by Thinus Ferreira
I'm told that Niclas Ekdahl, MultiChoice Connected Video CEO, is out and has resigned from the pay-TV operator less than 2 years after he took the job, over "personal interests".
MultiChoice on Tuesday night in response to a late-night media enquiry from TVwithThinus confirmed Niclas Ekdahl's exit and said that Yolisa Phahle, currently CEO of general entertainment at MultiChoice, will take over Niclas Ekdahl's responsibilities as well for the time being.
Niclas Ekdahl joined MultiChoice in September 2018 and his resignation - without any announcement from MultiChoice - comes just a week after MultiChoice's video streaming service Showmax launched Showmax Pro as a folded-in sports content differentiator service supplied by SuperSport.
Niclas Ekdahl leaving comes before MultiChoice is supposed to roll out its so-called "DStv dishless" service, DStv Streaming, similar to its current DStv offering but not requiring installation or a physical satellite dish.
MultiChoice is also supposed to launch a new DStv Explora that will add the capability to deliver and will carry subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Joe Heshu, MultiChoice's group executive for corporate affairs, told TVwithThinus that "We can confirm that Connected Video CEO Niclas Ekdahl has decided to leave the MultiChoice Group to pursue personal interests".
"We are grateful for his contribution in which he oversaw the growth of the Showmax and DStv Now platforms. We wish Niclas well in his future endeavours. Yolisa Phahle will now take over the leadership of our Connected Video business in addition to general entertainment."
Asked how Niclas Ekdahl's absence will influence or impact on MultiChoice existing plans, research and development and service roll-outs, Joe Heshu said that "the work of our Connected Video business unit continues".
