According to the Times, the reasons for the apparent cut include viewer complaints, failing to communicate changes to their schedule, not sticking to their schedule and poor quality broadcasting.
The reason of them not sticking to their schedule is rather silly. It is a NEWS channel. They are expected to provide rolling coverage of breaking news. Due to the increased amount of live events and breaking news occurring in recent months, the channel has even streamlined their schedule, cutting the 5:30pm entertainment news slot and the late night GameOn! broadcast. The only non traditional news program on the schedule that can be preempted, GameOn! at 6:30pm, is at a rather odd time in case of breaking news but anyone that watches a foreign channel like CNN knows how badly their rigid schedule is preempted for breaking news so it should be expected that South African channels should be allowed the same freedom.
The axe is alleged to swing over the Midrand-based channel in August, when their 3 year contract with Multichoice is up for renewal.
Due to the nature of the South African pay tv market, when Multichoice axes you, you close your doors for good as there is no other platform capable of supporting a capital intensive operation like a news channel on their own.
Multichoice earlier today replied to the Sunday Times' report, stating that the claims made by the paper are untrue and incorrect.
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