TopTV CEO on way out over porn plans

TopTV CEO Vino Govender is getting axed because of his misguided porn plans and slow growth in subscriber numbers, reports TV writer Thinus Ferreira.

Govender outraged South Africans in early December when he backtracked on a 2010 pledge that TopTV would adhere to

TopTV CEO Vino Govender...on his way out

Christian family values and would not broadcast porn. The broadcaster’s porn plans were met by fierce public opposition  and was finally derailed last week when the Independent Broadcasting Authority of South Africa (Icasa) refused its application to launch a standalone package of three porn channels.

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On Digital Media (ODM)chairperson Eddie Mbalo  confirmed today that  a ”mutual separation” between the board of ODM and Govender is ”in discussion”. He said the board would issue a statement in due course, reports Ferreira. He says that Mbalo, who is the former CEO of the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is set to take over the CEO position from Govender.

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Govender’s exit has been arranged following growing unhappiness from TopTV’s board and incensed investors. 

Speaking about where TopTV went wrong, Janine Lazarus of Janine Lazarus Media Consultancy, told Channel24: “It will now be very difficult for the public to divorce the brand from the debate on pornography, and – even worse – the fracas surrounding getting the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (Icasa) stamp of approval. What is needed now is some serious rethinking and strategising – that is if it isn’t too late.”

3 Comments

  1. Thank the Lord there are those willing to fight this scourge. I wonder however whether there was any input from Muslim groups moderate or otherwise or silence as it is on terrorism against the Israeli civilian population

  2. Well Top tv never lived up to the expectation did they. I mean was there ever any threat to Dstv’s domination of the market.