DStv price hikes from 2007-2012

DSTV seriously needs competition. Although not the same, but if one compares broadband prices to 2007/2008 tariffs, there is a significant decrease, a total opposite to the incumbent satellite broadcaster.
 
Unless something changes in the year ahead, DStv subscribers should expect to see another increase, more-or-less in line with inflation, this time next year.
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Yes, that is the way of monopolies.

And it's 'more' than inflation as the article confirmed, i.e it is not in line with inflaction.
 
We need a table showing Multichoice's net profit over the years as well.
 
Lame answer

http://forum.dstv.com/showthread.php?t=11207

We had a discussion a while ago on Wendy Knowler's show on PVR access fees. Here is the summary, which explains why the fee is needed.

In the past, DStv subscribers who wanted to be able to watch more than one channel at the same time, or to watch one channel whilst recording another, would have had to buy two decoders, and pay subscription fees twice.
However, in recent years MultiChoice has introduced what we call a "multiple environment" so as to avoid subscribers incurring this duplication of expenses. Our Dual View and PVR decoders afford subscribers significant savings, and enable them to watch more than one programme at the same time, or to watch a programme whilst recording another.
However, this multiple environment is far more complex to operate. We have had to develop and maintain far more sophisticated business systems. We have also had to develop, maintain and constantly upgrade – through software downloads via satellite – the software embedded in the relevant decoders. (In this regard we wish to point out that full PVR functionality flows from the combination and interaction of the software embedded in the decoder with the software based at MultiChoice.) In addition, the more advanced offering to subscribers has increased the number and complexity of call centre queries. As a consequence, we have had to increase and maintain our investment in technology, business and administrative systems, and staff. We have accordingly charged an access fee to cover some of these costs.
Our subscribers thus enjoy added value in two senses: their viewing environment is enriched, and at the same time they benefit from significant savings.
Click to expand...
 
These prices are insane, actually. Especially for such "old" technology.

If Telkom wasn't as useless as they are theres such a massive window of opportunity, just increase broadband speeds and penetration while lowering costs significantly and you'll have a direct competitor for DSTV via online services etc. They don't even have to cater for the hardware, software or services, it's already there, we just need much better speeds.

20Mbps should be more than enough for now.
 
RaptorSA said:
These prices are insane, actually. Especially for such "old" technology.

If Telkom wasn't as useless as they are theres such a massive window of opportunity, just increase broadband speeds and penetration while lowering costs significantly and you'll have a direct competitor for DSTV via online services etc. They don't even have to cater for the hardware, software or services, it's already there, we just need much better speeds.

20Mbps should be more than enough for now.
Click to expand...

As I understand it, this is precisely why Telkom is working on rolling out 40Mbps VDSL with content partnerships to go with it. International content distribution remains a challenge it seems... Getting hold of movies and series legally over the Net just isn't possible for the most part without a VPN.

Even music is limited in SA with no access to Spotify, Amazon, Google, or iTunes. At least we have 7digital and Nokia.

Satellite broadcasting will still have a big advantage over VDSL (and hopefully FTTH one day), though: coverage.

Until it becomes profitable to roll out fibre and MSANs to areas outside South Africa's main centres, not everyone will be able to get IPTV, while almost everyone has line of site to DStv and TopTV's satellite.
 
Not to worry. Bandwidth is becoming cheaper and DSTV more expensive, so I'm rapidly approaching the threshold of switching my entertainment budget from DSTV to ADSL completely.

If only Telkom weren't even more pathetic than Multichoice I would have thrown the switch already.
 
Jan said:
As I understand it, this is precisely why Telkom is working on rolling out 40Mbps VDSL with content partnerships to go with it. International content distribution remains a challenge it seems... Getting hold of movies and series legally over the Net just isn't possible for the most part without a VPN.

Even music is limited in SA with no access to Spotify, Amazon, Google, or iTunes. At least we have 7digital and Nokia.

Satellite broadcasting will still have a big advantage over VDSL (and hopefully FTTH one day), though: coverage.

Until it becomes profitable to roll out fibre and MSANs to areas outside South Africa's main centres, not everyone will be able to get IPTV, while almost everyone has line of site to DStv and TopTV's satellite.
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Agreed.
Finding content providers is tough, for now. But lhere's to hoping it'll happen soon, very soon.
Man I love uncapped ADSL.
 
duderoo said:
Lame answer

http://forum.dstv.com/showthread.php?t=11207
We had a discussion a while ago on Wendy Knowler's show on PVR access fees. Here is the summary, which explains why the fee is needed.

In the past, DStv subscribers who wanted to be able to watch more than one channel at the same time, or to watch one channel whilst recording another, would have had to buy two decoders, and pay subscription fees twice.
However, in recent years MultiChoice has introduced what we call a "multiple environment" so as to avoid subscribers incurring this duplication of expenses. Our Dual View and PVR decoders afford subscribers significant savings, and enable them to watch more than one programme at the same time, or to watch a programme whilst recording another.
However, this multiple environment is far more complex to operate. We have had to develop and maintain far more sophisticated business systems. We have also had to develop, maintain and constantly upgrade – through software downloads via satellite – the software embedded in the relevant decoders. (In this regard we wish to point out that full PVR functionality flows from the combination and interaction of the software embedded in the decoder with the software based at MultiChoice.) In addition, the more advanced offering to subscribers has increased the number and complexity of call centre queries. As a consequence, we have had to increase and maintain our investment in technology, business and administrative systems, and staff. We have accordingly charged an access fee to cover some of these costs.
Our subscribers thus enjoy added value in two senses: their viewing environment is enriched, and at the same time they benefit from significant savings.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

In other words:
We used to rape you badly, now we're using lube AND condoms. Why are you not eagerly bending over :confused:
 
evilstebunny said:
Bandwidth is becoming cheaper and DSTV more expensive, ....switching my entertainment budget from DSTV to ADSL completely.
Click to expand...

One spectacular tipping point approaching. Maybe MyBB can plot a graph of the declining cost of IP entertainment vs DSTV. IP should actually be two graphs - "legal" and "almost legal". I suspect the intersection of "almost legal" and DSTV are not too far off.
 
I wonder what the number of subscribers have been in relation to increases.
Surely if lots more subscribers come on board then increases could be less as the content should surely still cost them the same
 
evilstebunny said:
Not to worry. Bandwidth is becoming cheaper and DSTV more expensive, so I'm rapidly approaching the threshold of switching my entertainment budget from DSTV to ADSL completely.

If only Telkom weren't even more pathetic than Multichoice I would have thrown the switch already.
Click to expand...

I did, the best move I could have made - I'm not a sports junkie so it all works out 4 me :p


Garyvdh said:
... so are the suckers who pay these prices! :D
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lol, +1
 
I think I'm about to cancel my DSTV.

Only hiccup is going to be the 13 year old ...
 
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