StarSat, the South African satellite television provider, has officially ceased operations following the liquidation of its parent company, OnDigital Media. Marketing manager Jan Hendrik Harmse confirmed the development, marking the end of the service that had left its subscribers without answers for months.
The downfall of StarSat began when the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) raided the company’s offices in October 2024, cutting off its broadcast signals. Since then, customers have been left in the dark, receiving little more than a vague apology from the company.
At the time, StarSat reassured subscribers that efforts were underway to restore service and even promised bonuses to those who had already paid. However, months later, many customers are still waiting for refunds, with numerous complaints about unanswered calls and emails. Frustrated users have taken to social media, particularly Facebook, to demand their money back, but StarSat has remained silent.
The company’s troubles stemmed from its failure to renew its broadcasting licence on time. Records indicate that the licence expired in July 2023, but StarSat continued operations without submitting the necessary renewal documents. Despite being ordered to cease broadcasting by September 18, 2024, the company ignored the directive. This led to Icasa’s dramatic intervention on October 2, which resulted in an immediate shutdown of its services across South Africa and beyond.
Harmse acknowledged the delay in submitting the renewal application, attributing it to the Covid-19 pandemic and unresolved shareholder agreements. He claimed StarSat had engaged with Icasa regarding the issue, but those discussions did not prevent the regulator from taking decisive action.
As recently as January 2025, StarSat was still pushing the narrative of a potential comeback, stating that efforts were being made to get back on air. However, with OnDigital Media now liquidated, any hopes of a revival have been extinguished. Subscribers who were left without service and refunds may now have little recourse, as the company’s closure appears to be final.
