MultiChoice and Altech face tribunal action over alleged pay-TV market deal.
Image: File photo: Reuters
THE Competition Commission of South Africa has referred MultiChoice South Africa and Altech UEC South Africa to the Competition Tribunal for prosecution over alleged market division in the pay-TV sector.
In a complaint filed with the tribunal on 15 April 2026, the commission alleges that MultiChoice and Altech entered into an agreement to divide markets by allocating suppliers and specific goods or services, in contravention of section 4(1)(b)(ii) of the Competition Act.
Altech manufactures set-top boxes used to operate subscription-based television services, while MultiChoice uses the devices to provide its pay-TV offering. MultiChoice sources its set-top boxes from Altech.
According to the commission, its investigation found that in February 2014, MultiChoice and Altech reached an agreement under which Altech would not enter or compete in the pay-TV market in which MultiChoice operates.
The commission alleges that this arrangement amounted to market division through the allocation of suppliers and specific goods or services.
It is seeking an order declaring that MultiChoice and Altech contravened the Act and that both companies are liable for an administrative penalty of up to 10% of their respective annual turnover.
Recently, MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company, announced the end of its streaming service Showmax following a comprehensive review of its streaming activities.
In a statement, it said the decision by the Showmax board of directors reflected the continued focus of MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company, on financial discipline and investment optimisation in an increasingly competitive and capital-intensive global streaming environment.