My Tv Africa

[orbisat]

I have came across the website (http://www.mytvafrica.tv/more_info.html) of a new pay tv provider called My Tv Africa
It seems that multichoice will be getting competition next month

[telkomsuig]

I have came across the website (http://www.mytvafrica.tv/more_info.html) of a new pay tv provider called My Tv Africa
It seems that multichoice will be getting competition next month

Their site does not give details...looks like a fly by night perhaps...

[kingmonty]

Their site does not give details...looks like a fly by night perhaps...

No, there has been a lot in the media about these guys. Apparently they're setting up shop in Botswana (lower costs, etc) but they're a South African co that will likely get Icasa licenses to broadcast to SA. They're also lining up well over 300 channels - and a lot of it will be live content instead of the second-hand crap we get on DSTv. They're also adamant about lower cost. Naspers (owners of DSTV/Multichoice/MNet blah blah) said they're not worried about it. I also understand that they will be lining with a major content provider for live TV over IP. Sounds promising, and I can't wait.

Edit: I was mistaken: it's not MyTV (though I understand they will apply for a license as well) but BEStv that will launch the service as I described above.

For those interested, this is ICASA's standing on issuing of Pay TV licenses:

http://www.southafrica.info/doing_bu...ces-010206.htm

More information on BEStv is available here: http://www.biz-community.com/Article/196/66/8932.html and http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/tele...&CiRestriction. Will hunt for their official website.

[Moederloos]

If it is better and cheaper than DSTV, DSTV will have one less client in me.

EDIT: And it will not be difficult to be better or cheaper...

[telkomsuig]

I'd love to have some competition in the market. But forsee a few problems:

1) MIH have exclusive African rights with most of the big studios and tv networks ;
2) MIH milked the public blind in the last couple of years so they are sitting on a huge war chest of cash for marketing etc;

[kingmonty]

I'd love to have some competition in the market. But forsee a few problems:

1) MIH have exclusive African rights with most of the big studios and tv networks ;
2) MIH milked the public blind in the last couple of years so they are sitting on a huge war chest of cash for marketing etc;

Well, the BEStv and MyTv are operational already. They're also purchasing content directly, instead of going through the standard corrupt African channels. Also, *off the record*, Sentech is rumoured to be expanding their Vivid bouquet in the next 3 years to compete in Pay TV space as well... Though, honestly, I don't see them doing wonderfully, especially considering their woeful attempts to provide good service to a few thousand MyWireless users.....

[kingmonty]

Back to the BEStv article, I think the following quote illustrates the damage being done by our Monopolies in an awesome way:

Jones says out of the three key infrastructure players (Telkom, Vodacom and Sentech), not one was willing to support the idea. While researching the venture, Botswana emerged as a natural choice due to its proximity, economy and stability, he notes.

Source: http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/tele...&CiRestriction

[schitz011]

Seems this is their website

http://www.blackearthcomm.com/bestv.htm

Hope it happens.. Given the choice of watching the kuk on SABC/E and paying DSTV I will pay DSTV, but if theres a cheaper option that gives more then it's a no brainer which service I'll use...

[kingmonty]

Seems this is their website

http://www.blackearthcomm.com/bestv.htm

Thanks, also just found it

[schitz011]

Seems ICASA are talking mid 2007 for granting licenses.. :P

However, if BesTV operate out of Botswana and broadcast over satellite, surely it's not up to ICASA as it's not operated from South Africa (just as you could pick up English stations in France etc..) Think back to the days of BOP TV (showing my age here!)

[kingmonty]

Yeah, but they do want a South African license as well. Aslo, Icasa won't be limiting the number of licenses issued, which is also good news for competition

[schitz011]

Indeed, it is good news..
Of course if you read the press releases DSTV are already claiming that 'lack of exclusivity is bad for the market and growth'

Where the hell did all these people (telkom, Eskom etc..) go to buisness school?
Oh thats right, they didn't..

To be brutally honest, if I can pick up their signal on my dish in Gauteng and have to pay a Botswanan company for watchable TV, then so be it..

[Captain Beer]

At the moment I am picking up My TV, it seems to show Fashion TV and some other French channel.

[Farquaon]

At the moment I am picking up My TV, it seems to show Fashion TV and some other French channel.

And how do u do that?

[Captain Beer]

You know how to get new networks on your DStv box?

12722 H

26657-1/2

I pick it up most the time, but the signal quality is terrible!