Broadcasting24.11.2014

DStv online-only subscription service will launch “one day”

DStv digital

DStv will “one day” offer online-only bouquets and subscription video on demand services similar to Vidi, Altech Node, and Netflix. This is according to group CEO Imtiaz Patel who made the comments during an interview with MyBroadband at a recent MultiChoice event.

The event was held to introduce the DStv Explora decoder’s Internet features and its new mobile application for Android and iOS, DStv Now.

Among the new services MultiChoice announced on the night was an expanded catalogue of downloadable catch-up content for the Explora through DStv Catch Up Plus and the ability to set personal video recordings remotely.

DStv Now promises access to online Catch Up content (which includes Catch Up Plus) in addition to live online streams of a number of premium channels on DStv.

Channels supported by DStv Now’s live streaming feature include all the sports channels on the DStv Premium bouquet, M-net, and the M-net movie channels.

“I think you are seeing the preparedness of the organisation for the day when you have true broadband [in South Africa],” said Patel.

“We’re getting ready for the future,” he said.

Patel said that when they design and implement services, such as DStv Now’s live streaming and Catch Up Plus, they need to make sure they are usable by non-technical subscribers.

For this reason MultiChoice said it has been slow to adopt certain online features because the bandwidth limitations and costs associated with broadband access in South Africa would have made for a poor user experience.

“We’re an innovative company. We go with technology. Sometimes we’ll wait, and other times we push the boundaries,” Patel said.

Asked whether MultiChoice had plans to offer DStv channel bouquets that only include Internet-based services, whether live streaming or video on demand, Patel said there is no doubt that it “will eventually come”.

“How far down the line is the question,” Patel said. “At the moment it’s not possible. It’s not viable. It doesn’t make sense,” he added.

However, Patel said that if you look at where the rest of the world is going you would be naive to think that it is not going to happen.

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DStv Now mobile application with live streaming unveiled

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