COMPETITION COMMISSION INVESTIGATES MULTICHOICE’S MOVE TO ADD NETFLIX TO ITS OFFERING

Multichoice’s plan to add streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video to their bundle offering, is being investigated by the Competition Commission.

DStv recently announced that it will be unveiling the new DStv Explora with the two international streaming offerings included as options for their subscribers to choose from, as well as the current DStv Now, Showmax and Joox already on offer.

This means that it will be made available to subscribers as an option that will be added as a line item on their monthly DStv statement. For DStv it means that they do not lose subscriptions because they give current subscribers the chance to make use of their added service as a one-stop-shop, and for the streaming services it means that they get extra subscriptions.

News24 reports that Multichoice also aims to include other global streaming services in the future like Disney+, HBO Max, Spotify and others. This is a move similar to international pay-TV operators like Canal+, Sky and Comcast.

A number of South African bodies have united in a bid to oppose new broadcasting regulations, as they stand to lose significant funding due to the new model, reports BusinessTech. DStv is also the largest funder of a number of sporting codes in the country.

A spokesperson for the Competition Commission told News24 that they’re not commenting on the issue because it is still at a very sensitive stage.

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