No warning as DStv drops e.tv channels - again

The Competition Tribunal ruled against eMedia in an appeal to keep four channels on the DStv platform.

Viewers were left in the dark with no programmes as they tried to watch certain

eMedia channels on the DStv platform last night. Multichoice turned off the four channels (eExtra, eMovies, eMovies extra, eToonz) immediately and without warning as soon as the ruling was announced.

eMedia approached the Competition Tribunal in April this year to seek relief after a renewed channel supply agreement between Multichoice and eMedia in which Multichoice opted not to carry certain eMedia channels, namely eMovies, eMovies Extra, eExtra and eToonz.

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.

All the e.tv channels will continue to broadcast on Openview.