South Africa

Kwesé Free TV gets green light from South African regulator

South Africa’s media and communications regulator ICASA has confirmed that it is granting a commercial free-to-air TV licence to Kwesé Free TV. The watchdog said that Kwesé Free TV’s proposed service complied with the relevant South African laws and met a market need. It also judged that the outfit’s business plan and means of financial […]

Kwesé TV shuts down as Econet blames Zimbabwe economic crisis

Econet Media’s pan-African satellite TV service Kwesé TV is shutting down today, with parent company Econet Wireless blaming economic conditions in its home territory of Zimbabwe and the difficulty in securing foreign currency to pay suppliers. Zimbabwe ceased to recognise the US dollar and South African rand, as well as other foreign currencies, as legal […]

New corporate affairs chief for MultiChoice Africa

South African pay TV operator MultiChoice has named Reatile Tekateka as executive head of corporate affairs for MultiChoice Africa Holdings, its pan-African arm. Tekateka, who will report to MultiChoice Africa CEO Hennie Visser, was previously managing director of PR agency Joe Public United. She has also served as head of PR and communication at pan-African […]

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 […]

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