Netflix could be forced to carry SABC content in South Africa

[Newsfeed]

Netflix could be forced to carry SABC content in South Africa

Foreign streaming platforms could face must-carry obligations following an ICASA inquiry, law firm Webber Wentzel said.

 

[oros]

Would be catastrophic and idiotic in many ways! Will blew up in their faces so much ways......

 

[rustypup]

NETFLIX already has too much ZA content infesting the catalogue. We really don't need more.

 

[TheMightyQuin]

Netflix could be forced to carry SABC content in South Africa

Foreign streaming platforms could face must-carry obligations following an ICASA inquiry, law firm Webber Wentzel said.

Here we go....surprised it took this long. I am surprised that ICASA has not noticed this low hanging fruit much sooner, ready to be extorted.

Musk didn't fall for it...I wonder what the streaming platforms will say?

Goodbye Amazon Prime, Netflix, AppleTV etc etc.

 

[Michae64]

Fair Share proponents argue that high-traffic OTT platforms should pay traditional telecommunications network operators for the construction and maintenance of broadband infrastructure.

This argument has been driven by the Association of Communications and Technology (ACT), an industry body representing companies like Cell C, Liquid, Rain, Telkom, MTN, and Vodacom.

According to the ACT, the video, audio, and messaging services OTTs provide in South Africa compete with regulated service providers, without contributing to infrastructure costs.

And we all know that the only way this idiotic argument becomes reality is because a bunch of ICASA people got some Vodacom/MTN money for their efforts.

 

[Brian_G]

Not gonna happen, streaming giants aren't interested in African idiots' commie demands. Net is free, net will remain free.

More ANC election rubbish.

 

[Bad Ballie]

Here we go....surprised it took this long. I am surprised that ICASA has not noticed this low hanging fruit much sooner, ready to be extorted.

Musk didn't fall for it...I wonder what the streaming platforms will say?

Goodbye Amazon Prime, Netflix, AppleTV etc etc.

Land up going back to international accounts and VPN.

 

[blaaislaai]

Even if it does happen, nobody will watch

 

[justplain]

And what happens if they dont?
Seems that most laws or requirements are reliant of one party doing what they are told and the other being a position to do something about it if the other doesnt do as they're told.
In this instance.....exactly what is ICASA etc going to do? Physically unplug everyones routers? Throw a tantrum?
Netflix...do what you want.

 

[xumwun]

Land up going back to international accounts and VPN.

Except most streaming services don't work on a VPN.

 

[Spyda]

Just another way they will try and enforce the TV license fees.

 

[Bad Ballie]

Except most streaming services don't work on a VPN.

where there's a will....

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

SABC already has a good, solid streaming service - unless they want to kill that, which would be very stupid.

Tho our local gummy idiots, are known for cutting of their noses to spite their faces, and then claim a "WIN"

But yeah, they must have their place on the Darwin Awards List at all costs.

Not that I care either way, as I don't subscribe to Netflix.

 

[system32]

There are two different issues:

• Must-carry obligation
• Fair-share infrastructure costs

Must-carry

The must-carry obligation only applies to pay-TV broadcasters.​

Netflix is a Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) service not a traditional "Linear TV broadcaster".​

Netflix is not pushing (broadcast) content to my PC, I'm requesting the stream.​

Not sure what consumer benefit will come from forcing Netflix to carry SABC content.​

SABC content is already available on on the internet via SABC+ https://sabc-plus.com​

Netflix does not own the physical broadcast network or radio spectrum.​

The internet is the pipe.​

The internet already carries SABC+ content.​

Case closed.​

Fair-share

Association of Communications and Technology (ACT), an industry body representing companies like Cell C, Liquid, Rain, Telkom, MTN, and Vodacom.

This is a classic case of double-dipping.​

This breaks the Net Neutrality principles.​

Consumers already pay $$$ for data from Cell C, Liquid, Rain, Telkom, MTN, and Vodacom which they need to invest in infrastrcture.​

High quality content drives purchases of data and increased profit for these companies.​

ACT members already get their fair share of income from consumers.​

There is no evidence that the current consumer pays for data system is broken.​

Public Interest

The regulator said it would conduct an inquiry into the impact of OTT services on licensees and on the regulatory framework under section 4B of the ICASA Act of 2000.
This section requires ICASA to regulate the electronic communications, broadcasting, and postal sectors in the public interest.

I would like to know from ICASA how these proposals are in the "public interest".
Why double-dipping and paying twice is in the "public interest".
What "public interest" is there in forcing Netflix carry SABC when we have SABC+ via internet.

In Europe, regulators officially rejected the "Fair Share" infrastructure levy.
see https://techcentral.co.za/eu-kills-fair-share-plan-south-africa/267765/

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

In Europe, regulators officially rejected the "Fair Share" infrastructure levy.
see https://techcentral.co.za/eu-kills-fair-share-plan-south-africa/267765/

Our largesilators, are open to big fat bribes.

 

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

NETFLIX already has too much ZA content infesting the catalogue. We really don't need more.

They want the crap soap operas and shyte like ITS-A-DINGO and other garbage dripping with ANC propaganda on Netflix. Ain't gonna happen.

 

[ToxicBunny]

NETFLIX already has too much ZA content infesting the catalogue. We really don't need more.

I have no issue with them having it, but what I do want is the ability to filter content based on primary language, or region or something so I can get rid of all the stuff infesting the lists.

 

[Mirai]

Netflix could be forced to carry SABC content in South Africa

Foreign streaming platforms could face must-carry obligations following an ICASA inquiry, law firm Webber Wentzel said.

So suppose there were some SABC shows hosted on Netflix. Would our guys complain if nobody watched them? They'd just hog space on Netflix servers.

 

[Mirai]

They want the crap soap operas and shyte like ITS-A-DINGO and other garbage dripping with ANC propaganda on Netflix. Ain't gonna happen.

Although it's BLACK ROCK vs ANC. If they want to have a fight, let them.

 

[Brian_G]

...law firm Webber Wentzel said

Sounds like these guys tried to get some free publicity here. What a backwards comment to try do that with, wow.

Streaming giants could face nothing at all, will never happen unless they decided to do so themselves for some reason.