MultiChoice has described\u00a0allegations that its\u00a0channel distribution agreement with the SABC is a “merger” – and will put it in a position to “influence SABC policy” –\u00a0as\u00a0“far-fetched”.<\/p>\n
The allegations come from Caxton Media\u00a0following a submission to the\u00a0Competition Tribunal<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>which stated the\u00a0<\/strong>deal is not in the public interest.<\/p>\n “We have responded to these allegations in an affidavit, which was submitted to the Tribunal on 17 April 2015,” said MultiChoice.<\/p>\n \u201cWe totally reject the allegations and the misrepresentations they\u2019re based on. There\u2019s simply no basis to suggest that there is anything wrong with our relationship with the SABC.\u00a0The truth is: this is a standard commercial agreement for the supply of two television channels.”<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s also standard practice to commission and license new channels. So there\u2019s no way this can be described as a \u2018merger\u2019 that needs approval by the competition authorities.\u201d<\/p>\n Caxton also alleged that the deal will allow MultiChoice to influence the SABC’s position on digital encryption.<\/p>\n Netflix for pirates iOS app: MultiChoice responds<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Minister has inappropriate relationship with MultiChoice: DA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nMore on MultiChoice<\/h3>\n