of the new group, which encompasses MultiChoice South Africa, MultiChoice Africa, OTT TV arm Showmax Africa and content security specialist Irdeto, from November 1. He is […]

South Africa adopts new market-driven strategy for 2020 digital switchover

The long-delayed digital switchover in South Africa will now take place by July 2020 at the latest following the implementation of a “revised delivery model”, according to communications minister Nomvula Mokonyane. Speaking at a media briefing on DSO alongside Free State premier Sis Ntombela, Mokonyane said that the government was committed to getting the project […]

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