Last week MultiChoice toppers Imtiaz Patel, Jim Volkwyn and Byron du Plessis cashed in R9.6 million in shares before the pay-TV company announced lower revenue expectations this week which saw it share price tanking.

by Thinus Ferreira

Three MultiChoice directors - chairman Imtiaz Patel, MultiChoice Africa director Byron du Plessis and non-executive director Jim Volkwyn - last week sold R9.6 million of their MultiChoice shares, luckily before the pay-TV company's share price tanked yesterday after it announced this week that its revenue expectations are now lower.

On 7 March MultiChoice announced that on 6 March Imtiaz Patel had sold R7.63 million of his MultiChoice shares, while Jim Volkwyn sold R725 000 in shares, and Byron du Plessis R1.28 million of MultiChoice shares - collectively R9.6 million of MultiChoice shares.

On Monday evening, in a voluntary trading update issued after the markets had closed, MultiChoice announced that its 2023 revenue expectations are now lower.

MultiChoice warned that its revenue is dragged lower because of the debilitating and increasing Eskom electricity blackout crisis, having a "significant impact" on its DStv subscriber base's activity levels.

MultiChoice also warned that contributing to the lower revenue forecast is that MultiChoice is having to spend more money in increased costs for its planned new Showmax streaming service relaunch after partnering with NBCUniversal, and that operating conditions in South Africa has worsened.

On Tuesday morning MultiChoice shares tanked - dropping almost 15% in the morning and wiping out close to R8 billion in shareholder value, before recovering somewhat during the course of Tuesday, and closing down around 14% lower.

In its trading update, MultiChoice said that "Sustained high levels of loadshedding are having a significant impact on the activity levels of the customer base." 

While not specifying it directly, investors and analysts are taking MultiChoice's trading warning to mean that its top-end DStv premium subscriber segment - its most valuable and biggest contributor to ARPU (average revenue per user) - is very likely falling again, as the number and overall percentage of DStv Premium and DStv Compact Plus subscribers are possibly continuing to decline.

MultiChoice warned in its trading statement that its trading margin has been lowered to between 23% to 28% instead of earlier market guidance of between 28% to 30% for its 2023 financial year.

MultiChoice and M-Net's Carte Blanche running a special Desmond Tutu pop-up channel on DStv channel 199 following his death on Sunday at 90.

by Thinus Ferreira

Following the death of South Africa's Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu at 90, MultiChoice and M-Net will be running a special DStv pop-up channel, produced by Carte Blanche on DStv channel 199 that will broadcast special programming about him and his legacy for the next few days until his funeral.

 Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu died peacefully at his Cape Town home on Sunday morning.

MultiChoice's "Carte Blanche: Tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu" DStv pop-up channel to pay tribute to Desmond Tutu will be similar to the DStv pop-up channel that ran in 2018 to celebrate what would have been the centenary birthday of Nelson Mandela, and will be filled with the type of special programming that was aired the days following his death 8 years ago in December 2013.

MultiChoice's Carte Blanche: Tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu DStv pop-up channel will celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Desmond Tutu and include a 4-part series about his life and legacy with the DStv channel that will be available to all DStv subscribers on all packages across sub-Saharan Africa from today (Sunday, 26 December) at 17:00 until his burial.

Carte Blanche also plans to direct viewers to the DStv pop-up channel in Sunday night's episode.

"MultiChoice is deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu – an exceptional visionary and leader who spent his life in pursuit of justice and service of mankind," says Imtiaz Patel, MultiChoice Group non-executive chairman.

"As Africa's most-loved storyteller, we want to pay tribute to this remarkable man, and we'll be bringing his incredible story to life on our tribute channel."

"We will forever treasure his legacy and immense contribution to bringing about healing to our rainbow nation and honour his passion for liberation, equality, peace and progress. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his millions of friends around the world. Arch, we will miss your loving, kind soul and inimitable sense of humour."

The Carte Blanche: Tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu DStv channel will feature a variety of historical documentaries about Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, filmed between the 1980s and now, former and recent Carte Blanche interviews with him, his friends and family.

It will also include a brand-new Carte Blanche overview of his extraordinary legacy and the way his activism, morality and fearless pursuit of equality touched the world. The content has been collated by Carte Blanche into four parts, comprising different segments and inserts.

The content of the channel will also be available on DStv Catch Up.

Desmond Tutu Tribute: A Carte Blanche Special - Part 1

Segment 1: “This is what we can do for Justice and Peace”

A documentary on the perspectives of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Rev Peter Storey and the role of the South African Council of Churches in the fight against apartheid in South Africa during the 1980s.

Segment 2: Father, leader and anti-apartheid icon, Archbishop Desmond Tutu has lived a life steeped in meaning, love and wisdom. A poignant look at why he has been dubbed "the moral conscience of the rainbow nation".

Segment 3: “Carte Blanche celebrates Tutu’s 75^th birthday”

Spiritual leader. Political Activist. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. Priest. Peacemaker. Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s life story is about beating the odds. This man of the cloth has struggled against apartheid and cancer and played a fundamental role in reconciliation for all. Meet South Africa’s foremost rabble-rouser interviewed just after his 75th birthday.

Desmond Tutu Tribute: A Carte Blanche Special - Part 2

Segment 1: "God be for us”

A look at the operation of the South African Council of Churches, the plight of displaced families, political prisoners, detainees and those banned and banished to the desolate Bantustans during Apartheid.

Segment 2: “kykNET vir Tannie”

Archbishop Desmond Tutu wishes Evita Bezuidenhout warm wishes on her birthday and describes her as a light during the darkness of apartheid and the most famous white woman on the African continent.

Segment 3: Carte Banche Frank Chikane interview”

Rev Frank Chikane reflects on the influence of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu on South Africa’s liberation struggle and the impact he had in bringing about healing during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings.

Segment 4: “Carte Blanche: Tutu – A conversation

Archbishop Desmond Tutu played a fundamental role in healing and reconciliation through the TRC process. In a candid and intimate interview with Ruda Landman, conducted while the TRC was still underway, he speaks about witness testimonies that moved him to tears, the conversations with God that helped him through the process and also reflects on his prostate cancer diagnosis.

Segment 5: “Carte Blanche – Truth Commission”

The Truth Commission was proposed to bring justice to the families of victims who were killed, maimed or who had disappeared during the brutal apartheid years. The secrecy clause in the draft bill of rights allows for the hearings to be held in camera. That meant the Commission only had to release minimal information regarding the victims, the crimes committed and whether amnesty had been granted or not. This has outraged everyone concerned with the pursuit of justice -including Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Segment 6: "Carte Blanche - Lavinia Crawford-Browne Interview”

The former personal assistant to Archbishop Tutu speaks candidly about the 22 years she spent at his side and shares her personal insight into his contributions to South Africa and the world.

Desmond Tutu Tribute: A Carte Blanche Special - Part 3

Segment 1: "This crazy thing called grace”

The crazy world of Desmond Tutu through his own eyes. Clown or Saint, this Nobel Peace Prize winner has earned worldwide applause. The film pays tribute to the Archbishop and takes a fly-on-the-wall approach to his daily duties, his meditative moments at home and his personal attempts to come to terms with the atrocities unearthed by the Truth Commission.

Segment 2: “Carte Blanche: Trevor Tutu Interview”

The eldest child and only son of the Archbishop reminisces about his father, the Arch's great love for rugby and his hopes for the country he so dearly loved - South Africa.

Segment 3: “Carte Blanche: Tutu’s 80the birthday”

Carte Blanche extended warm wishes to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu on the occasion of his 80th birthday and reflects on eight poignant decades spent in the pursuit of justice and service of mankind.

Segment 4: "Carte Blanche: Canon Dean Rowan Smith Interview”

Canon Rowan Smith, former dean of the St George’s Anglican Church reflects on the support he received from Tutu during a trying time of his life.

Segment 5: “Miracle Rising”

As Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu looks back on South Africa's struggle for liberation, he recounts the horrors of living under Apartheid and the heroes of yesteryear who miraculously brought about a democratic South Africa.

Desmond Tutu Tribute: A Carte Blanche Special - Part 4

Segment 1: Carte Blanche pays a moving tribute to the legendary figure who helped shape a nation, Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Archbishop Desmond Tutu in a  special, recently produced overview of the achievements and challenges faced by Archbishop Desmond Tutu throughout his extraordinary life.

TV REVIEW. MultiChoice and M-Net's 1 Night with Mzansi special done from Dubai is little more than boring puffery and yawnful paint-by-numbers programmatic content.

by Thinus Ferreira

2 TVs out of 10

The boring and disappointing 1 Night with Mzansi variety TV special of MultiChoice and M-Net that ran on Sunday night on its 1Magic channel on DStv, done from Dubai, unspooled as a perfunctory and pre-packaged song-speech-song advertorial promo that was little more than a paint-by-numbers television cliché.

Produced by Freshly Minced with Darren Hayward as director and executive producer and Warren Bleksley as TV director who also oversaw post-production work, 1 Night with Mzansi, done from the Dubai Opera House, ran with fewer obvious mistakes and on-air problems than MultiChoice's cringe-inducing pan-African Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards. 

Thankfully there were no wrong envelopes to open this time.

The wardrobe stylist working on 1 Night with Mzansi was probably too scared, but somebody should have intervened and helped Imtiaz Patel, MultiChoice Group executive chairman, to get a tailor, who appeared on the opera stage in what looked like a cheap and badly fitted suit to read a speech from a teleprompter with crumpled pants that are far too long and that should be taken in at the seam.

This company's executive chairman appeared on DStv in a pre-planned, produced appearance - meaning that how Imtiaz Patel looks and how he is perceived, is and should be a part of MultiChoice's production budget and a carefully-crafted pre-production process for this show-and-tell. Why wasn't it?

But it wasn't just Imtiaz Patel's pants and appearance that was a GQ-no-no and too long. 

1 Night with Mzansi - with Paul Egberink as creative producer and Lulu Mlangeni as assistant director and choreographer - turned out to be nothing more than tedious fill-the-block programming, alternating between must-include speeches from officials and ministers, must-include promo-filler like SKA telescope inappropriate for a "show" like this, interspersed with pick-a-culture-and-add-an-artist, song-and-dance numbers.

1 Night with Mzansi looked as if MultiChoice decided to splash some cash on the creation of a piece of touring industrial theatre and decided to just get some cameras as well so someone can film it and so that DStv can show the resulting marketing exercise. Two MultiChoice birds with one DStv stone.

With 1 Night with Mzansi, MultiChoice and M-Net fell in the same trap as the SAFTAs and other boring televised South African awards shows where executives in TV are not thinking about making real made-for-TV content for DStv subscribers having to watch it at home. 

Instead, MultiChoice execs forced boring content into a stage show, filmed for TV, as merely something that they clearly thought would presumably make them and the pay-TV company look good, and in reality amounting to nothing more than show-off puffery that just tick boxes.

The problem with a hollow dog-and-pony show like 1 Night with Mzansi is that viewers quickly abandon any boring variety or awards show for its lack of actual entertainment value. 

Viewers leave when they're force-fed irrelevant puff-piece speeches that run for multiple minutes with talking heads they simply don't and never will care about.

Besides some sound issues regarding the audio mix and level problems (the master volume of 1 Night with Mzansi was softer and not equalised properly by either the outside broadcast team or MultiChoice's ingestion team in Randburg) there were little technically wrong with 1 Night with Mzansi besides some preview camera shots that were ill-chosen for a few seconds as live.

Qualitatively however 1 Night with Mzansi lacked spice and pizzazz.

Mi Casa, Sho Madjozi, DJ Maphorisa, Daliwonga, Blaq Diamond, Nothembi Mkhwebane, Khuzai, Coenie de Villiers, the Drakenberg Boys Choir and the Mzansi Youth Choir all performed in what felt like a quickly forgettable episode of SA's Got Talent where nothing really stood out with any dazzling "wow"-factor.

Speaking of Got Talent, MultiChoice's 1 Night with Mzansi lacked anything remotely like the Ndlovu Youth Choir's astounding rendition of Toto's "Africa" at America's Got Talent and which is what something like 1 Night with Mzansi should presumably be: energetic, hypnotic, transcendently African in a surprising new way.

One wonders if the Arab dignitaries in the Dubai Opera House sitting in the sparsely seated front row were offended at all by host Nomzamo Mbata showing some side-breast, or why MultiChoice went to the trouble of setting up the semblance of a pre-show red carpet and showed snippets of it if there wasn't really any broad South African media representation behind the rope line.

Lots of empty seats were visible and shown but while Dubai has more relaxed Covid-19 safe protocols it's understandable that MultiChoice will probably not pack a venue like the Dubai Opera House to capacity or that people won't want to physically attend something like 1 Night with Mzansi.

1 Night with Mzansi lacked energy. 

MultiChoice couldn't even bother to update its DStv electronic programme guide with any show-specific synopsis and the TV special tucked away on a late Sunday night felt quite low-key and like a metro TV train doing little more than going and stopping at pre-defined stations.

On-stage performances felt decidedly more like sideshow performances - complete as if someone filmed one of the Oscars or Emmys studio afterparties like HBO, MGM, Netflix or Vanity Fair where execs, dignitaries and some guests would mingle and a few party-hopping stars would drift in and out over the course of the night.

A Dance Moms-like Eisteddfod with obligatory costume changes and different people getting a chance to dance, sing and walk on stage isn't going to result in and does not make a "show". 

Magic moments and true showstopper performances need to be meticulously created with talent and skill that make those watching it, go: "That is amazing!".

MultiChoice's 1 Night with Mzansi could have been - should have been - more than a forgettable and throwaway weekend trade show get-together, filmed for television in Dubai and foisted onto DStv subscribers watching back home.

MultiChoice boss Calvo Mawela sees pay jump of 125% to R27.5 million after pay-TV employment transfer to Dubai.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice CEO Calvo Mawela has had a total pay increase over the last financial year of 125% with the total remuneration of the pay-TV operator's boss that climbed from $708 000 in 2019 to $1.59 million (R27.53 million).

According to MultiChoice's latest consolidated annual report for the financial year until the end of March 2020 Calvo Mawela was paid an annual salary of $570 000, a pension of $67 000, benefits totalling $227 000, and short and medium-term incentive (STI) of 726 000. This STI includes a bonus payment.

Calvo Mawela, like MultiChoice executive chairperson Imtiaz Patel, are paid in dollar according to the MultiChoice Group's Dubai-based contracts that work according to Dubai's cost-of-living metrics.

Calvo Mawela's employment "transferred" to Dubai from South Africa since he has to look after MultiChoice South Africa as well as MultiChoice Africa business.

"Being based in Dubai enables Calvo to be closer to the MultiChoice Africa management team and to have more accessible travel into the rest of Africa and with the added focus on returning the rest of Africa business to profitability," MultiChoice said.

"With the move to Dubai, Calvo Mawela's remuneration was aligned with the policy as applicable in Dubai and is reflected in dollars."

Imtiaz Patel's total MultiChoice remuneration increased 6.16% from $1.46 million to $1.55 million.

Tim Jacobs, MultiChoice chief financial officer, saw his total remuneration increase 21% from R8.45 million to R10.22 million.

Advocate Kgomotso Moroka, chairperson of the remuneration committee, said that the global video entertainment industry was becoming more competitive, especially with the growth of global subscription video-on-demand streaming services.

"Therefore, it is critically important that we adopt principles that allow us to attract and proactively retain our top talent."

"In addition, given the growth potential for our business, we also need to ensure our reward practices are aligned with the delivery of desired results and value creation over time."

MultiChoice wants to be a ‘one-stop shop’ for TV content, next DStv Explora will provide access to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video OTT streamers.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice's new DStv Explora decoder will be the first that will have the "shelf space" capability and come with a carousel user interface display incorporating icon tiles for the Netflix and Amazon Prime Video streamers as DStv morphs into a pay-TV super-aggregator and a content "one-stop shop" that will carry even more such third-party services in future.

Besides the launch of DStv Streaming, MultiChoice's "dishless DStv" digital streaming version of its current service that won't require the use of a satellite disk or installation, MultiChoice also plans to push a new DStv Explora decoder to market later this year that will be its first to carry and make over-the-top (OTT) services available to DStv subscribers in South Africa and across sub-Saharan Africa in the form of Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Talking about content, Imtiaz Patel, MultiChoice Group chairperson, on Thursday in the Randburg-based pay-TV operator's investors' call following the release of its 2019/2020 financial results, said that "the multitude of offerings are leaving customers overwhelmed with what is called the paradox of choice and the need for greater simplicity".

"It is where we see the opportunity to continue our aggregator journey. We broadcast and stream our own compelling local and international sport content and also make third-party streaming services available on our platform."

"All of this is to be found on a single platform, with a single bill that provides convenience and choice to our customers through a one-stop shop."

Explaining how the Randburg-based pay-TV operator's own subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service Showmax will sit alongside that of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and likely even more in future like YouTube, Disney+, HBO Max and others, Imtiaz Patel said that "local content and sport will be a key differentiator for Showmax and niche and general entertainment content from other providers will offer our customers more choice".

"Ultimately it enhances the customer relationship, it provides simplicity, convenience and a more comprehensive offering for our customers.

Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice CEO, on the investors' call said that it had to take the opportunity to "become the platform of choice for people to consume these OTT services".

"People will go for where content is available. With the proliferation of all of these OTT's there are people who want to get access to this content and if we are a one-stop shop where they can get all these services we'll be positioned very well in the market for us to gain customers out there."

In terms of DStv set-top boxes and the timing of the roll-out, he said MultiChoice is in discussions with the distributors on how to launch. "There will be a new decoder that will be coming to the market that will be able to allow this kind of services to be accessible through the decoder. Our current decoders do not support this."

"The next version of our DStv Explora decoder is the one that is going to accommodate the OTT's on our platform," said Calvo Mawela.

He said that in the year ahead MultiChoice plans to "ramp up our investment in local content" and that "we will also be launching our OTT premium product, DStv Streaming, and focus on growing our paying Showmax subscriber base".

Talking about the strategy of adding video streamers he said that it will ensure that MultiChoice "continues to be a one-stop shop where people go through us to get content - no matter where it comes from - from any of the OTT players that are coming to the market. In that way we make sure that we remain relevant and that people find the convenience of paying just one bill".

"We also should not underestimate our ability to collect payment and to collect cash across the African continent - that also helps with the OTT's staying with us on our platform."

"We've had learnings from the United States and Europe where traditional pay-TV operators like ourselves have brought OTT services onto their platforms and they have improved service to their customers and customers have valued these initiatives."

One bill and possibly cheaper bundling
In terms of how customers will sign up and use Netflix and Amazon Prime Video MultiChoice didn't provide any details but looking at the tie-up operating model between pay-TV operators and video streamers as it has been introduced and used in America, the United Kingdom, Europe and elsewhere, MultiChoice will get revenue in the form of commission for DStv subscribers who sign up and make use of these OTT services through MultiChoice.

Consumers with existing Netflix and Amazon Prime Video accounts will very likely be able to log in as normal through DStv to access these specific streaming services.

Existing DStv subscribers who want to become new customers and users will however be able to easily sign up and access (or deactivate) one or more of these services by simply adding the fee to their existing MultiChoice bill, and paying one overall bill, in rand, at the end of the month, instead of to multiple providers.

MultiChoice and M-Net have been following a lot of the modus operandi of the UK's Sky pay-TV operator and will likely do so again when its new DStv Explora is launched.

Sky's Sky Q decoder launched in November 2018 and capable of 4K UHD resolution has OTT services like Netflix, Spotify and YouTube neatly stacked and showcased in tiles on the homepage.

Similar to how MultiChoice has bundled Showmax for free for DStv Premium subscribers it might likely do with Netflix as well.

Through creating a DStv-Netflix, DStv-Amazon or DStv-Netflix-Amazon package with the streamers - either being included for free initially or at a discounted promotional price, as part of an incentive to restore value to DStv Premium or to drive sampling and uptake - MultiChoice will be able to offer subscribers DStv and video streamers in a combined package at a cheaper price than if someone paid for DStv separately and Netflix and Amazon Prime Video separately.

Sky, for instance, started a new bouquet, Sky Ultimate, bundling the best of its own content, with Netflix, at a cheaper price than if a subscriber paid separately for a Sky subscription and a Netflix subscription.


ALSO READ: MultiChoice to add Netflix and Amazon Video Prime as video streamers, now reaches 19.5 million subscribers.
ALSO READ: EXPLAINER. How and why MultiChoice by adding video streamers to its DStv offering is finally pivoting into becoming a pay-TV Sweets from Heaven.  
ALSO READ: This is how MultiChoice changed its 2019/2020 financial results presentation in which it first revealed that it is adding Netflix and Amazon Prime Video ... and then deleted and altered its presentation.

Sports minister Nathi Mthethwa, MultiChoice, SuperSport, the SABC and the PSL on Thursday still 'finding each other in the impasse' over Absa Premiership public broadcasting rights crisis as promised Thursday announcement is pushed to Friday.

South Africa's sports minister Nathi Mthethwa failed to properly manage his self-announced, self-set and self-created public expectations and together with pay-TV operator MultiChoice, SuperSport, the SABC and the Premier Soccer League (PSL) failed to announce on Thursday a breakthrough in a sub-licensing rights Absa Premiership deal for the public broadcaster.

Late Thursday night sports minister Nathi Mthethwa who appears incompetent, released a vague statement making a new promise after just having broken one, saying that a "full statement" would be released before the end of the day on Friday 23 August.

Earlier this week Nathi Mthethwa - who belatedly started to intervene in the ongoing crisis at the SABC not showking any of the new Absa Premiership season's soccer matches on the broke South African public broadcaster after its failure and refusal to sign any sub-licensing rights broadcast agreement - announced that an announcement about a breakthrough would be made on Thursday.

Thursday however came and went without anything from South Africa's minister of sports who oversold a possible agreement between MultiChoice, SuperSport, the SABC and the PSL that by Thursday night didn't exist.

The SABC demanded a 96% discount in the licensing rights price from SuperSport for Absa Premiership matches from which the SABC sub-license the broadcasting rights.

The SABC said that it can't afford the licensing rights sticker price and SABC top brass went as far as ordering presenters at the public broadcaster to withhold information from South African citizens and to not even mention Absa Premiership match scores on air or to discuss or do any commentary about the PSL.

The SABC claimed that a broadcasting licensing deal with SuperSport was not financially viable for the broadcaster and something it couldn't afford and that the SABC would make revenue of just R47 million a year if they accepted the deal and lose money.

The South African government responded reactively and belatedly as in previous cases said it would do meetings with the SABC, the PSL and MultiChoice.

The ongoing, massive problem with sports rights remains unsolved by the South African government and the departments of sports and communications, who constantly - after a blackout crisis at the SABC - respond with a meeting, followed by some short-term plaster TV package on the gaping wound, and then nothing to solve the long-term systemic problems and bleeding.

After a first meeting with the SABC and the PSL, Nathi Mthethwa on Wednesday in a statement said that he met on Tuesday with Dr Irvin Koza, PSL chairperson; as well as Imtiaz Patel, the MultiChoice Group's chairperson, and Calvo Mawela on Tuesday.

In a statement late on Thursday night, Nathi Mthethwa said that on Thursday evening he and Stella Ndabeni Abrahams, South Africa's communications minister, had met with Dr Irvin Khoza; Bongumusa Makhathini, SABC board chairperson; Madoda Mxakwe, SABC CEO; Craig van Rooyen, SABC COO who is on his way out; as well as MultiChoice's Imtiaz Patel and Calvo Mawela "to further push for a solution".

Nathi Mthethwa said on Thursday night that " all parties are finding each other in the impasse which resulted in the non-broadcast of PSL matches on the SABC" and that there's been "a breakthrough" without wanting to say what it was.

He said that "a full statement which will entail details of the agreement" will be "communicated before close of business on Friday".

Why Nathi Mthethwa publicly promised an announcement on Thursday and then didn't deliver isn't clear.

South Africa's sports minister says MultiChoice and the Premier Soccer League will on Thursday announce some solution to have Absa Premiership matches broadcast on the embattled SABC that can't pay for it.

South Africa's minister of sports, Nathi Mthethwa announced that his department, the pay-TV operator MultiChoice and the Premier Soccer League (PSL) will announce on Thursday, 22 August 2019, a solution to have Absa Premiership matches broadcast on the embattled South African public broadcaster that can't pay for it.

The PSL slammed the SABC for its failure to pick up and pay for certain free-to-air rights to some matches of the new Absa Premiership season that kicked off at the beginning of this month, with the SABC that demanded a 96% discount in the licensing rights price from SuperSport from which the SABC sub-license the broadcasting rights.

The SABC said that it can't afford the licensing rights sticker price and SABC top brass went as far as ordering presenters at the public broadcaster to withhold information from South African citizens and to not even mention Absa Premiership match scores on air or to discuss or do any commentary about the PSL.

The SABC claimed that a broadcasting licensing deal with SuperSport was not financially viable for the broadcaster and something it couldn't afford and that the SABC would make revenue of just R47 million a year if they accepted the deal and lose money.

The South African government responded reactively and belatedly as in previous cases said it would do meetings with the SABC, the PSL and MultiChoice.

The ongoing, massive problem with sports rights remains unsolved by the South African government and the departments of sports and communications, who constantly - after a blackout crisis at the SABC - respond with a meeting, followed by some short-term plaster TV package on the gaping wound, and then nothing to solve the long-term systemic problems and bleeding.

After a first meeting with the SABC and the PSL, Nathi Mthethwa on Wednesday in a statement said that he met on Tuesday with Dr Irvin Koza, PSL chairperson; as well as Imtiaz Patel, the MultiChoice Group's chairperson, and Calvo Mawela on Tuesday.

"After this interaction, we are confident that a resolution to this impasse is imminent as of Thursday," Nathi Mthethwa announced.

"Both the PSL the PSL and MultiChoice honoured the appointment and that is an indication of their appreciating the gravity of this matter. I am happy that both parties understand that despite the contrasting interests they represent, which are valid on individual accounts, what can no longer be treated lightly is the heavy toll this impasse has taken on South Africans."

"That both Dr Irvin Khoza, as well as Imtiaz Patel and Calvo Mawela met with me is testament that they understand that a solution must be found."

Mega-millions for MultiChoice's top bosses who bunker out in Dubai and who don't live on the African continent as pay-TV execs oversee 'Africa's leading entertainment company'.

MultiChoice's top bosses are raking in mega-million salaries overseeing "Africa's leading entertainment company" although some of them are bunkering out in Dubai and not even living on the Africa continent.

The MultiChoice Group that calls itself "Africa's leading entertainment company" released the pay-TV business' first integrated annual report for 2019 which reveals the massive remuneration packages of the MultiChoice executive management who don't all live in South Africa and some getting paid in American dollar in Dubai.

Imtiaz Patel, MultiChoice executive chairman got paid $1.463 million (R20.722 million) in base salary, bonuses, pension and short-term incentives, while Brand de Villiers is rolling in the green in the desert after getting paid just over $1 million - $1.020 million (R14.464 million) for the past financial year.

Neither Imtiaz Patel nor Brand de Villiers is living in South Africa while overseeing the proudly South African company that listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in late-February 2019.

MultiChoice in its annual report notes in the small fine print that "Imtiaz Patel and Brand de Villiers are paid in US dollar which is aligned with The MultiChoice Group's Dubai-based contracts and takes into account Dubai cost of living etc.".

Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice CEO, got R10.623 million, while the remuneration of Tim Jacobs, MultiChoice CFO, amounted to R8.449 million that including a "sign-on bonus" of R3.8 million.

Their pay packages packages exclude share options which further increase the executives' income.

During the past financial year MultiChoice also included and signed a restraint-of-trade agreement with Imtiaz Patel. If he were to step down as executive chairman or leave MultiChoice, it would apply for a period of 3 years.

MultiChoice has 15.1 million DStv subscribers and GOtv subscribers in South Africa and across the rest of sub-Saharan African combined.

The massive million rand salaries of MultiChoice bosses revealed as The MultiChoice Group prepares to list and start trading on the JSE from 27 February 2019.

The massive million rand salaries have been revealed of the top executives at The MultiChoice Group as the pay-TV arm of Naspers plans to spin-off and list and trade on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) from 27 February 2019.

Meanwhile, according to Reuters, MultiChoice that will run DStv, GOtv and Showmax in sub-Saharan Africa plans to pay a whopping R2.5 billion ($181 million) inaugural dividend in 2020 after it has been unbundled from Naspers.

As the highest-paid top executive, The MultiChoice Group will pay Imtiaz Patel, executive chairperson, R22.2 million for the financial year ending 31 March 2019 according to the regulatory filing - up from R19.7 million for the financial year ending March 2018.

Imtiaz Patel will receive a basic salary of R7.6 million for the 2019 financial year, slightly down from the R8 million he was paid in 2018, but will get a bonus of another R7.6 million in 2019 - up from R6.4 million in the previous year.

Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice CEO will pocket R7.7 million in 2019 that includes a R3.2 million bonus and basic salary of R3.8-million. He received R9.8 million in 2018.

The MultiChoice executive Nolo Letele will get R8.5 million, consisting of a R4.6 million basic salary and a bonus of R3.4 million - down from R9.3 million in the 2018 financial year.

Tim Jacobs, MultiChoice chief financial officer (CFO), will be paid a total package of R7.9 million with R5.4 million of that consisting out of a bonus and other benefits.

Naspers does executive shuffle for the newly-created MultiChoice Group before its planned spin-off and listing on the JSE in 2019, with Calvo Mawela as CEO.

Naspers that has dumped and respawned its Naspers Video Entertainment unit as the MultiChoice Group business, has done an executive shuffle and appointments with Calvo Mawela as new MultiChoice Group CEO.

Naspers plans to spin-off MultiChoice as its own business that plans to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) during the first half of 2019.

Naspers has announced Calvo Mwela as the new chief executive officer (CEO) of the MultiChoice Group. Until now Calvo Mawela has been the MultiChoice South Africa CEO.

Calvo Mawela's appointment as CEO of the MultiChoice Group is effective from 1 November, along with other appointments and reshufflings as part of the top management shake-up as MultiChoice gets ready to unbundle from Naspers.

The other appointments at the new MultiChoice Group are Brand de Villiers as chief operating officer (COO), Tim Jacobs as chief financial officer (CFO), and Imtiaz Patel as executive chairperson of the MultiChoice Group.

The MultiChoice Group incorporates MultiChoice South Africa, MultiChoice Africa, the streaming service Showmax in South Africa and Africa, and Irdeto.

There's been no word yet on what happens to Mark Rayner who until now has been the MultiChoice South Africa COO.

"This announcement marks a significant step for the MultiChoice Group as they journey towards a standalone business," says Bob van Dijk, Naspers CEO in a statement announcing the MultiChoice Group creation and management shuffle.

"I am confident that through the leadership of Imtiaz and Calvo, MultiChoice Group will continue on its growth trajectory and unlock even more value for its shareholders."

BREAKING. Naspers to spin off and list its video entertainment business MultiChoice on the JSE as the MultiChoice Group including MultiChoice SA, MultiChoice Africa and Showmax in Africa during first half of 2019.

Naspers, as expected, announced late on Monday that it plans to spin off and list its video entertainment business, MultiChoice on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) during the first half of 2019, comprising of MultiChoice South Africa, MultiChoice Africa, Irdeto and its Showmax streaming service in Africa.

Naspers made noise earlier this year signaling its plans to get rid of MultiChoice and its pay-TV division in the form of a separate stock market listing since it no longer offer as much value and more importantly as much growth potential as Naspers' main investment focus that is its internet business component.

By spinning out and essentially "unbundling" its video entertainment division, MultiChoice - that is profitable - helps to reduce the overall size of Naspers.

"This marks a significant step for the Naspers Group as we continue our evolution into a global consumer internet company," says Bob van Dijk, Naspers CEO, in a statement.

Imtiaz Patel, Naspers video entertainment CEO, says "Listing and unbundling MultiChoice Group is intended to create a leading entertainment business listed on the JSE that is profitable and cash generative. We offer an unmatched selection of local and original content, as well as a world-class sports offering."

"Our leadership team is diverse, experienced and well-positioned to take the company forward. I am particularly pleased that this transaction will further enhance the value for Phuthuma Nathi shareholders."

"There are significant growth opportunities for MultiChoice Group in Africa. The combination of MultiChoice’s reach, Showmax and DStv Now's cutting-edge internet television service, alongside Irdeto’s 360 security suite will provide a unique offering."

Naspers says its video entertainment business is one of the fastest growing pay-TV operators globally and thatits multi-platform business reaches 13.5 million households across Africa.

"In the last financial year, the business added 1.5 million subscribers, and generated revenue of R47.1 billion and trading profit of R6.1 billion. It employs more than 9 000 people in Africa and indirectly creates economic prosperity for over 20 000 more who are employed by its various partners and suppliers across the continent."

Naspers says the MultiChoice Group is expected to be unbundled "with limited leverage", "providing it with the necessary financial flexibility to pursue growth opportunities in African video entertainment".

"The business is also positioning itself for the future by offering online streaming services, including Showmax and DStv Now".

Naspers will retain its primary listing on the JSE as well as its interests in Media24. MultiChoice Group is anticipated to list on the JSE and simultaneously unbundle in the first half of 2019, subject to the approval of the requisite regulatory authorities.

Niclas Ekdahl to head up Naspers' new Connected Video business unit that will now encapsulate its OTT services, Showmax and DStv Now.

Nicklas Ekdahl (48) has been appointed as CEO of Naspers' new Connected Video business unit that now encapsulates its subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service Showmax, as well as its pay-TV arm, MultiChoice's DStv Now streaming and catch-up service.

Neither Naspers nor MultiChoice made any announcement when the Connected Video unit was created as a new hub to house its internet TV and over-the-top (OTT) services in Africa, but Nicklas Ekdahl will now head up this unit from 10 September.

MultiChoice plans to launch a dishless, streaming-only commercial version of DStv, similar to DStv Now, sometime in 2019.

According to MultiChoice Niclas Ekdahl has 19 years of executive leadership in the audio-visual services industry and previously headed up Viasat Broadcasting's pay-TV channel division in London in the United Kingdom.

Niclas Ekdahl joins Naspers and the Connected Video unit from Nuvu where he was the managing director of the video-on-demand (VOD) service that Ericsson launched in 2015.

"OTT video services are growing rapidly across Africa," says Imtiaz Patel, CEO of Naspers' video entertainment division.

"We've made a healthy start preparing for this future with our Showmax and DStv Now services and it's now time to consolidate those learnings in a single unit to build the best possible services for our customers. Niclas has the right experience to make this happen and we're thrilled to have him on board."

Niclas Ekdahl was also formerly a project manager at IKEA that sells ready-to-assemble furniture, and says he enjoys DIY projects.

Why has South Africa's broadcasting regulator, Icasa, after 8 weeks done nothing yet to start an investigation into MultiChoice's payments to ANN7, asks South Africa's Democratic Alliance political party.

South Africa's Democratic Alliance (DA) political party wants to know why South Africa's broadcasting regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has not done anything after 8 weeks to investigate the payments of the pay-TV company MultiChoice to the controversial ANN7 TV channel on DStv.

The Democratic Alliance says Icasa has failed to act promptly and to take serious action against MultiChoice against allegations of unethical conduct.

A widening scandal engulfed MultiChoice in November 2017 when shocking emails as part of the so-called #GuptaLeaks were made public, showing how MultiChoice had been paying ANN7 millions more than a TV news channel like eNCA (DStv 403), although eNCA has a lot more viewers.

MultiChoice itself has now being accused of corruption and collusion with the Guptas and tainted politicians like Faith Muthambi, by a growing chorus of the public and political parties.

The Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) political parties called for a public parliamentary inquiry into MultiChoice, its dealings and contracts with the Guptas over ANN7, and the former minister of communications, Faith Muthambi.

In the shocking #GuptaLeaks, News24 revealed the emails showing how MultiChoice made a dubious R25 million payment to the Guptas for its low-rated, biased and mistake-filled channel, in addition to upping the money MultiChoice pays to ANN7 from R50 million to a whopping R141 million per year.

The emails revealed that MultiChoice is paying ANN7 R141.38 million as part of its contract for the channel, a channel that stands accused of fostering racial discord, biased and unbalanced coverage and targeting politicians who are against president Jacob Zuma.

According to a 4th channel amendment agreement signed by Glen Marques in September 2015, MultiChoice upped its payment from R50 million to R100 million to a staggering R141 380 000 per year although ANN7 is the least watched of the three local TV news channels with SABC News and eNCA as rivals.

"It has been 8 weeks since the DA submitted a request to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) for an investigation into MultiChoice’s payments to ANN7 and the SABC, allegedly in exchange for influence of government policy in its favour," says Phumzile Van Damme, the DA's shadow minister of communications and a member of parliament.

"It is ICASA’s duty, to take this matter up in the public interest, and in particular, on behalf of those South Africans who part with their hard-earned money every month for DStv subscription fees. They deserve to know whether their money was used by MultiChoice to grease the palms of the Gupta family."

"Last year, the Democratic Alliance revealed SABC board minutes dated 6 June 2013, which suggests that MultiChoice sought to pay the SABC R100 million for its 24-hour news channel in exchange for the SABC’s political influence over digital migration. This also supports allegations in the media, that MultiChoice had paid Gupta-owned ANN7 millions in exchange for similar influence over government’s position on set-top boxes," says Phumzile Van Damme.

"The meeting was attended by the then interim SABC board, SABC executives and then MultiChoice CEO, Imtiaz Patel. At the meeting, Imtiaz Patel stated that “we would not normally pay for a news channel” but that he would be able to convince the MultiChoice board members on the condition the SABC exert their influence over former communications minister, Faith Muthambi."

"It was for this reason the DA wrote to Icasa to request for an inquiry into these allegations, and furthermore requested that MultiChoice contracts with the SABC and ANN7 be made public."

"Although ICASA publicly acknowledged receiving our request, we are yet to receive any correspondence. Even with the magnitude of these allegations, Icasa has failed to act promptly and take serious action against MultiChoice for these allegations of unethical conduct."

Phumzile Van Damme says Icasa "has the responsibility to probe these allegations without further delay".

MultiChoice now caught in lies as the Naspers and MultiChoice scandal around its undue influence of South Africa's digital TV migration process keeps growing.

MultiChoice is now caught in lies as Naspers and MultiChoice's scandal keeps growing about its alleged involvement undue influence on the SABC to chance the government's decisions on set-top boxes (STBs) and unencrypted access for digital terrestrial television (DTT).

MultiChoice and Naspers is now being linked to serious allegations of corruption and State Capture through links and exorbitant amounts of money paid to the controversial Gupta family, the disgraced former minister of communications Faith Muthambi, the criticised ANN7 (DStv 405) channel, and the SABC.

MultiChoice has been asked in a media enquiry if it will be doing any investigation, and if any such investigation would be internal or external but MultiChoice has not given any clear answer to the question.

What is becoming clear is more and more apparent lies from MultiChoice.

In shocking new #GuptaLeaks, last week dropped a bombshell email trove, showing how MultiChoice made a dubious R25 million payment to the Guptas for its low-rated, biased and mistake-filled trash channel, in addition to upping the money MultiChoice pays to ANN7 from R50 million to a whopping R141 million per year.

The emails revealed that MultiChoice is paying ANN7 R141.38 million as part of its contract for the channel, a channel that stands accused of fostering racial discord, biased and unbalanced coverage and targeting politicians who are against president Jacob Zuma.

According to a 4th channel amendment agreement signed by Glen Marques in September 2015, MultiChoice upped its payment from R50 million to R100 million to a staggering R141 380 000 per year although ANN7 is the least watched of the three local TV news channels with SABC News and eNCA as rivals.

MultiChoice in response to a media enquiry said that "the fee structure for the ANN7 contract is in line with the costs of developing and running such a channel, and ANN7 is definitely not the highest-paid local news channel on the DStv platform".

"The R25 million fee is also not unusual. In this case, it was a pro rata payment in terms of an amendment agreement."

"The fee structure for the ANN7 contract is in line with the costs of developing and running such a channel, and ANN7 is definitely not the highest-paid local news channel on the DStv platform."

So MultiChoice said paying this massive amount of money is "not unusual" as far as a TV news channel is concerned.

Yesterday the Democratic Alliance (DA) political party's Phumzile Van Damme revealed an explosive transcript of a 6 June 2013 meeting between MultiChoice's then CEO Imtiaz Patel and chairperson Nolo Letele with the SABC board and executives. 

"We would not normally pay for a news channel. Okay. We don't," Imtiaz Patel said in the meeting according to the transcript.

"There is a unique relationship with e.tv… But, besides that we don't pay for any other news channel, anyway, okay. So we wouldn't normally pay you for a news channel."

MultiChoice either lied then, or MultiChoice lied now and it doesn't look good for the pay-TV operator who has so far ignored calls from the public and political parties for an investigation into allegations of collusion, corruption, and undue influence in South Africa's digital TV migration process.

More #GuptaLeaks engulfs MultiChoice in growing scandal over its controversial ANN7 contract; says there's nothing wrong paying ANN7 R141 380 000 per year.

More #GuptaLeaks revelations are engulfing MultiChoice in a growing scandal over its controversial ANN7 contract with the Guptas, with MultiChoice saying there's nothing wrong with paying ANN7 an eye-watering R141 380 000 per year for the low-rated, highly criticised and mistake-filled channel.

MultiChoice brand damage continues to increase as MultiChoice is being battered by ongoing new shocking revelations regarding its ANN7 (DStv 405) contract with the controversial Gupta family who are embroiled in State Capture claims.

MultiChoice itself is now being accused of corruption and collusion with the Guptas and tainted politicians like Faith Muthambi, by a growing chorus of the public and political parties.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) political party has given MultiChoice an ultimatum, saying DStv has 48 hours to make its contracts and prior negotiations with the Guptas over ANN7 public, or the DA will request the broadcasting regulator, Icasa, to compel MultiChoice to do so.

The Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) political parties are also calling for a public parliamentary inquiry into MultiChoice, its dealings and contracts with the Guptas over ANN7, and the former minister of communications, Faith Muthambi.

In shocking new #GuptaLeaks, News24 on Friday dropped a bombshell email trove, showing how MultiChoice made a dubious R25 million payment to the Guptas for its low-rated, biased and mistake-filled trash channel, in addition to upping the money MultiChoice pays to ANN7 from R50 million to a whopping R141 million per year.

The emails revealed that MultiChoice is paying ANN7 R141.38 million as part of its contract for the channel, a channel that stands accused of fostering racial discord, biased and unbalanced coverage and targeting politicians who are against president Jacob Zuma.

According to a 4th channel amendment agreement signed by Glen Marques in September 2015, MultiChoice upped its payment from R50 million to R100 million to a staggering R141 380 000 per year although ANN7 is the least watched of the three local TV news channels with SABC News and eNCA as rivals.

Ironically MultiChoice is splurging more money on ANN7 - although it only has a fraction of the viewership in the form of a paltry 8.9% news audience share - that what DStv is paying eMedia Investment's eNCA (DStv 403) that is now only getting R140.8 million from MultiChoice although it is the most watched TV news channel on all of DStv's platform with over 50% news audience share.

MultiChoice told News24 that when it decided to add ANN7 from the Gupas' Infinity Media Network, "the only other channel on the DStv platform at that stage was eNCA".

MultiChoice then says "The eNCA contract was up for renewal, and there were signs that it was not going to be renewed".

Also raising eyebrows in the latest #GuptaLeaks regarding ANN7 is how a MultiChoice executive, Clarissa Mack - now gone from DStv - directly sent policy documents - a "Effect of presidential proclamation"document in July 2014 to the then minister of communications Faith Muthambi about government policy.

Faith Muthambi, shockingly, then sent this MultiChoice document to Ashu Chawla of the Guptas, detailing how to give Faith Muthambi control over broadcasting in South Africa.

Clarissa Mack also created another document about signal distributors Sentech and Infraco that she sent from MultiChoice to Faith Muthambi - a document Faith Muthambi shockingly also sent to Ashu Chawla.

"See attached Proclamation that President must sign," Faith Muthambi wrote to Ashu Chawla, who then forwarded it to Tony Gupta.

In another eye-popping revelation, the then MultiChoice CEO Imtiaz Patel suddenly got listed as a director, along with Tony Gupta, and Jacob Zuma's son, Duduzane, in the same company, IslandsiteInvestments 255.

MultiChoice says it was only for a day, happened without Imtiaz Patel's knowledge and that he resigned and removed his name from the company register on the very same day he was appointed.


MultiChoice: Nothing unusual about paying ANN7 R141 380 000 per year
After the News24 story, TVwithThinus asked MultiChoice why Clarissa Mack while she worked for MultiChoice sent documents directly to Faith Muthambi and why MultiChoice increased the ANN7 payment from R50 million, then R100 million, to R141.38 million if ANN7 under-performed and received widespread criticism for its content.

MultiChoice was asked why the then CEO Imtiaz Patel was listed as director of a company with Tony Gupta and Jacob Zuma's son Duduzane Zuma and why MultiChoice made a once-off payment of R25 million to the Guptas for ANN7.

MultiChoice says "the fee structure for the ANN7 contract is in line with the costs of developing and running such a channel, and ANN7 is definitely not the highest-paid local news channel on the DStv platform".

"The R25 million fee is also not unusual. In this case, it was a pro rata payment in terms of an amendment agreement."

 The fee structure for the ANN7 contract is in line with the costs of developing and running such a channel, and ANN7 is definitely not the highest-paid local news channel on the DStv platform."

"Regarding our submission to Faith Muthabi: The Presidential Proclamation creating two new ministries didn't make sense to a number of stakeholders in the broadcasting sector," says MultiChoice.

"Several of these stakeholders made submissions to the minister suggesting it be corrected. MultiChoice was one of these, and many of its proposals were rejected."

MultiChoice says "it is standard practice for companies to interact with the industry regulator and government on policy matters, including making proposals on regulatory or legislative issues. There is nothing wrong with that."

MultiChoice didn't specify what it makes of Faith Muthambi sending MultiChoice's policy documents to the Guptas.

"There is absolutely no relationship between our submission on the proclamation, the channel supply agreement for ANN7, and any fees or increase in feed paid for that channel," says MultiChoice.

MultiChoice says "Imtiaz Patel was NOT involved in any business partnership with the Guptas and Duduzane Zuma in IslandsiteInvestments 255. The CIPC records reflect that he was appointed and resigned as a director on the very same day in 2009 - 8 years ago."

Earlier this week MultiChoice said it is not negotiating with ANN7 for a contract extension when the existing contract ends in June 2018.

Political parties demand parliamentary inquiry into MultiChoice's "corrupt" and "unethical" ANN7 deal with Guptas

Both the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Democratic Alliance (DA) political parties on Friday called for a parliamentary inquiry into MultiChoice's allegedly "corrupt" dealings with the Guptas and politicians over the ANN7 channel.

The DA's member of parliament Phumzile Van Damme told TVwithThinus that "we believe that this issue be investigated by parliament, as part of the broader State Capture inquiries undertaken by the different committees in Parliament."

"We are in particular seriously concerned about MultiChoice, and what appears to be unethical conduct in this regard relating to the Gupta family. We intend on getting to the bottom of this."

The EFF's member of parliament Mbuyiseni Ndlozi in a statement says "The EFF condemns the corrupt relations of MultiChoice and Faith Muthambi which suppressed competition within the pay-TV industry with disgust".

"The recent revelations in the #GuptaLeaks show how Faith Muthambi as minister of communications worked with the Guptas to solicit bribes in exchange for protection of MultiChoice from the competition".

"Koos Bekker's company, MultiChoice, paid millions to the Guptas, through ANN7, in exchange for Faith Muthambi to adopt the policy of unencryption in the set-top boxes for digital terrestrial television (DTT) migration."

"The Guptas, through their influence on Jacob Zuma and Faith Muthambi, managed to guarantee their stay on the DStv platform whilst being remunerated unreasonable amounts of money despite their low audience numbers," says Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.

"It is clear that MultiChoice was paying them for securing a DTT policy in relation to set-top boxes that would maintain them as the sole players in the pay-TV space."

'The EFF calls on parliament to hold an inquiry into the Gupta influence over Faith Muthambi. In this inquiry, companies like MultiChoice must be held accountable publicly for their criminal activities in the sector, suppressing competition in favour of their domination."

"The EFF will also be reporting MultiChoice to the Competition Commission to investigate how they influenced the policy on set-top boxes in favour of their market domination."

Executive shake-up at MultiChoice as pay-TV giant makes Calvo Mawela new CEO; and moves Mark Rayner, Yolisa Phahle and Fahmeeda Cassim Surtee.

Naspers Video Entertainment announced a MultiChoice top executives shake-up on late Thursday afternoon with Calvo Mawela as new MultiChoice South Africa CEO, M-Net CEO Yolisa Phahle in a newly-created position as "CEO of general entertainment" and Fahmeeda Cassim Surtee upped as new DStv Media Sales South Africa CEO.

All the appointments and executive position changes are effective immediately. 

Firstly Calvo Mawela is taking over as MultiChoice South Africa CEO from the accomplished Mark Rayner who goes back to being MultiChoice South Africa chief operating officer (COO), a position he served in previously.

Naspers says Calvo Mawela will be responsible for MultiChoice South Africa and DStv Media Sales in South Africa, and will focus on "strategic developments in the pay-TV industry".

Calvo Mawela - not that well known in South Africa's broadcasting industry as Mark Rayner and Yolisa Phahle - was in charge of regulatory affairs and policy for Naspers Video Entertainment and began his career at signal distributor Sentech.

Mark Rayner returns to the position of MultiChoice SA COO, a position he held before moving to the CEO position. Naspers says he will focus on "ensuring product and operational excellence that will give DStv customers the best entertainment experience".

In an odd move, Yolisa Phahle, accomplished as M-Net CEO, is now moved to a new title of "CEO of general entertainment". Naspers did't clarify what that means or what the job entails.

It's also not clear if M-Net will get a new CEO, whether the position is vacant, or getting shuttered,or what as "CEO of general entertainment" what exactly Yolisa Phahle will now be in charge of. 

Naspers only says "in her new role, she will continue to ensure that our customers have access to world class local and international entertainment".

In another stratifying move, the accomplished Fahmeeda Cassim Surtee is promoted to the position of CEO of DStv Media Sales South Africa.

Chris Hitchings will however remain and continue as "overall" CEO of DStv Media Sales, according to Naspers.

Gideon Khobane will continue to head up the sport pay-TV division as SuperSport CEO.

"This is a strong leadership team who can to take us into our next phase of growth," says Imtiaz Patel, Video Entertainment chief executive in the statement announcing the executive changes.

"While the pay television business faces technological shifts, regulatory and competitor challenges, the core focus remains delivering the best local and international content to our customers, anytime, anywhere on any device."

"Calvo Mawela and Mark Rayner are an impressive team who will steer MultiChoice South Africa into the future."

"Their combination of strategic and operational skill and experience complement each other. Calvo Mawela is well-positioned to drive strategy and growth in our South African operations. He has a rich and varied experience in broadcasting and a proven track record in managing complex issues in South Africa and the rest of the continent."

"Mark Rayner has proven himself to be able to get the best out of the business operationally. His focus will be to deliver the best experience to customers in the best possible way, making sure we achieve our business objectives, including financial and customer satisfaction targets, and drive efficiencies."