Multichoice has removed free-to-air television channels from its broadcast service platform following directives from the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) and Minister for Works, Transport and Communications, Eng Isack Kamwelwe.
Multichoice Public Relations Officer, Johnson Mshana confirmed to the ‘Daily News’ that the channels were removed by midnight on Sunday to abide by regulator’s directive on free-to-air channels despite the matter being before the Fair Competition Tribunal (FCT) for arbitration.
“Immediately on Sunday midnight, we removed the channels. We can not go against the government’s directive,” said Mr Mshana in an interview.
TCRA has threatened to suspend Multichoice Tanzania and Simbanet licences for airing free-to-air television channels contrary to governing laws and regulations.
The regulator accused the two of failing to abide by licence stated conditions despite several warnings to not air free-to-air (FTA) channels as part of their services on subscription channels.
Minister Kamwelwe said on Saturday Multichoice Tanzania, owners of DSTV, Simbanet (ZUKU), and Azam Media Limited were not allowed to air free-to-air channels because they are not part of services on their subscription channels.
In June 2016, TCRA started an initiative to suspend free-to-air channels on pay TV services at the end of the month to cut operational costs.
The regulator was offering four FTA channels, but later reversed its decision and frozen the plan.
The decision came after the country managed to switch from analogue television signal to digital at the end of 2012 and became the first in mainland Sub-Saharan Africa to do so.
Daily News
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