FRIDAY, 11.00AM
THE Independent Broadcasting Authority will allow pay station M-Net to keep its free-viewing window, in a decision likely to upset the national SA Broadcasting Corporation and bidders for the free-to-air TV license on offer later this year.
The SABC and other bidders had registered strong objections to M-Net’s maintaining the hour-a-day free-viewing window saying it gives M-Net an unfair advantage. M-Net contended it would go bust without the window, which it uses to sell its wares. M-Net also argued the window allows viewers unable to afford pay-TV the opportunity to use the service.
The IBA’s approval of a continuation of the window is conditional on a 20% local drama quota, with a maximum 12 minutes advertising in the hour.
BUSINESS BRIEFS
MINORCO BUYS INTO TRIARX ANGLO American’s offshore investment arm Minorco has signed a deal with Triarx gold entitling Minorco to earn a 51% equity interest in Triarx’s Tingi Valley and Poru copper and gold exploration properties in Papua New Guinea. In return Minorco must spend $11-million on exploration in four years.
NO SUN APPEAL SOUTHERN Sun’s casino associate Tsogo Sun has been refused leave in the high court to appeal and order that Tsogo give rival Karos/Esikhehleni access to documents on Tsogo’s Nelspruit casino licence bid. Tsogo Sun won the Nelspruit licence. Karos/Esikhehleni, one of the losing finalists, launched legal action to force Tsogo to release information it required in making a decision whether to mount a court challenge to the issue of the licence. Tsogo has announced it will petition the chirf justice for an appeal, and will not release any information until the chief justice makes his decision.
MUNICIPAL WORKERS MARCH THE SA Municipal Workers’ Union will march through central Johannesburg on Monday in support of its anti-privatisation campaign. The union expects 200 000 workers to join the protest.