StarSat, a satellite pay-TV provider in South Africa, has officially shut down following the liquidation of its license holder, OnDigital Media (ODM). This decision marks the end for a company that once competed fiercely in the broadcasting space.
The troubles began escalating months ago when the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) conducted a raid on StarSat’s headquarters in Midrand on October 2, 2024. This operation was prompted by the expiration of StarSat’s broadcasting license, which resulted in the disconnection of their broadcast signals. Many subscribers are left frustrated, expressing their anger over unfulfilled prepaid subscriptions and demanding refunds.
Jan Hendrik Harmse, the marketing manager for StarSat, confirmed that the entity managing StarSat’s payments and holding its broadcasting license has been liquidated. He stated, “OnDigital Media, the independent broadcasting license holder that processed payments for StarSat, has been liquidated,” indicating the complete cessation of the broadcaster’s operations in the country.
The downfall of StarSat stems from a protracted conflict with ICASA regarding its broadcasting license renewal, which had lapsed on July 8, 2023. South African broadcasting regulations require that license renewal applications be submitted between 12 and 6 months before expiration. However, StarSat filed its application in November 2023, four months late. As a result, ICASA declared it ineligible for renewal. Regardless, StarSat continued to operate, which led to ICASA ordering a shutdown on September 18, 2024.
Upon defying this order, ICASA executed a raid at StarSat’s office and confiscated essential broadcasting equipment, impacting its South African services and operations in other African markets under the StarTimes Media brand. Harmse criticized the approach taken by authorities, asserting that key equipment for broader broadcasts was taken during the raid.
After the raid, StarSat communicated with its customers on October 8, 2024, apologizing for signal interruptions caused by the disconnection of their equipment and promising efforts to restore service. The broadcaster also suspended all payments, assuring customers that those with paid subscriptions would not lose their funds and would receive bonuses once services resumed. However, silence followed that communication, and a service return never happened.
Subscribers have increasingly voiced anger over the lack of service and their unrefunded subscription costs, especially for fees owed for October 2024 and beyond. Many have taken to StarSat’s Facebook page to seek clarification and refunds.
Previously, StarSat directed customers wanting refunds to email a specific address, but reports show many emails have gone unanswered. Attempts to contact customer support have also gone unreturned, leaving customers with limited options. With ODM now in liquidation, customers are at risk of having to join a long list of creditors with no certainty of recovering their funds.
StarSat’s difficulties had accumulated long before the raid, primarily due to its failure to meet ICASA’s renewal deadlines. Harmse acknowledged in October 2024 that the late submission was due to challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, investor difficulties, and unresolved shareholder agreements.
“We kept communicating the issue to them,” he asserted, insisting they had met regulatory requirements despite the delayed submission. Following the raid, StarSat sought legal recourse, aiming to challenge ICASA’s decision and restore its services. As late as January 2025, Harmse expressed hope regarding a potential relaunch in South Africa, noting they had restored signals in several other African nations.
Unfortunately, these efforts ultimately failed, and the liquidation of ODM signifies the end of StarSat’s operations in South Africa.
