COMMUNICATIONS REGULATOR
Icasa presses on with plans to open up pay TV
The Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) is forging ahead with its plans to open up the pay-TV market amid objections by MultiChoice, the dominant pay-TV operator in the country. In May, the communications regulator held oral hearings in an inquiry about subscription television broadcasting services. MultiChoice, which owns DStv, dominates the market in part because it has exclusive contracts for premium and international content. The company has exclusive rights to broadcast football, particularly the globally watched English Premier League. In a bid to break the stranglehold on the pay-TV market and to facilitate the entry of new players, Icasa is considering introducing a raft of measures, including shared sports rights and shortening contract periods. Icasa spokesman Paseka Maleka said on Monday the regulator was analysing the submissions. "We will subsequently publish the draft findings document for further consultation. The plan is to publish the final findings d...
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