Johannesburg, South Africa- MultiChoice which owns DStv, has dropped four tv channels from all its bouquets due to a verdict given by the Competition Tribunal.
The channels owned by eMedia which include, eExtra, eMovies, eMovies extra and eToonz were last night removed from DStv.
During the Competition Tribunal hearings in April, MultiChoice revealed that it would only have the capacity for 11 more channels on its satellites after cancelling the four from eMedia.
MultiChoice argued that the rejection of eMedia’s four channels was based on an assessment of their distinctiveness and appeal, which fell short of DStv’s commercial requirements.
“No reasons were provided for the ruling by the Competition Tribunal. The unannounced switch-off also left eMedia without sufficient time to communicate to viewers. Viewers are angry and disappointed that they are no longer able to see their programmes via the DStv platform,” read a statement from eMedia adding that the removed channels will continue to broadcast on its Openview platform.
Meanwhile, Yolisa Phahle, General Entertainment, and Connected Video CEO of MultiChoice has announced that the pay-tv has completed the installation of its first Dolby Atmos-enabled production suite.
“In line with our strategy to be Africa’s leading storyteller, our media technology team continues to ensure our production values increase and can compete with the best in the world.
The new production suite unlocks business benefits for MultiChoice, as movies and series can be packaged for international broadcasters that require Atmos-ready content. It also unlocks a world of creativity for the creation of future content on the company’s platforms,” said Phahle.
Dolby Atmos, developed by Dolby Laboratories, is a surround sound technology that adds height channels for 3D-like effects in movies and television series, allowing viewers to feel like they are immersed in the action.
