PlayBoy TV confirmed for TopTV porn channels

Satellite pay TV broadcaster TopTV has revealed that the three porn channels it previously confirmed it would launch will come from PlayBoy TV.

This follows the surprising information received yesterday from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) that On Digital Media had applied to the regulator for three adult channels.

TopTV’s full press statement follows below:

As a pay-tv broadcaster, TopTV is in the business of distributing content which includes TopTV aggregated channels as well as 3rd party channels via carriage agreements. In mid 2011, we were approached by Playboy TV who had 3 adult video channels on offer. We weighed the pros and cons of adding these to our bouquet. TopTV has recently concluded an agreement with Playboy TV whereby TopTV will provide carriage for 3 Playboy Channels in the near future. We also considered past requests for adult content onto our bouquet. We then commissioned research over and above results that we had from research conducted elsewhere. All these inputs were considered in our decision to add the channels.

We are well aware that Adult content is a very sensitive subject and as a result we have structured the channels as an additional stand-alone package such that those who do NOT subscribe to the channels will in no way be exposed to the content, the EPG or anything associated with the channels as these channels are fully encrypted.  In actual fact unless one makes a conscious decision to subscribes to the adult channels there will be no change whatsoever to the current offering available on your TopTV decoder. Further, those who DO choose to subscribe will be required to enter a separate unique pin to unblock the channels each time they view. At all times, the channels will remain blocked.

Only those who consciously subscribe to the service will have access to the aforementioned channels. The principle behind this structuring of the bouquet is to allow maximum protection for children to inadvertent exposure to the content as well as those adults who choose not to access these channels. We have looked into this from all possible angles and as people with families were are very mindful of our subscribers.

We are approaching this in a very responsible way and will ensure that our current and future subscribers’ values are in no way compromised. We are NOT altering our focus to adult content only as it remains but one of the genres that we incorporate into our bouquet.

Whilst TopTV is not seeking to distance itself from its positioning as a family values orientated service provider, we view the additional channels within that context as well. As a business, we need to be alive to the desires of our existing and future client base and we always aim to balance all competing interests. Stagnating to past statements will not serve changed needs from our clients or assist our growth.

In a democratic society founded on a sound constitution, all individuals need to provide the requisite space for co-existence with other sectors of the society that may be different from each other. In that light, we do not see the provision of adult content as a compromise of our company image. Rather, it is a bold move fundamentally based on our constitution in a society which enshrines freedom of expression in its bill of rights.

We have devised a unique approach to the subject matter. We are of course very mindful of the fact that there are those who will be opposed to such content. However, as a subscription broadcaster catering for various niche audiences, we need to accommodate as many interests as possible. That’s why we have driving/cooking/music shows and many other genres of programming.

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