Free OpenView HD TV: Platco's launch plans

Until we know what channels will be available, there is nothing to get excited about
 
nelwa said:
the service will probably be paid for by adverts...so I hope you enjoy ads if you sign up for this :D
Click to expand...

Can you name me one paid TV service in this country that does not have ads? Have you ever watched DSTV?
 
Why does Mybroadband continue to report this without checking the very obvious fact - they don't have a broadcast license and until they apply for one and receive it, they can't broadcast anything.
 
oronte said:
Why does Mybroadband continue to report this without checking the very obvious fact - they don't have a broadcast license and until they apply for one and receive it, they can't broadcast anything.
Click to expand...

I think Etv is part of this, so I presume they will use the license they received
 
lucifir said:
I think Etv is part of this, so I presume they will use the license they received
Click to expand...

They officially declined their license and that was for a Pay TV operator in any event.

I just checked the Electronic Communications Act and they definitely need a license if they want to broadcast, the fact that the channels they will carry have licenses has nothing to do with it, as a platform broadcasting via satellite they still need to be licensed. And even that is questionable only SABC, e.tv, DStv, Top TV and the community channels have licenses to broadcast in SA so not sure what they can have that doesn't come from one of these.
 
oronte said:
They officially declined their license and that was for a Pay TV operator in any event.

I just checked the Electronic Communications Act and they definitely need a license if they want to broadcast, the fact that the channels they will carry have licenses has nothing to do with it, as a platform broadcasting via satellite they still need to be licensed. And even that is questionable only SABC, e.tv, DStv, Top TV and the community channels have licenses to broadcast in SA so not sure what they can have that doesn't come from one of these.
Click to expand...

I do not recall them declining the licence, only remember them getting the licence(http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/66/18004.html) but chosing not to use it, but rather piggy back ont dstv. I am pretty sure they still have the licence.
 
How many cables and decoders should one have in your sitting room? It will be much easier if they can like ETV and SABC just piggy back on the existing DSTV or TopTV system. (that is if TopTV still exists??)
 
lucifir said:
I do not recall them declining the licence, only remember them getting the licence(http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/66/18004.html) but chosing not to use it, but rather piggy back ont dstv. I am pretty sure they still have the licence.
Click to expand...

It does not last forever, you will remember that Telkom Media applied again and again to have their license extended - according to the original conditions they had +/- a year to start broadcasting services to keep the license - if you don't use it, you lose it. And again that was a license for a Pay TV system that was awarded to a specific consortium that matched all the license conditions - licenses are not transferrable.
 
oronte said:
Why does Mybroadband continue to report this without checking the very obvious fact - they don't have a broadcast license and until they apply for one and receive it, they can't broadcast anything.
Click to expand...

Incorrect.

After the story was first broken by MyBroadband the issue of Platco not being licensed as a broadcaster was raised on other forums. A big deal was made about the fact that Platco/OpenView HD had not applied to Icasa for a license.

The fact is that they don't need a license from Icasa because 1. Their parent company, E-tv, already has one and 2. They aren't broadcasting anything themselves.

The "obvious facts" that have most certainly been checked by MyBB are that:
a) Platco can very easily use E-tv's license if needed as they are owned by the same holding company.
b) They (Platco) have clarified that they don't need a license because only licensed free-to-air channel operators will be able to use their platform. So the channels themselves will need a broadcasting license to get on OpenView HD.

I'm sure OpenView/Platco have already applied for and received whatever licenses are necessary to put a satellite dish into orbit or to buy a service on an existing satellite dish. The satellite operators will also be licensed to transmit by Icasa.

Platco would not be less than 2 months away from launching their service if they didn't have or know if they needed to have a license from Icasa. They clearly do not need a license.
 
Last edited:
Does one need to buy the ZAR2000 hardware, or will there be an XBMC plugin for decoding the signal?
 
AnibugZA said:
Incorrect.

After the story was first broken by MyBroadband the issue of Platco not being licensed as a broadcaster was raised on other forums. A big deal was made about the fact that Platco/OpenView HD had not applied to Icasa for a license.

The fact is that they don't need a license from Icasa because 1. Their parent company, E-tv, already has one and 2. They aren't broadcasting anything themselves.

The "obvious facts" that have most certainly been checked by MyBB are that:
a) Platco can very easily use E-tv's license if needed as they are owned by the same holding company.
b) They (Platco) have clarified that they don't need a license because only licensed free-to-air channel operators will be able to use their platform. So the channels themselves will need a broadcasting license to get on OpenView HD.

I'm sure OpenView/Platco have already applied for and received whatever licenses are necessary to put a satellite dish into orbit or to buy a service on an existing satellite dish. The satellite operators will also be licensed to transmit by Icasa.

Platco would not be less than 2 months away from launching their service if they didn't have or know if they needed to have a license from Icasa. They clearly do not need a license.
Click to expand...

No, I'm quite right. Read the Electronic Communications Act. Also at least one journalist has bothered to check the facts and ask ICASA:
http://teeveetee.blogspot.com/2013/..._campaign=Feed:+TvWithThinus+(TV+with+Thinus)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter