NO NOT 1080i it is 1080p which is not like 720p at all. And they are not subscription services, nor do you need to pay a tv license. It is sort of like eTV. The sport commentators are actually fairly intelligent too (unlike the rubbish SABC et al used to drag up...5fm djs haha).
All channels have a HD version (some have 720p as well as 1080p versions for the different tvs), you just tune into the appropriate one.
Television Networks in Australia operate entirely differently to South Africa. Of the 5 main channels:
-1 is a commercial-free government funded station,ABC. This operates on a similar model to, and is affiliated with BBC.
-3 are fully commercial- 7,9 & 10. Like eTV.
-1 is a Community Network, that is funded by Subscribers and by some advertising- SBS.
All these Networks are highly competitive, and it's this dynamic, I think has positive advatages. Which is seen by the fact that all have leapt onto the HD bandwagon.
A disadvantage I see in South Africa, is that SABC is bastardised. It is supposed to be a government provided network, but it's tarnished by commercial interest and the fact that the network's strength is diluted by the fact it must cover many demographics.
eTV is just sitting pretty.
mNet is just a bizarre side shoot. I mean wtf is the reason people should pay for it? They advertise as ruthlessly as eTV and SABC.
To me it just goes to show that the competitive environment is not dynamic enough. They're all just cash cows.
HD DTV in South Africa? What's the incentive?