Econet denies court ruling sparked end of Kwesé satellite TV service

Econet Media has denied press reports that it discontinued its pay TV satellite service across 11 African markets, including Kenya, following a ruling by Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court regarding its licencing status in the southern African country.

“The article is referring to a recent Supreme Court judgement (Judgement No. SC62/18) in the case between The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe and Dr Dish (Pvt) Ltd in which the Court ruled that Dr Dish (Pvt) Ltd had failed to comply with the terms of a Content Distribution License issued to it by BAZ when it tried to distribute content from Econet Media (Mauritius), an Econet Media statement said in reaction to reports in a section of the Zimbabwean press.

“The article is referring to a recent Supreme Court judgement (Judgement No. SC62/18) in the case between The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe and Dr Dish (Pvt) Ltd in which the Court ruled that Dr Dish (Pvt) Ltd had failed to comply with the terms of a Content Distribution License issued to it by BAZ when it tried to distribute content from Econet Media (Mauritius),” an Econet Media spokesman said.

“Although Dr Dish had a Content Distribution Agreement with Econet Media Mauritius, Econet Media Zimbabwe terminated all and any agreements with Dr Dish when Dr Dish persisted with litigation against BAZ. At the time that Econet Media Zimbabwe ended the relationship Dr Dish, Econet Media Mauritius also terminated its Content Distribution Agreement with Dr Dish. Econet duly notified the Courts of its withdrawal from the agreement with Dr Dish,” added the spokesman,

“Nothing could be further from the truth. On observing global changes being driven by the internet, technology and globalisation, and their impact on business models, consumer preference and behaviour patterns, we have taken the strategic decision to refocus the business based on market trends. All we have done is to de-emphasise our satellite service and redirect our efforts and resources towards a future-proof business model, which recognises the global shift by consumers towards connected digital services, As a matter of fact, Kwesé TV has not gone anywhere,” he added.

According to the spokesman, Econet Media has streamlined it service to 15 channels, which include the popular Kwesé Free Sports channel, premium faith TV channels and news.

“More importantly, we have, in line with the refocus and strategic shift to digital, extended a free 12-month Kwesé iflix subscription to each of our existing Kwesé TV subscribers, to enable them to enjoy an unlimited choice of videos and movies as well as linear channels available on Kwesé iflix. We are excited to be leading in this digital entertainment revolution,” he added.

Kwesé TV satellite services came to an end on November 1 with Econet media saying subscribers who had paid up to the end of November or in advance will be refunded.