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MultiChoice controversies

Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.

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  1. 2021

    Nigerian authorities freeze MultiChoice accounts

    Ban or restriction

    In 2021, Nigeria's revenue service stated that it had instructed banks to freeze the accounts of MultiChoice Africa and its Nigerian subsidiary. The authority cited alleged breaches of agreements and denied access to records for auditing. MultiChoice responded that the matter was based on unfounded allegations and that discussions with the authority were ongoing. The dispute centered on the freezing instruction and the competing accounts of the parties, with no further outcome recorded in the source.

    Nigeria’s revenue service said it had instructed banks to freeze MultiChoice Africa’s accounts and those of its Nigerian subsidiary, citing alleged breaches of agreements and denied access to records for auditing. MultiChoice said the matter was based on unfounded allegations and that discussions with the authority were ongoing.

    Stated objective. recover $4.4 billion

    Company response

    • Clarification — MultiChoice

      The matter is apparently based on unfounded allegations that MultiChoice Nigeria have not fully disclosed all existing subscribers to authorities

    • Ongoing disclosure — MultiChoice

      We have engaged openly with Firs and the engagements are ongoing in a transparent and constructive manner.

    • Denial — MultiChoice

      “The matter is apparently based on unfounded allegations that MultiChoice Nigeria has not fully disclosed all existing subscribers to authorities,” it continues.

    • Clarification — MultiChoice

      “We have not received formal notification of this matter, however, shareholders are advised that the Group is aware of reports in the media regarding an ongoing tax matter with the Nigerian Federal Inland Revenue Service,” the statement read.

    Source excerpt

    • Nigeria’s revenue service said yesterday that it had instructed banks to freeze MultiChoice Africa’s accounts and its Nigerian subsidiary for breaching agreements and denying access to their records for auditing.
    • The matter is apparently based on unfounded allegations that MultiChoice Nigeria have not fully disclosed all existing subscribers to authorities
    • We have engaged openly with Firs and the engagements are ongoing in a transparent and constructive manner.
    Source

  2. 2019

    Broadcasting-licence dispute over the JSE listing

    Khulisa Social Solutions complained to ICASA that the MultiChoice listing represented a transfer of a broadcasting licence requiring written approval. MultiChoice argued that the relevant licence was held by MultiChoice rather than Naspers and therefore had not been transferred by the listing.

    Source

  3. 2019

    Regulatory scrutiny of pay-TV market dominance

    ICASA examined MultiChoice’s position in the South African pay-TV market and considered whether exclusive long-term content arrangements should be divided to enable greater competition. MultiChoice opposed the proposed approach in principle.

    Source