South Africa's competition watchdog rules SABC, Multichoice deal a merger

The competition watchdog has ruled that a deal between MultiChoice, Naspers’ pay-TV business and the country’s public broadcaster constituted a merger. [Photo: Courtesy]

JOHANNESBURG- South Africa’s competition watchdog has ruled that a distribution deal between MultiChoice, Naspers’ pay-TV business and the country’s public broadcaster in 2013 constituted a notifiable merger.

The Competition Commision said MultiChoice, Africa’s biggest pay-TV operator, and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) could face disciplinary action if they do not register the transaction as a merger under the Competition Act.