Veteran producer André Scholtz dead at 79 after losing his battle against cancer

by Thinus Ferreira 

The prolific and veteran South African film and TV producer André Scholtz died on Monday morning after he lost his battle against cancer. He was 79.

André Scholtz worked for five decades in South Africa's film and TV industry and was a producer and co-producer of more than 29 full-length feature films, as well as seven drama and comedy series for the SABC, M-Net, as well as kykNET.

André Scholtz was the producer or co-producer since 1985 of multiple Leon Schuster films like You Must be Joking, You Must be Joking Too, Sweet 'n Short, Oh Shucks it's Schuster, Oh Shucks Here Comes Untag, Kwagga Strikes Back, Yankee Zulu, Zulu on my Stoep, The Millennium Menace, Panic Mechanic, Shucks Your Country Needs You, Oh Shucks I'm Gatvol, Shucks Pay Back the Money and 2014's Frank & Fearless.

In 2022 André Scholtz produced his final Leon Schuster film, Mr Bones 3: Son of Bones.

He produced 2016's Paw Paw vir my Darling and 2017's Meerkat Maantuig.

Before André Scholtz became a producer he was the financial and planning manager for Ster-Kinekor Films. He completed a masters degree in business leadership while he worked at Ster-Kinekor Films.

He was a production manager on the films Liefste Veertjie, Ter will van Christine, Vergeet my Nie, 'n Beeld vir Jeannie, 'n Sondag in September, as well as Kom tot Rus. 

As an actor André Scholtz appeared in Die Eensame Vlug, Soweto Green, Panic Mechanic and in Babalas, and was also the screenwriter for Panic Mechanic.

André Scholtz was an associate producer on 1977's Dingetjie & Idi and also produced the films Diament en die Dief, Die Eensame Vlug, Hersfland, Skelms, April 1980, Jopie Fourie, Ek Joke Net, Ek Joke Net 2, Rainbow Skellums, Hond se Dinges, Running Riot, as well as 2012's Angus Buchan's Ordinary People.

He was also the producer of films like Die Wonderwerker, Babalas, Suurlemoen!, Fees van die Ongenooides, as well as Toorbos with his son Dries Scholtz.

For television André Scholtz produced the Amalia, Dryfsand and Pandjieswinkelstories TV series for kykNET, SABC2's Andries Plak and Die Uwe Pottie Potgieter. He was the owner of Krisan Productions.

SABC News journalists in disciplinary action after viewers hear their shocking hot mic comments during Pravin Gordhan funeral

Thinus Ferreira

Two SABC News journalists are facing disciplinary action after damaging the South African public broadcaster's credibility and causing massive embarrassment for their crass and shocking comments during the live funeral broadcast of former South African minister Pravin Gordhan while they were unaware that their microphones were on and that viewers could hear everything.

The identities of the two female journalists are not yet known.

Shocked SABC News (DStv 404) viewers got an earful and forced the SABC to apologise to Pravin Gordhan's family for the crass, shocking and extremely insensitive comments SABC News journalists made when they thought they were off the air during his category 2 funeral service.

During the live broadcast of six hours, the two women repeatedly made vulgar and nasty comments while visuals of Pravin Gordhan's coffin were shown, while draped in turn with the ANC flag, and later the South African flag. 

They also made nasty comments while government officials and other dignitaries, his daughters and family members spoke on stage at the Durban International Conference Centre.

With the funeral procession following the funeral service and with the South African flag on the coffin underway to the crematorium, more disgusting comments were made. 

Viewers heard how the journalists laughed and rhetorically asked who Pravin Gordhan thought he was to deserve these flags on his coffin. 

With duration to the length of the funeral proceedings, they said he wouldn't be collected by the ancestors because they got tired and that his soul would just become a ghost. 

They also branded Pravin Gordhan a white capitalist. 

Neither the journalists nor the SABC's technical team realised that their microphones remained switched on while they should have been muted and that they remained on in what the industry calls "hot mics", while viewers heard everything.

So bad was the SABC's coverage flub that the SABC was forced to censor its own recording of its funeral coverage broadcast.

In the SABC's censored recording there are sections where the sound has been completely removed, sections that have been completely cut, as well as sections where the visual and soundtrack are both replaced by a title card showing a photo of Pravin Gordhan. It happens throughout the broadcast. 

On YouTube, the SABC has censored the funeral broadcast's live chat replay function and completely deleted it.

In this chat box, while the funeral was watched live, or watched as a recording, real-time comments from viewers appeared on 20 September where they warned and told the SABC about what it was doing, asked what was going on and why nobody was stopping the fiasco.

Moshoeshoe Monare, SABC News boss, has since been forced to "sincerely apologise" to the family and friends of Pravin Gordhan "after two of our journalists were heard making the most insensitive and unprofessional remarks during the live funeral service coverage".

"Even though the journalists were unaware that their mic was open, their conduct and comments were inexcusable. Their remarks do not represent the values, views and editorial policy of SABC News," Moshoeshoe Monare said.

Mmoni Seapolelo, SABC media manager, said "The SABC is aware of the incident and would like to place it on record that it condemns the actions of the journalists concerned".

"This incident is regrettable as the SABC always encourages all its employees to deliver their work in a diligent and professional manner in line with its values of respect, trust, integrity and quality. This matter is being addressed internally and the SABC has also apologised publicly and to the Gordhan family."

The Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) told TVwithThinus that by Saturday it hadn't received any complaints from viewers. Viewers however indicated that they have complained directly with the SABC.

BREAKING. Acting NFVF CEO Thobela Mayinje on 'administrative leave' for 2 months already pending investigation 'for numerous allegations', NFVF Council disbanded

by Thinus Ferreira

The NFVF took two months to reveal today that Thobela Mayinje, the acting CEO of South Africa's struggling National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) had been placed on "administrative leave" since two months ago, 30 July, "pending an investigation for numerous allegations" and that the NFVF Council has been disbanded.

South Africa's department of sport, arts and culture and the NFVF have dragged their feet in appointing a permanent new CEO, with Thobela Mayinje who have been acting in the position since April 2023 for a year and a half already, since Makhosazana Khanyile left.

The department of sport, arts and culture has placed Lebogang Mogoera, a chief director in the department as the latest acting NFVF CEO in the interim. 

The department has also ordered the NFVF to advertise for the position of a new permanent CEO. The NFVF Council has also been dissolved.

"The NFVF in a statement says "Following the dissolution of the NFVF Council, the department of sport, arts and culture has started with a process to establish an interim accounting authority while a legislative process of constituting a fully constituted Council is underway".

"The interim measure will ensure that processes of the entity are not disrupted and the industry needs are met."

In mid-July, shortly before Thobela Mayinje was placed on administrative leave, South Africa's new sports, arts and culture minister Gayton McKenzie slammed South Africa's National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of, and funded by, his department, saying "there is a big problem at the National Film and Video Foundation".

"It can't be that all the people in the arts are complaining. There must be a problem there. We must address that problem. We are here to fix things. We are not here for self-aggrandisement. We are here to fix stuff and to work together."

In June South African filmmakers reacted with fury over the NFVF's latest red carpet champagne junket to the 77th Cannes Film Festival - a visit that once again excluded media, but included a gaggle of NFVF and other officials and cost millions.

Adding insult to injury: It took the NFVF a month after returning to South Africa to put out a badly done, bland press release about what the NFVF did in Cannes, with no exposure or local coverage in the media about what the NFVF's work and interaction there entailed.

The NFVF - funded by South African taxpayers, spent big to take 40 people from South Africa's film industry together with NFVF staffers and acting NFVF CEO Thobela Mayinje to the French Riviera for so-called "exposure" and networking.

NFVF chairperson Tholoana Ncheke-Mahlaela also went along.

The ongoing NFVF instability will cause renewed embarrassment for the beleaguered agency which is supposed to put on the 18th South African Film and Television Awards in October in Johannesburg.

The 18th SAFTAs craft awards is earmarked for 25 October as a YouTube broadcast with the main awards set for 26 October as a simulcast on SABC3 and MultiChoice's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) channel.

Sky sues Warner Bros. Discovery over withholding 'highly valuable' Harry Potter series, WBD says lawsuit is Sky's 'baseless' attempt to get HBO shows after 2025

by Thinus Ferreira

Comcast's Sky in the United Kingdom is dragging Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) to court over the upcoming Harry Potter drama series and is suing WBD for allegedly withholding the option for Sky to become a co-producer on the show and being in breach of a multi-year contract to partner on shows.

In a lawsuit that Sky filed late on Friday in a New York federal court, Sky says that WBD is in breach of a contract, signed in 2019 whereby WBD was supposed to offer Sky at least four TV shows, made for its Max streaming service, which Sky could pick from to co-produce.

Sky says WBD "fell far short of that mark" for the entire duration of the contract, that WBD deliberately didn't offer Harry Potter, and is deliberately keeping Harry Potter for itself for its own potential gain as "the cornerstone of the launch of its Max streaming service in Europe".

Harry Potter which is expected to run for a decade as a TV series is supposed to debut its first season in 2016.

It is still unclear whether Harry Potter will be on M-Net (DStv 101) on MultiChoice's DStv in South Africa but the odds increased tremendously after Harry Potter switched to become an HBO Original in June.

In its statement, Sky says it is taking WBD to court "to safeguard our interests and enforce our rights to partner in the production and distribution of highly valuable content".

"Warner has repeatedly failed to offer Sky the annually required minimum number of contractually qualifying series for its consideration," Sky says.

"Specifically, Warner was obligated to present Sky with at least 4 shows per year across 2021, 2022, and 2023 but undisputedly fell far short of that mark, in certain years offering barely a single qualifying series while also withholding critical, contractually required information necessary for Sky to evaluate any potential options that it did receive."

According to Sky, "This misconduct has deprived Sky of its bargained-for opportunity to co-fund, co-produce, and subsequently exploit exclusively in the UK and European territories all manner of top-end Warner content."

"If all that were not enough, Warner has now even brazenly denied Sky its right to partner on Warner's highly valuable decade-long, tentpole television series adapting J.K. Rowling's iconic Harry Potter novels, set to premiere in 2026 or 2027."

"Instead, Warner has largely disregarded the parties' agreement and sought to keep the Harry Potter content for itself so that Warner can use it as the cornerstone of the launch of its Max streaming service in Europe."

According to Sky's 2019 deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, "For each calendar year from 2021 through 2025, Sky shall be presented with all qualifying HBO Max original series, and not less than 4 in any event, that are one hour slot length in duration per episode, intended to be multi-season, produced by WBTV or HBO Max for premiere on HBO Max, and which are ordered within the applicable year to a first season. Sky shall select a minimum of 2 new series per year".

Sky says "We continue to work constructively with Warner Brothers Discovery and have a separate agreement in place that will ensure Sky customers continue to enjoy HBO shows, including new seasons, such as House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, The White Lotus and Euphoria, along with exciting new releases such as Dune: Prophecy, and many more for years to come".

WBD in a statement says WBD's licensing agreements with Sky will all expire at the end of 2015 and that Sky's lawsuit is " a baseless attempt by Sky and Comcast to try and gain leverage in its negotiations for our programming beyond that date".

"We know HBO branded shows are critical to Sky, as evidenced by their desire for over a year to find a way to renew our agreements, and this lawsuit makes it clear that Sky is deeply concerned about the viability of its business were it to lose our award-winning content."

"WBD will vigorously defend itself from this unfounded lawsuit as we move forward undeterred with plans to launch Max, including the new HBO Harry Potter series, in the UK and other European markets in 2026."

ALSO READ: Harry Potter series to debut in 2026.

ALSO READ: No Penguin but Harry Potter and Green Lanterns series will now be seen on M-Net in South Africa after Warner Bros. Discovery switches them to HBO Originals.

Film Cape Town opens applications for financial support through its new Film Support Fund

by Thinus Ferreira

The City of Cape Town's Film Office has opened applications for its new Film Support Fund which will provide financial support for various film projects done in Cape Town.

Filmmakers now have until 20 October to apply with applications and supporting documentation that should be sent to Film.Fund@capetown.gov.za, with the Film Support Fund that will provide financial support for short films, feature films, music videos, commercials, and reality TV series.

The aim of Film Cape Town and its new Film Support Fund is to support local film production in Cape Town and to create job opportunities through the broader film and media production industry.

The film fund also aims to support emerging film talent through training in Cape Town.

"With this film fund, the city wants to ensure that we provide further support to an industry that already creates over 30 000 jobs and contributes to attracting direct investment into Cape Town," says Alderman JP Smith, mayoral committee member for safety and security.

"We believe this film fund has the potential to assist the local film industry to not only reduce the burden of production costs but also to help the sector improve its ability to attract international work currently going to other film territories overseas."

"We would like to encourage members of the local television, media and film sectors to make use of this resource that enables them to focus on the creative and storytelling."

Cape Town's film office is looking for projects that stimulate local economic growth and create jobs, highlight and promote unique aspects of Cape Town, support emerging talent, drive diversity and inclusion with the local film and media landscape, portray Cape Town's rich history and cultural heritage, and can drive direct investment into Cape Town.

Film Cape Town wants to support production, post-production funding for short films, feature films such as animation, interactive gaming, as well as live-action and would also consider music videos, commercials, reality TV series, film and media training initiatives, as well as film and media projects or innovative projects that are aligned with the city's strategic objectives.

Film Cape Town won't fund adult content, training videos or corporate videos, current affairs or news shows, or the buying of equipment or assets. The funding application form is on the Film Cape Town website.

China and Russia muscle in on the African Union of Broadcasting as they expand their AUB influence with 4 new member seats

by Thinus Ferreira

China and Russia have both expanded their influence within the African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) this month, adding four out of the six new member seats.

China Media Group (CMG), Russia Today (RT), China National Television Radio (NRTA) and Sputnik were all added as members to the AUB in mid-September during the 15th general assembly of the AUB which took place in Gaborone, Botswana.

Voice of America (VOA) and the Muslim Television Association were the other two out of the six new member seats added.

The AUB says "These new memberships strengthen the AUB network and open up new perspectives for international cooperation in the media".

Grégoire Ndjaka, AUB director-general, says "The 15th general assembly of the AUB in Gaborone was a resounding success, particularly in terms of organisation, the number of participants, the arrival of half a dozen new members from several continents including the Americas and Asia, which testifies to the openness and growing influence of the AUB".

Liberia's state TV boss retaliates and demands DStv Liberia shuts down after MultiChoice refused to carry its LNTV for free.

by Thinus Ferreira

Liberia's dictatorial state TV boss is demanding the immediate shutdown of MultiChoice Liberia as a private pay-TV company in the struggling West African country, after MultiChoice Liberia refused to add and carry its LNTV channels on DStv Liberia's service for free.

Eugene Fahngon, the director-general of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), Liberia's state-controlled broadcaster that runs LNTV, on Tuesday at a hastily arranged press conference demanded that MultiChoice Liberia be shut down for refusing to carry LNTV for free on DStv.

MultiChoice Liberia is run by LIBMAX Consolidated Group Incorporated (LIBMAX), a local concession agency of MultiChoice Africa.

Mary Williams, CGI's general manager for content at MultiChoice Liberia, revealed at a press conference over the weekend that Eugene Fahngon wants to destroy DStv Liberia.

Together with the politician and businessman Simeon Freeman, through the Liberian government's House of Representatives, Eugene Fahngon allegedly wants to shut down DStv Liberia after LIBMAX refused to add and carry the state-run LNTV channels to DStv.

The Liberian Observer reports that LIBMAX and MultiChoice Liberia told LBS and Eugene Fahngon that it can't uplink and broadcast LBS's LNTV channels for free, which is expensive.

MultiChoice Liberia told Eugene Fahngon that LBS would have to pay $38 000 per month for LBS' LNTV to be added to DStv, which Eugene Fahngon rejected. He then decided to retaliate against MultiChoice Liberia and now wants to get it shut down.

Eugene Fahngon said on Tuesday "The Liberia Broadcasting System will not pay a dime to DStv for the inclusion of our national broadcaster".

He also cited regulations claiming that the LBS controls and oversees all pay-TV services in Liberia to make sure they provide so-called local content.

Eugene Fahngon also slammed MultiChoice Liberia for having a "control system" he and LBS can't control and which is therefore not a proper control system and another reason why DStv Liberia should be shut down.

According to Mary Williams, Eugene Fahngon told DStv Liberia in a meeting that LBS is working on its own subscription-based pay-TV service which will cost $5 and which will be in direct competition with DStv Liberia.

The Liberian Investigator reports that Mary Williams accuses Eugene Fahngon of making politically motivated demands and unreasonably expecting LIBMAX and pressuring the company to offer the state-run TV channels for free.

"It costs money, equipment and several other requirements to be on satellite. We as an agent in Liberia cannot unilaterally put any content, including LBS, on the platform," she said.

She revealed that LIBMAX wrote to Eugene Fahngon in July to set up a meeting and explain the procedures involved, but that he failed to show up. A second meeting was then scheduled and took place, during which Eugene Fahngon demanded that MultiChoice Liberia uplink LBS to DStv for free.

"He insisted that as a government-owned broadcaster LBS should be exempt from paying for services but I explained that it doesn't work that way because we are just an agent of DStv here in Liberia."

"We saw no reason to continue discussions after learning that LBS was offering similar services, effectively making us competitors in the market."

She said LIBMAX is disappointed with Eugene Fahngon who can't dictate how LIBMAX is supposed to run DStv Liberia as a private company.

"I am surprised that after our interaction with Eugene Fahngon he chose to take this route. It is becoming more political than professional." She said LIMBAX's "legal team is fully briefed and prepared to take action if necessary".

Botswana to set up film commission, create film fund with help from Steve Harvey

Thinus Ferreira

Botswana's government is working to create the country's first-ever film commission, as well as a film fund, and is also busy with building out film studio capacity to rapidly expand the Southern African country's film and TV output capability.

The government is working with the American entertainer Steve Harvey and his Steve Harvey Global company, as well as Duncan Irvine, the founder and CEO of Forge Ignite Media & Entertainment, a film and TV consultancy. Irvine is the director of the Botswana Ignite project.

The aim of Botswana Ignite is to rapidly expand the country's TV and film sector, to make it commercially viable, to create local content and to aggressively attract international production work.

The project has also set up a TV academy for Botswana in the capital of Gaborone that just started offering courses in scripted and unscripted content, as well as a specialist wildlife film school in Kasane that specialises in natural history film production.

"Botswana has diamonds but we want to expand our creative industry. Steve Harvey visited and decided to help us with our vision," Goitsemang Morekisi, secretary for the ministry of state president, said at MIP Africa 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa.

"In 10 years Botswana will become one of the top film industries on the African continent," Harvey said.

"Nigeria and South Africa have a headstart by leaps and bounds in capability - make no mistake about it. They have a real film and TV industry, everything is here, they have real production companies and infrastructure - everything is here."

"What I'm trying to get Africa to understand is how to take advantage of all this rich talent that is on this continent and to get the opportunity to work," he said.

Duncan Irvine said Botswana Ignite is also helping the Botswana government to set up a governmental film rebate scheme that will be structured "to accelerate and fuel the country's film economy and for people to create production companies because local production companies in Botswana will be the engine building the next generation".

He says "Botswana has a very small but very passionate film and TV industry but it's been quite inwardly focused".

"It's been Botswana Television (Btv), YTV and that's where producers have been selling their shows to, and to South Africa in particular and some have left Botswana to go and work overseas. Part of the excitement is that we're trying to attract a lot of those experienced people back."

Steve Harvey said, "this programme we're doing here in Botswana - my goal is to take it to other countries around Africa - so that you can eventually go anywhere in Africa and be a cameraman, can go anywhere and be a set designer, you can go anywhere and do lighting".

On 12 September a Botswana adaptation of the Family Feud competition show, Family Feud Botswana, starts recording.

Steve Harvey said "next year we're going to have more studio space built. We've already located some areas and we are going to have these studios built there and then we're going to attract outside business through film tax rebates."

'The caveat is going to be: You can't bring your foreign company to Botswana unless you hire 25% local people from Botswana or else you can't do it. What are they going to say? No. They will say yes because they want the tax rebate."

MultiChoice Namibia hikes prices by up to 3%

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Namibia is the latest country where DStv subscribers are getting another price hike, as confirmed by MultiChoice Namibia spokesperson Elzita Beukes.

MultiChoice Namibia is hiking DStv Premium by 2.6% from N$960 to N$985. 

DStv Compact Plus is increased 3% from N$655 to N$675, while DStv Compact is being increased 3.1% from N$480 to N$495.

MultiChoice Nigeria is increasing DStv Family by 2.7% from N$360 to N$370. DStv Lite remains unchanged at N$110 per month.

MultiChoice and NBCUniversal pump further $164 million in funding into joint Showmax streamer venture

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice and NBCUniversal have pumped another $164 million (R2.8billion) in funding into its relaunched Showmax streamer joint venture.

NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast, acquired a 30% stake in the so-called "Showmax 2.0", a relaunched streaming effort to take on Netflix in Africa through the holding company Showmax Africa Holdings Limited (SMAH).

MultiChoice and NBCUniversal had already invested $120 million in Showmax by 31 March 2024, and has now funnelled another $164 million into the streamer since April.

MultiChoice and NBCUniversal want to try and catch up with Netflix's frontrunner status in Africa and are pumping millions of dollars into Showmax during its investment phase, while MultiChoice is commissioning local Showmax Originals in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, while Comcast is providing licensed content from NBCU, Universal Pictures, Peacock and Sky.

MultiChoice in an announcement on Thursday, said "Since 1 April, MultiChoice and NBCUniversal provided, $164 million in equity funding to SMAH, each in proportion of their respective shareholdings".

India investigating Netflix for visa violations and racial discrimination

by Aditya Kalra and Krishn Kaushik, Reuters

India is investigating the business practices of streaming giant Netflix's local operations, including allegations of visa violations and racial discrimination, according to a government email sent to a former executive. 

The details of India's investigation were included in a 20 July email, reviewed by Reuters, which was written by a home ministry official to Netflix's former director of business and legal affairs for India, Nandini Mehta, who left the company in 2020.

"This is regarding visa and tax violations concerns regarding the business practices of Netflix in India," wrote Indian official Deepak Yadav from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) of the home ministry in New Delhi.

"We have received certain details in this regard with respect to the stated company's conduct, visa violation, illegal structures, tax evasion and other malpractices including incidents of racial discrimination that company has been engaged in while conducting its business in India," he added.

In an emailed statement, Mehta said she is pursuing a lawsuit in the United States against Netflix for alleged wrongful termination as well as racial and gender discrimination - charges the company denies. 

Mehta said she welcomed the Indian investigation and hopes the authorities make their findings public, but did not elaborate on the allegations made by the government. Yadav declined to comment, saying he was not authorized to speak to media.

The FRRO and India's home ministry did not respond to Reuters queries.

A Netflix spokesperson said the company was "unaware of an investigation by the Indian government".

The Indian official's email shows growing scrutiny of Netflix in India, where it has roughly 10 million users and which it considers a growth market where companies target affluent people in the nation of 1.4 billion people.

Over the years, the streaming giant has developed more local content featuring Bollywood actors.

It has also often faced heat in India over its content deemed insensitive by some users. This month, it was forced to add new disclaimers to an Indian series about a plane hijack after social media outrage and government anger over what they said was Muslim hijackers being shown as Hindus.

Seeking documents, US lawsuit

While it is known that Netflix has since 2023 faced an Indian tax demand - which it is challenging - the existence of a broader investigation into allegations including visa compliance and racial discrimination has not been previously reported.

The Indian government's email did not elaborate which agencies are looking at issues concerning Netflix. 

The FRRO works closely with home ministry's Intelligence Bureau, the domestic intelligence agency, and is the main agency looking into foreigners' visa compliance and permissions to visit so-called "sensitive" regions.

Mehta worked at the company's Los Angeles and Mumbai offices from April 2018 to April 2020, her LinkedIn profile shows. The Indian government email asked her to provide "details/documents" as she was a former legal executive of the company.

In 2021, Mehta sued Netflix in Los Angeles County Superior Court in California for alleged wrongful termination and racial and gender discrimination, among other things, U.S. court filings show.

Netflix has in U.S. court denied "each and every allegation" and said in its statement that Mehta was fired for repeatedly using her corporate credit card for tens of thousands of dollars in personal expenses.

Mehta said she will "continue to fight for justice." Her case is set for a status hearing on Monday in Los Angeles.

Half a million StarSat subscribers could be cut as On Digital Media that no longer has a licence defies South Africa's broadcasting regulator Icasa and says it 'will remain operational'

Thinus Ferreira

More than half a million StarSat subscribers could soon turn into bricks with 600 workers losing their jobs after the pay-TV operator failed to renew its broadcast licence but with a defiant StarSat operating illegally without a licence saying it’s not abiding by a shutdown order and will continue its service.

On Digital Media (ODM) was supposed to shut down last week Wednesday but defied an order from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa), after it was warned for months to cease operation by 18 September.

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) warned the public and industry on Friday after StarSat failed to shut down, about StarSat's "imminent exit from the subscription television market".

Icasa tells TVwithThinus that if the Chinese-run On Digital Media (ODM) refuses to shut down, Icasa will shut down the Midrand-based pay-TV operator.

Meanwhile, many of StarSat's half a million customers are wondering whether they should cancel debit orders which will be going through at the end of the month saying they're not getting answers to their questions from the company as customers, with staffers and installing agents who are also in the dark.

ODM's StarSat is the only South African competitor for MultiChoice's DStv in the pay-TV sector, but admits that it failed to renew its broadcast licence within the allowed timeframe.

Icasa told StarSat in March that it should notify StarSat subscribers that it's going to close down and will stop broadcasting by 18 September 2024.

In June, after Icasa told StarSat that its licence was not renewed, CEO Debbie Wu denied that StarSat would be shutting down and told TVwithThinus in response to a media query "We can assure you and the public that ODM/StarSat will not be closing its operations anytime".

StarSat, which started as TopTV, dragged Icasa to court, contesting its shutdown order from the regulator, trying to obtain an urgent court interdict.

The Gauteng High Court didn't grant ODM application for an urgent court interdict. 

In the meantime ODM makes it seem as if nothing's wrong with StarSat and continues to broadcast, selling StarSat decoders and dishes, and taking payments and customers' money although its signal could be cut.

When StarSat's customer service number was called last week daily including Saturday, the phone was answered by people who kept saying nothing was wrong.

According to Icasa, ODM's 15-year broadcast licence expired on 8 July 2023.

ODM failed to submit a licence renewal application within the required timeframe set by the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) and related regulations," Icasa says.

"The legislation requires a licensee that holds an Individual Broadcasting Service licence to submit its renewal application to the Authority no earlier than twelve 12 months and no later than 6 months prior to the expiry of the licence."

"Despite numerous reminders, ODM submitted its licence renewal application after the expiry date on 10 November 2023."

Icasa says it sent several letters to ODM requesting a plan on how and when it will inform StarSat subscribers about the winding up of its services. Icasa says ODM failed to provide any answers.

"On 18 March 2024 Icasa decided that ODM should wind up its affairs and cease providing broadcasting services by 18 September 2024, and further inform its subscribers."

ODM, in response to a media query, admits that the company "submitted its license renewal application to Icasa later than the required deadline", but claims Icasa was unhelpful.

According to StarSat, its licence renewal application was done late "Owing to challenges in securing new investment in a competitive market, along with the introduction of a new shareholders agreement and the economic pressures following the COVID-19 pandemic".

On Digital Media says "Despite multiple attempts to seek guidance from ICASA officials to address these regulatory challenges, ODM did not receive the necessary support".

China's StarTimes holds a 20%-interest in ODM, the maximum allowed for a foreign company in a South African media business.

The satellite pay-TV operator says that although the Gauteng High Court dismissed its urgent application for an interdict to block Icasa's shutdown order "A review application is pending to address the substantive legal issues between the two parties once the court date is set".

SarSat says if it has to shut down it would "jeopardise the livelihoods of more than 600 ODM employees and disrupt the broader network of over 4 000 dealers and sales agents who rely on its operations".

More than 500 000 StarSat subscribers will lose the pay-TV service.

"Despite the current challenges, StarSat will remain operational, and is committed to providing uninterrupted service to its users and business partners."

Icasa told TVwithThinus if StarSat doesn't shut down soon the operator will take steps to ensure it shutters.

TVwithThinus contacted several TV channel distributors to hear whether they've removed their sets of TV channels provided to ODM's StarSat bouquets after Icasa's shutdown notification.

The SABC, e.tv, Warner Bros. Discovery, ZEE, The Walt Disney Company and AMC Networks were contacted, with ZEE that haven't yet responded.

Mmoni Seapolelo, SABC media relations manager, said "The SABC has noted a media statement issued by Icasa on 20 September regarding this matter and is awaiting a further direct engagement with the regulator". 

Jorja Wilkins said eMedia had no comment. 

Jared Stokes said Disney has nothing to share but will notify about updates.

A spokesperson for AMC Networks International in the United Kingdom that supplies channels like CBS Justice and CBS Reality to StatSat said they "are closely monitoring the developments and will be taking appropriate actions as necessary".

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) says "WBD only became aware of the situation concerning StarSat's license when Icasa made the public announcement on Friday, 20 September 2024".

"We are aware of StarSat's public statement and await further information from StarSat regarding its operations and next steps with Icasa."

"As the situation is still developing, we are closely monitoring any updates from StarSat and Icasa to understand the potential impact on our channels and, most importantly, our subscribers. We will provide further updates as to any impact on our channels as soon as we are able to."

ALSO READ: South Africa's broadcasting regulator warns that StarSat which failed to renew its pay-TV licence in time is operating illegally and should have shut down 18 September.

ALSO READ: StarSat denies it will be shutting down in September after South Africa's broadcasting regulator Icasa revokes On Digital Media's pay-TV licence.

Actor Timmy Kwebulana dead at 83 after a short illness

by Thinus Ferreira

Veteran actor Timmy Kwebulana died on Thursday evening after a short illness. He was 83.

"We give thanks for his life and all his contributions to us as a family and to the arts and entertainment industry for almost six decades," Timmy Kwebulana's family said in a statement on Friday.

"May his legacy continue to inspire us and those who are yet to come. We acknowledge that there will be lots of heartfelt messages of condolences towards the family and relatives. We appreciate them so much."

"However, we do request, especially from the media and our industry colleagues, that the family is given some time to gather and organise logistics and a way forward."

In the e.tv football drama series Shooting Stars that aired between 2007 and 2010, Timmy Kwebulana had the role of Bra Vic Tau who founded the soccer club.

Timmy Kwebulana also had roles in shows like Chandies as Mr Buthelezi, Westgate, The Heart of the Matter miniseries, 1922, SABC2's Fishy Feshuns, Forced Love, Isikizi, Mazinyo Dot Q, Stokvel, Aba Kwazidenge, Jackpot, Scoop Schoombie, Ingqumbo Yeminyanya, Unyana Womntu, Uthando Lwethu, as well as Torings and Traffic!.

In film, Timmy Kwebulana appeared in Nag van Vrees, Born in the RSA, Orkney Snork Nie 2, Dark Desires: Thelma, 2000's Kin, Ingoma, 2018's Thys & Trix and 2019's Uthandiwe Uyatshata.

South Africa's broadcasting regulator warns that StarSat which failed to renew its pay-TV licence in time is operating illegally and should have shut down 18 September.

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's broadcasting regulator is warning StarSat subscribers and the country's TV industry that the pay-TV service is supposed to have shut down by 18 September for its failure to renew its pay-TV licence in time.

TVwithThinus reached out to Debbie Wu, On Digital Media CEO, on Friday and comment will be added here when received. 

Various TV channel distributors with channels available on Starsat were also asked on Friday if they have, or are removing their TV channels from StarSat and comment from them will be added here when received.

On Friday TVwithThinus asked The Walt Disney Company, the SABC, e.tv, AMC Networks, Warner Bros. Discovery and ZEE whether they have pulled their TV channel sets, are planning to do so, or aren't doing anything.

In June, after Icasa told StarSat that its licence was not renewed, Debbie Wu denied that StarSat would be shutting downand told me in response to a media query "We can assure you and the public that ODM/StarSat will not be closing its operations anytime".

Earlier this year an insider told TVwithThinus that South Africa's broadcasting regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has not renewed On Digital Media's broadcast licence for StarSat, with the pay-TV operator that has been given until 18 September to tell subscribers, agents, the industry, stakeholders and to then shut down.

The 14-year-old pay-TV service headquartered in Midrand, Johannesburg started out as TopTV and is run by On Digital Media. 

On Digital Media is 20%-owned by the Chinese pay-TV service StarTimes – the maximum allowed for a foreign company of a South African media business – following a business rescue process a decade ago, after Top TV came to the verge of collapse following controversy and public outry over its eventually abandoned plans to carry a bouquet of pornographic TV channels.

Run under the StarTimes brand in the rest of sub-Saharan Africa and as StarSat in South Africa, the company competes with MultiChoice's DStv in the traditional pay-TV space. 

It however has far fewer subscribers in South Africa than MultiChoice's DStv where it offers a Special, Super and Global package with a lot of Chinese TV channels.

According to the insider, StarSat workers have been kept in the dark about the company's pay-TV service going dark. Now 18 September came and went with StarSat still broadcasting and in breach of Icasa's regulations - and with subscribers who have not been warned.

Icasa now says it is notifying the industry and the public about StarSat's "imminent exit from the subscription television market in South Africa".

"In the interest of On Digital Media (Pty) Ltd (ODM) / StarSat subscribers, members of the public and all relevant stakeholders, Icasa wishes to provide clarity regarding StarSat’s imminent exit from the subscription television market in South Africa," the regulator says.

According to Icasa, ODM's 15-year licence expired on 8 July 2023.

"ODM failed to submit a licence renewal application within the required timeframe set by the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) and related regulations," Icasa says.

"The legislation requires a licensee that holds an Individual Broadcasting Service licence to submit its renewal application to the Authority no earlier than twelve 12 months and no later than 6 months prior to the expiry of the licence."

"Despite numerous reminders, ODM submitted its licence renewal application after the expiry date on 10 November 2023."

Icasa says it sent several letters to ODM, requesting it to provide a plan on how and when it will inform StarSat subscribers about the winding up of its services. Icasa says ODM failed to provide any answers.

"On 18 March 2024 Icasa decided that ODM should wind up its affairs and cease providing broadcasting services by 18 September 2024, and further inform its subscribers."

ALSO READ: StarSat denies it will be shutting down in September after South Africa's broadcasting regulator Icasa revokes On Digital Media's pay-TV licence.

Outraged DStv Uganda subscribers threaten to cancel amidst growing price hike anger over MultiChoice Uganda's latest increase

by Thinus Ferreira  

Massive anger is building under DStv subscribers in Uganda after MultiChoice Uganda's decision to once again hike prices in the country in less than six months, with customers saying they're done and finally cancelling their DStv subscriptions.

MultiChoice Africa's latest price hike for DStv Uganda subscribers comes less than six months after the last one in April 2024, and will come into effect from October.

DStv Uganda subscribers have slammed MultiChoice over what it calls "an obscene money grab that's a disgusting slap in the face of loyal customers who already struggle to afford this overpriced, lacklustre service".

Ugandan consumers, struggling with inflation and a weak economy, say they can no longer afford luxury expenses like DStv and are finally cutting the cord after MultiChoice is pushing them beyond what they can afford.

MultiChoice Uganda is hiking DStv Premium from Shs290 000 to Shs300 000, while DStv Compact Plus will jump from Shs170 000 to Shs175 000. GOtv Supa is hiked from Shs69 000 to Shs71 000.

Rinaldi Jamugisa, MultiChoice Uganda communications manager, says MultiChoice Uganda is hiking prices again within six months due to "rising content production costs".

"Producing and acquiring high-quality content comes at a significant cost. Heavy investment is made in producing original content, delivering exclusive shows, broadcasting live sports or events and international programming, which contributes to our overall costs, among other drivers of price adjustments like economic conditions that we may not have control over."