Close Menu
TechCentralTechCentral

    Subscribe to the newsletter

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube LinkedIn
    WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
    TechCentralTechCentral
    • News

      10 red flags for Apple investors

      13 June 2025

      Chief sub-editor wanted – help shape South African tech media

      13 June 2025

      MultiChoice may unbundle SuperSport from DStv

      12 June 2025

      MVNO boom is reshaping South Africa’s mobile market

      12 June 2025

      South African law is failing gig-economy workers

      12 June 2025
    • World

      Qualcomm shows off new chip for AI smart glasses

      11 June 2025

      Trump tariffs to dim 2025 smartphone shipments

      4 June 2025

      Shrimp Jesus and the AI ad invasion

      4 June 2025

      Apple slams EU rules as ‘flawed and costly’ in major legal pushback

      2 June 2025

      Mark Zuckerberg has finally found a use for his metaverse

      30 May 2025
    • In-depth

      Grok promised bias-free chat. Then came the edits

      2 June 2025

      Digital fortress: We go inside JB5, Teraco’s giant new AI-ready data centre

      30 May 2025

      Sam Altman and Jony Ive’s big bet to out-Apple Apple

      22 May 2025

      South Africa unveils big state digital reform programme

      12 May 2025

      Is this the end of Google Search as we know it?

      12 May 2025
    • TCS

      TechCentral Nexus S0E1: Starlink, BEE and a new leader at Vodacom

      8 June 2025

      TCS+ | The future of mobile money, with MTN’s Kagiso Mothibi

      6 June 2025

      TCS+ | AI is more than hype: Workday execs unpack real human impact

      4 June 2025

      TCS | Sentiv, and the story behind the buyout of Altron Nexus

      3 June 2025

      TCS | Signal restored: Unpacking the Blue Label and Cell C turnaround

      28 May 2025
    • Opinion

      Beyond the box: why IT distribution depends on real partnerships

      2 June 2025

      South Africa’s next crisis? Being offline in an AI-driven world

      2 June 2025

      Digital giants boost South African news media – and get blamed for it

      29 May 2025

      Solar panic? The truth about SSEG, fines and municipal rules

      14 April 2025

      Data protection must be crypto industry’s top priority

      9 April 2025
    • Company Hubs
      • Africa Data Centres
      • AfriGIS
      • Altron Digital Business
      • Altron Document Solutions
      • Altron Group
      • Arctic Wolf
      • AvertITD
      • Braintree
      • CallMiner
      • CYBER1 Solutions
      • Digicloud Africa
      • Digimune
      • Domains.co.za
      • ESET
      • Euphoria Telecom
      • Incredible Business
      • iONLINE
      • Iris Network Systems
      • LSD Open
      • NEC XON
      • Network Platforms
      • Next DLP
      • Ovations
      • Paracon
      • Paratus
      • Q-KON
      • SkyWire
      • Solid8 Technologies
      • Telit Cinterion
      • Tenable
      • Vertiv
      • Videri Digital
      • Wipro
      • Workday
    • Sections
      • AI and machine learning
      • Banking
      • Broadcasting and Media
      • Cloud services
      • Contact centres and CX
      • Cryptocurrencies
      • Education and skills
      • Electronics and hardware
      • Energy and sustainability
      • Enterprise software
      • Fintech
      • Information security
      • Internet and connectivity
      • Internet of Things
      • Investment
      • IT services
      • Lifestyle
      • Motoring
      • Public sector
      • Retail and e-commerce
      • Science
      • SMEs and start-ups
      • Social media
      • Talent and leadership
      • Telecoms
    • Events
    • Advertise
    TechCentralTechCentral
    Home » News » TopTV makes its case for porn

    TopTV makes its case for porn

    By Editor14 March 2013
    Twitter LinkedIn Facebook WhatsApp Email Telegram Copy Link
    News Alerts
    WhatsApp
    Eddie Mbalo
    Eddie Mbalo

    Financially distressed pay-television broadcaster On Digital Media (ODM), owner of TopTV, has set out a case to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) in which it has argued that it should be allowed to broadcast X-rated content on its bouquet of satellite channels.

    TopTV wants to broadcast three pornographic channels, namely Playboy TV, Desire TV and Private Space. Icasa in 2012 blocked a previous attempt by TopTV to launch the channels, arguing, among other things, that the rights of women to equality and human dignity trumped the broadcaster’s right to freedom of expression.

    But TopTV came out fighting at public hearings at Icasa on Thursday. “In a democracy, adult citizens are free to make the choices that suit them within the rule of law,” said CEO Eddie Mbalo. “It is not the role of the state, the church, or any other body to dictate to people how they behave, as long as no one is harmed in the process.”

    Mbalo pointed to statistics purporting to show that a majority (71%) of respondents polled in a survey — the 501 respondents were TopTV subscribers — indicated that they agreed that adults had the “right to watch pornography” in the privacy of their homes. A further 51% indicated they were likely to subscribe to an adult channel.

    “The content does not contravene law on hate speech or incitement to violence. There is no law prohibiting the proposed adult content. In fact, we will show that refusal of channel authorisation would be unlawful and unconstitutional,” Mbalo said. In addition, TopTV argued that it had systems in place — including mandatory Pin codes — so that children would not be able to access the material.

    Despite this, he said TopTV had decided to narrow its application to the effect that it would only broadcast the channels during the “watershed period” between 8pm and 5am. In addition, the channels would not be available to prepaid customers but rather only to contract viewers. There were also checks and balances to ensure subscribers were over 18 years of age.

    Although TopTV is in financial difficulty, it argued at the Icasa hearings that it did not regard adult content as a “panacea” to solve its financial problems. “But it is a lucrative segment that could kick-start ODM’s recovery.”

    In October 2012, the company’s management team decided to seek a “business rescue” under section 129 of the new Companies Act. This, it said at the time, would provide a “protective bubble” around it and “buy it some time to complete the search for a strategic equity partner”.

    Several lobby groups, including Christian groupings, were scheduled to make presentations arguing against TopTV’s application during Thursday’s hearings.  — (c) 2013 NewsCentral Media

    • See also: How Icasa is stealing our freedom, by Duncan McLeod


    Desire TV Eddie Mbalo Icasa ODM On Digital Media Playboy Private Spice TopTV
    Subscribe to TechCentral Subscribe to TechCentral
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Email Copy Link
    Previous ArticleSamsung’s Kleek is no Spotify
    Next Article Chaos reigns over SABC chief

    Related Posts

    Up to Icasa whether Starlink gets a licence: Malatsi

    11 June 2025

    Karoo collision: Starlink vs science in South African skies

    9 June 2025

    TechCentral Nexus S0E1: Starlink, BEE and a new leader at Vodacom

    8 June 2025
    Company News

    SAPHILA 2025 – transcending with purpose, connection and AI-powered vision

    13 June 2025

    Building a cyber-resilient culture from the boardroom to the front lines

    12 June 2025

    How South Africa’s municipalities are finally getting smart

    12 June 2025
    Opinion

    Beyond the box: why IT distribution depends on real partnerships

    2 June 2025

    South Africa’s next crisis? Being offline in an AI-driven world

    2 June 2025

    Digital giants boost South African news media – and get blamed for it

    29 May 2025

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    © 2009 - 2025 NewsCentral Media

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.