Tatenda Zengeni and Genna Robb
The recent public outcry in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Nigeria over a decision by Multichoice to increase its subscription fees points again to the competition issues that characterise the pay-tv market in the continent. Due to high prices, subscribers in Zimbabwe have resorted to buying decoders and paying their subscription in South Africa, which is relatively cheaper.
Anthea Paelo and Pamela Mondliwa
Kenya’s recent competition case against DSTV in the pay-tv industry is only one more in a growing list of complaints relating to exclusive agreements in the industry in African countries. In this particular case, Zuku, a satellite pay-tv provider and competitor to DSTV, approached the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) to protest MultiChoice’s (DSTV’s parent company) exclusive rights over content such as broadcasting of the English Premier League (EPL).
