In separate statements at the weekend, the SABC and MultiChoice announced that last Saturday's T20 Cricket World Cup final, as well as two upcoming rugby test matches between the Springboks and Ireland on 6 and 13 July, would be broadcast on SABC platforms.
However, the agreement restricts the SABC from airing the matches on its channels that are carried on eMedia's platforms - notably free-to-air satellite platform Openview. The SABC is also restricted from streaming the matches on SABC+, its rapidly growing streaming platform. But an April ruling by the Competition Tribunal outlawed such agreements between the two broadcasters for a period of six months (or until the Competition Commission makes a determination over an earlier complaint by eMedia in this matter).
"The relevant facts establish beyond doubt that MultiChoice and SuperSport have deliberately engaged in a course of conduct to breach and subvert the order of the tribunal. This is a very serious state of affairs," said Antonio Lee, chief financial officer of eMedia, in a founding affidavit to the court seen by TechCentral.
"As far as my attorneys are aware, this is the first time that a dominant firm that is the subject of an interim relief order has acted in contempt of - and intentionally disobeyed - an order of the tribunal," Lee said.
The battle between the broadcasters began when eMedia filed complaints with the Competition Commission and the Competition Tribunal in October 2023 following MultiChoice's refusal to allow rugby and cricket games sublicensed to the SABC to be carried on Openview.
