South Africa’s struggling pay-TV operator TopTV is arguing that its heavyweight rival Multichoice is acting in an anti-competitive manner.

TopTV’s parent company with South Africa’s Competition Commission by On Digital Media (ODM) itself in the process of being bought by China-backed StarTimes Group, lodged a formal complaint some months ago, although the complain is still being processed by the Commission.

Fresh detailsl on the specifics of the claim have now emerged. ODM argues that it has asked Multichoice to allow ODM access to its SuperSport3 and SuperSport4 channels for a fee.

MultiChoice are accused of refusing TopTV access to its SuperSport channels and offering a stripped-down sports channel instead that would only feature two live football matces per week from a secondary league (La Liga).  Talks around this channel reportedly broke down shortly before the launch of TopTV.

Other posts by :

1. Amazon Leo gets approval for 4,504 extra satellites
2. SpaceX gets a portion of India
3. TerreStar wants to build LEO network
4. Musk: “No Starlink phone”
5. Russia accused of eavesdropping on satellites
6. FCC welcomes Musk’s 1m satellite plan
7. Telesat has problems with an LEO
8. Orbital debris a real danger 
9. India boosts space budget

Categories: Articles, Broadcast, Pay TV