MultiChoice drops Russian news channel, as global sanctions pile up on Moscow

JSE-listed MultiChoice Group confirmed in a late-night statement on Wednesday that Russian state-owned news channel Russia Today (RT) has been “removed from [the] DStv platform until further notice”.

However, the decision does not seem to be one made by the SA-based entertainment group itself, but is linked to the fact that MultiChoice is no longer getting distribution of the RT channel from its European feed suppliers.

“Sanctions imposed on Russia by the European Union [EU] have led to the global distributor of the channel ceasing to provide the broadcast feed to all suppliers, including MultiChoice,” the group explained in its brief statement.

Read: EU clears sanctions on some of Russia’s wealthiest tycoons

MultiChoice’s announcement comes as countries and economies around the world – including the United States, EU nations, United Kingdom, Japan and Canada – have imposed harsh sanctions on Russia in the wake of its attack on Ukraine.

Icasa weighs in

In a separate statement released yesterday, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) says it awaits explanation from MultiChoice as to why the Russian news channel has been removed from its DStv platform.

“Our Licensing and Compliance Division has not received any notification by Multichoice confirming the discontinuation of the channel on its DStv platform,” Icasa chairperson Dr Keabetswe Modimoeng says.

Read: Why did DStv abruptly backtrack on its streaming future?

“Given the underlying principle of the South African broadcasting system for promoting plurality of views, it is only prudent for Icasa to enquire with DStv on the rationale for the discontinuation of the RT channel,” she adds.

Icasa’s statement may have been made before MultiChoice’s late night statement on the matter, where MultiChoice clarified that the move is related to a cut in feed from its European satellite supplier.

MultiChoice is not the only provider to remove the news channel from its platform. Several media reports also indicate that the Russian news channel will lose its slots on Sky TV in the UK and British TV.

Global giants boycott Russia

Some of the world’s largest companies in various sectors have decided to pull out of Russia, as the country continues its invasion of Ukraine.

Toyota and Honda, some of Japan’s leading car manufactures, are the most recent companies to pull out of Russia.

Read: Toyota and Honda join growing corporate retreat from Russia

In a statement it released on its website on Thursday, Toyota Motor Corporations says it will from the 4 of March stop doing business in Russia.

“Toyota Motor Russia will stop production at its St-Petersburg plant from 4 March and has stopped imports of vehicles, until further notice, due to supply chain disruptions,” the car manufacturer says.

Oil companies like Shell Plc and BP Plc have also abandoned the country following its invasion of the Ukraine.

BP’s move to abandon its 20% share in Russia-controlled Rosneft, could cut its oil and gas production significantly.

Tech and athleisure companies like Apple Inc and Nike have also followed suit, with both announcing that they will be stopping product sales in Russia.

Read:
Apple, Nike and Hollywood spurn Russia, isolating Putin
BP to exit its 20% stake in Russian oil giant Rosneft