E-tv’s HD plans

E-tv recently unveiled 4 new channels that have launched on its sister company’s subscription-free satellite TV service, OpenView HD.

The new channels are eAfrika+, eKasi+, eMovies+, and eToons+. According to Elsat’s OpenView HD decoder, the latter 3 (eKasi+, eMovies+, eToons+) are broadcasting in the 1080i high definition (HD) format.

However, according to the Group Head of E-tv’s channels division, Monde Twala, only e.tv and eMovies+ are broadcast in HD and carry some HD content for the moment.

“From October [2013] all our locally commissioned content will be delivered and produced in HD format,” Twala said. “This includes all international content such as movies, kids’ animation, and series.”

He explained that content not filmed in HD will be “upgraded” to HD as it is a standard for HD broadcasts worldwide that need to deal with legacy material. “The eToons+ channel content is a good example of this best practice,” Twala said.

Monde Twala

Asked whether they are working towards offering 24-hour HD channels, Twala said that they are trying to have as much HD content as possible.

“The market wants as much content in the best possible format,” Twala said. “Hence e.tv is working towards having movies, sitcoms, dramas and UEFA Champions League in HD.”

Twala said that E-tv is working closely with the production sector and international suppliers to ensure that they deliver a better quality picture for the South African market.

“This also means South Africa will remain on par with international benchmarks and the TV consumers in the country will be the ultimate winners,” Twala said.

He added that this is a transition which channels across the world are facing. “E.tv is happy to be the first free-to-air broadcaster to be doing this in South Africa,” Twala said.

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