DSTV price increase

[stickytoffee]

TV should be free ... or at least cost next to nothing ... they can make their money via advertising like eTV does, and Hulu, a free internet streaming service in the US...

 

[Nod]

America is a first world country. South Africa is not. If you want first world prices then emigrate.

It may not have been charged as piracy but everybody knows it is and if you are honest with yourself you will agree. You are stealing other peoples IP. The legal way is to buy the dvd's but then you will whine about SK and Nu-Metro ripping you off.

SK and Nu-Metro are ripping you off. Have you ever wondered why we don't get to see Anime in our cinemas? SK and NM have decided that people don't need to see Anime.

 

[Nuro]

America is a first world country. South Africa is not. If you want first world prices then emigrate.

It may not have been charged as piracy but everybody knows it is and if you are honest with yourself you will agree. You are stealing other peoples IP. The legal way is to buy the dvd's but then you will whine about SK and Nu-Metro ripping you off.

Get off your high horse. MC is ripping us off, pure and simple. I don't care for the downloading part, but they are making MEGA profits, it works that way when you have a monopoly.

 

[LazyLion]

America is a first world country. South Africa is not. If you want first world prices then emigrate.

A satellite is a satellite is a satellite. If anything First World countries should be able to charge their customers more because of a more mature economy. Third world countries should be cheaper because there are less channels and the services are typically subsidised by advertising... and hoo boy DSTV has a LOT of advertising!

It may not have been charged as piracy but everybody knows it is and if you are honest with yourself you will agree. You are stealing other peoples IP. The legal way is to buy the dvd's but then you will whine about SK and Nu-Metro ripping you off.

um, no... I will wait until the law makes it official, thanks. Here is the Copyright Act...

http://www.buys.co.za/publications/cyberlaw/CopyrightAct.htm

Any person who at a time when copyright subsists in a work, without the authority of the owner of the copyright [...] imports into the Republic otherwise than for his private or domestic use...

... and by the way... I do still buy the DVDs for the majority of the series I really like.... and I use my Discovery membership to see Ster Kinekor movies for R11.00 each!

But if you are quite happy paying DSTV's prices... go right ahead... I'm not stopping you. Just correcting your little mistake.

 

[Beetman]

So pirating tv series and movies are fine but you throw your toys out of the cot over a R30 increase from Multichoice who has to pay the studios for those same shows? The studios probably put their prices up because of the amount of piracy going on so indirectly you are collectively probably responsible for the increases.

Good going.

Dude, downloading tv-shows is not illegal.....

 

[Crowley]

Like I said in a previous post, I just feel better about myself if I don't steal other peoples work. Piracy IS stealing, you are taking something that you haven't paid for.

Back on topic though...

I maybe watch TV for 8 or so hours a week but I will carry on paying my DSTV subs and enjoy watching whatever I want to. R30 is not going to make me poor.

 

[LazyLion]

Like I said in a previous post, I just feel better about myself if I don't steal other peoples work. Piracy IS stealing, you are taking something that you haven't paid for.

Let me ask you a question...

Consider this scenario.... Your buddy has DSTV, but you don't. You want to watch Heroes, but can't afford to pay the obscene DSTV charges. so you ask him to record it for you... and he brings the tapes to work for you and you take them home and watch them. That by the way... is PERFECTLY LEGAL (No matter what DSTV and Ster Kinekor and the other Mafiosa tell you). This HAS been tested in the courts... and is considered Fair Use.

Now what is the difference between that scenario and a guy in the USA recording the program for me... and loaning me his copy that he recorded? Same scenario.

In fact, some studies have credited the internet distribution method with driving massive sales of the series and creating demand in countries other than the USA. Of course the networks and distributors don't like to admit this, because it is a threat to their distribution model and they lose out on advertising revenue. They don't want to invest money in distributing on the internet because they can charge you R100 more when they package it nicely and sell it via Game or Take Two.

I maybe watch TV for 8 or so hours a week but I will carry on paying my DSTV subs and enjoy watching whatever I want to. R30 is not going to make me poor.

That may be fine for you. But a lot of people in South Africa are struggling on the borderline. This price increase simple removes one more means of entertainment from a lot of families that simply now cannot afford it.

Go and do a bit of research. Find out when DSTV started in South Africa and how much it cost when it started. Then look at the chart of price increases over the last 5 years. You will be shocked to see that 50% of the increase has only come in the last quarter of the product life cycle. Tell me how that is justified?

 

[killadoob]

Who are the real pirates? You can get 250 channels of satellite TV in the USA for R300.00 a month. Bend over and spread those lil cheeks wide... ... and downloading episodes on the internet in South Africa has NEVER been charged as piracy. Show me ONE court case please?

Gary one thing that bugs the Fu&* out of me is how people keep going on about you can get this in american and that in america, america is a 1st world country with upwards of 350 million people.

We are a 3rd world country with around 45 million people of which more than 60% are poor. So in America you could possibly have 60-100 million people who can afford internet and nice satelite. We have maybe 2-4 million who can afford these services so HTF in your mind do you compare prices to a country that has 15-20x more consumers?

Stop comparing us to countries with huge population's and very low poor rates. We are a 3rd country so please start freakin comparing us to other 3rd world countries.

 

[DSG GTI]

I will just keep well clear of these money grubbing leeches

 

[Crowley]

Let me ask you a question...

Consider this scenario.... Your buddy has DSTV, but you don't. You want to watch Heroes, but can't afford to pay the obscene DSTV charges. so you ask him to record it for you... and he brings the tapes to work for you and you take them home and watch them. That by the way... is PERFECTLY LEGAL (No matter what DSTV and Ster Kinekor and the other Mafiosa tell you). This HAS been tested in the courts... and is considered Fair Use.

Now what is the difference between that scenario and a guy in the USA recording the program for me... and loaning me his copy that he recorded? Same scenario.

In fact, some studies have credited the internet distribution method with driving massive sales of the series and creating demand in countries other than the USA. Of course the networks and distributors don't like to admit this, because it is a threat to their distribution model and they lose out on advertising revenue. They don't want to invest money in distributing on the internet because they can charge you R100 more when they package it nicely and sell it via Game or Take Two.

Lets see. A guy in America records a television show for his own enjoyment or to watch it later. All fair and well. He also makes a copy for his friend to watch. Fair use as you call it. Now he puts that copy he made on the net, giving millions of people access to download it thereby bypassing legitimate distribution channels and denying the people who made the show any income from it. Does that seem fair?

Have a look at the following links and think about how it affects people worldwide and see if you still think that downloading IP is not piracy.

Here and here.

That may be fine for you. But a lot of people in South Africa are struggling on the borderline. This price increase simple removes one more means of entertainment from a lot of families that simply now cannot afford it.

Go and do a bit of research. Find out when DSTV started in South Africa and how much it cost when it started. Then look at the chart of price increases over the last 5 years. You will be shocked to see that 50% of the increase has only come in the last quarter of the product life cycle. Tell me how that is justified?

If I can't afford to eat steak every night then I must go without it. DSTV is a luxury, not a necessity. If you can't afford a R30 increase maybe you should spend your money on something else.

As for the increase, prices for everything has shot up in the last few years. Look at the petrol price as an example.

 

[LazyLion]

Gary one thing that bugs the Fu&* out of me is how people keep going on about you can get this in american and that in america, america is a 1st world country with upwards of 350 million people.

We are a 3rd world country with around 45 million people of which more than 60% are poor. So in America you could possibly have 60-100 million people who can afford internet and nice satelite. We have maybe 2-4 million who can afford these services so HTF in your mind do you compare prices to a country that has 15-20x more consumers?

Stop comparing us to countries with huge population's and very low poor rates. We are a 3rd country so please start freakin comparing us to other 3rd world countries.

Actually, the only difference between the comparisons is that Multichoice is a monopoly. THAT is how they arrive at the prices they charge. I guarantee you if there was another viable satellite operator in the market you would not be hearing about this price increase. India has nearly a billion people. Many many more who are poorer than South Africa... yet they enjoy cheaper satellite and cable than us. How is that?

If the USA comparison is too much to handle, then let us at least level the playing field. They have MORE channels AND cheaper prices. Why can't we then have 250 channels at R500 a month. Or the current number of channels at their price of R330.00 a month? But no.. .we get screwed both ways. And I guarantee you the satellite providers are not charging anywhere near the international rates as what they charge the US domestic market. They could not stay in business if they were not cheaper on the international front.

The problem is that South Africans as sheep who pay whatever price they are told to. They have no balls and no collective bargaining power. They don't understand the concept of "drop your prices or we drop you"!!! They just meekly suck it up and say "R30 is not going to make me poor". They do not know how to live without or sacrifice in the short term to benefit in the long term.

 

[Deenem]

Well, it's too late for the R399 Compact decoder. Rode around at lunchtime trying to find one and everyone is out of stock. Finally found one at Game, but it's already R499.

 

[regardtv]

My thoughts .... HD to be blamed

While little detail is known right now as to WHY we're paying more, I'm going to speculate....

The normal 'excuse' is the cost of transpoder capacity - this is something which I forsee as being somewhat of a non-issue as more satellite users transition to the likes of the newer undersea cables - freeing up capacity - that aside, lets look at where the capacity is going:

The transponder hogs are however the HD users - far more bandwidth is required to give them their pretty pictures .... THEY should pay the penalty and premium for having their high def pictures - Mr Joe Average without the HD decoder should not have to bear these costs.

Dependant on who you ask in the industry broadcasters have to pay a rather large premium to receive their content in HD format...

So, my view is instead of these cross the board increases, they should keep their packages (Premium/Compact/Select/etc) and rather split usage charges more clearly:
Instead of HD guys paying the same as Dual View ... make HD pay the price for their HD pics etc ... this allows mix and match of packages.

just my 2c

 

[Londo]

I think the time has finally come to drop dstv and rather spend the money on a shiny new 4 meg line upgrade.

Multichoice have been playing the "creep the price up" game for long enough now.

Exactly what I did 6 mos ago.

 

[Tweak]

was mybroadband un aware that we can also subscribe to sky and other satelite providers? why not replace: 'i do not know' with 'I might be trying alternative satelite companies' ?

 

[killadoob]

Actually, the only difference between the comparisons is that Multichoice is a monopoly. THAT is how they arrive at the prices they charge. I guarantee you if there was another viable satellite operator in the market you would not be hearing about this price increase. India has nearly a billion people. Many many more who are poorer than South Africa... yet they enjoy cheaper satellite and cable than us. How is that?

If the USA comparison is too much to handle, then let us at least level the playing field. They have MORE channels AND cheaper prices. Why can't we then have 250 channels at R500 a month. Or the current number of channels at their price of R330.00 a month? But no.. .we get screwed both ways. And I guarantee you the satellite providers are not charging anywhere near the international rates as what they charge the US domestic market. They could not stay in business if they were not cheaper on the international front.

The problem is that South Africans as sheep who pay whatever price they are told to. They have no balls and no collective bargaining power. They don't understand the concept of "drop your prices or we drop you"!!! They just meekly suck it up and say "R30 is not going to make me poor". They do not know how to live without or sacrifice in the short term to benefit in the long term.

Bwhahahahahaha India have nearly a billion people so no doubt they will have dirt cheap everything.

Comparing us to a country like india again is silly, compare us to a 3rd country with a low population, ghana for instance, kenya, nigeria i wonder how much nigeria pays for dstv.

 

[LazyLion]

Lets see. A guy in America records a television show for his own enjoyment or to watch it later. All fair and well. He also makes a copy for his friend to watch. Fair use as you call it. Now he puts that copy he made on the net, giving millions of people access to download it thereby bypassing legitimate distribution channels and denying the people who made the show any income from it. Does that seem fair?

legitimate distribution channels??? LOL... you work for a content distributor don't you? Who says their old distribution method is any more "legitimate" than anyone else's? I think what you mean is their archaic old distribution method. They have completely and utterly failed to embrace the internet. And whose fault is that? They are just sore cos someone else beat them to it... and the saddest thing of all is that ... NOBODY IS STOPPING THEM FROM MAKING MONEY ON THE INTERNET!!!

Have a look at the following links and think about how it affects people worldwide and see if you still think that downloading IP is not piracy.

Here and here.

Oh jeeez! You have bought into their propaganda hook line and sinker... haven't you? Let us know when you are able to look at the real world without the MPAA/RIAA/SAFACT/BSA Bull$h!t colored glasses! I have Eff-all faith in those statistics. And most rationally minded people in the world are not so naive.

If I can't afford to eat steak every night then I must go without it. DSTV is a luxury, not a necessity. If you can't afford a R30 increase maybe you should spend your money on something else.

I already did. I bought more internet so I could download the episodes I want to watch

As for the increase, prices for everything has shot up in the last few years. Look at the petrol price as an example.

Ja, and like I said above... the majority of good little consumerist South Africans just keep paying for it, like good little sheep blinded and herded by the monopolistic shepherds.

Good thing some of us are not sheep.

 

[Beetman]

Lets see. A guy in America records a television show for his own enjoyment or to watch it later. All fair and well. He also makes a copy for his friend to watch. Fair use as you call it. Now he puts that copy he made on the net, giving millions of people access to download it thereby bypassing legitimate distribution channels and denying the people who made the show any income from it. Does that seem fair?

Have a look at the following links and think about how it affects people worldwide and see if you still think that downloading IP is not piracy.

Here and here.



If I can't afford to eat steak every night then I must go without it. DSTV is a luxury, not a necessity. If you can't afford a R30 increase maybe you should spend your money on something else.

As for the increase, prices for everything has shot up in the last few years. Look at the petrol price as an example.

Where in the law does it say its a crime?

 

[LazyLion]

Bwhahahahahaha India have nearly a billion people so no doubt they will have dirt cheap everything.

Comparing us to a country like india again is silly, compare us to a 3rd country with a low population, ghana for instance, kenya, nigeria i wonder how much nigeria pays for dstv.

Bwahahaa at you... DSTV has a monopoly over those countries as well.... but....

Nigeria

Traditionally DStv had held a monopoly over Nigeria's Satellite television sector but three new companies, HiTV mytv and trend tv are starting to compete in this sector.

Wow... somebody is starting to undercut DSTV.,... oh horrors... I thought our third world system could not support that.

 

[killadoob]

It can support that but it says starting to compete, it does not say they are competing or did i read wrong?

I will investigate this further gary as starting to compete and actually competing are very different in my world.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200809040636.html that is alot of viewers over 20 million you could target and climbing . Guess our 2-4 million would really make companies want to try take on MC.

hitv do not even braostcast champions league

* Channels include BBC World, E! Entertainment, God TV, Hi Soccer, Hi Sports, Hi Sports2, Hi Nolly, Nigezie, Hi Mix, Hi Kids, Hi Life, Sky News, Eurosport News, Zee-Cinema, CNBC Africa, Fox News, Trace, Art movies2, Sony Entertainment Television and Nickelodeon
* Equipment cost: N9,999
* Monthly subscription: N4,000
* Total: N13,999
* Available nationwide

wow those channels are amazing compared to dstv. Imagine all those channels would make dstv look silly

http://www.mataf.net/en/currency/converter-154-252 almost double what we pay with 1/3 of channels, o yea they going to give dstv a hard time. Nigeria has 20-30 million consumers and pay roughly 950 bucks a month we have 2-4 million consumers and pay 500 bucks.