{"id":490119,"date":"2023-05-07T17:59:15","date_gmt":"2023-05-07T15:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/?p=490119"},"modified":"2023-05-07T18:12:38","modified_gmt":"2023-05-07T16:12:38","slug":"dstvs-biggest-threat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mybroadband.co.za\/news\/broadcasting\/490119-dstvs-biggest-threat.html","title":{"rendered":"DStv’s biggest threat"},"content":{"rendered":"

While international streaming services are increasingly interested in acquiring the rights<\/a><\/strong> to show many popular live sports, they aren’t the biggest threat to DStv’s dominance in live sports broadcasting in South Africa.<\/p>\n

That is according to seasoned television broadcasting journalist Thinus Ferreira from TV with Thinus<\/strong><\/a>, who believes the major danger for DStv lies within the country’s borders \u2014 local regulation.<\/p>\n

Ferreira argues that the possibility of industry regulator Icasa restricting what types and how much live sport the pay-TV broadcaster is allowed to licence was a more immediate threat.<\/p>\n

“The clock is definitely ticking for MultiChoice in terms of losing its stranglehold on sports licencing rights,” Ferreira told MyBroadband.<\/p>\n

“The biggest danger is legislation or regulations that might prevent MultiChoice and SuperSport from acquiring certain content.<\/p>\n

“The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) could place a quota or limit or certain restrictions on what SuperSport might buy.”<\/p>\n

DStv parent MultiChoice has much deeper pockets than the SABC, eMedia, and other broadcasters, enabling it to pay for exclusive access to most high-profile rugby, cricket, golf, tennis, or other sporting events.<\/p>\n

However, Icasa’s inquiry into DStv’s apparent dominance<\/strong><\/a> in the subscription broadcast market in South Africa could threaten that advantage.<\/p>\n

Its previous draft findings, published in 2020, included recommendations that would result in the following:<\/p>\n