The battle for viewer eyeballs has gone into overdrive with the launch of yet another TV service.
M-Net launched GOtv On Wednesday, a DTT package for viewers who are still on analogue TV. It serves a very similar purpose to OpenView HD in that it offers viewers the option of going digital while they're still alive i.e. you don't have to wait for the government to roll out the set-top boxes.
GOtv offers a bouquet of DStv channels but it's a separate service from DStv. It comes with its own decoder and doesn't need a dish. M-Net is advising that you'll get the best picture if you get a UHF antenna so ideally you need this too.
Here's an overview of the main differences and similarities between OpenView HD and GOtv:
GOtv
The decoder costs R699 and the UHF antenna (called a GOtenna) costs R299. (Available at Game, Pep, OK and MultiChoice centres.)
It's a DIY antenna so you don't need installation if you're able to put up an antenna yourself.
There's a monthly subscription of R99 a month for the GOtv Value package.
The GOtv Lite package costs R45 every three months.
You need to check that you fall in an area covered by the GOtv signal. You can this on your cellphone by entering the following digits: *120*468872# (and then press the green button). Alternatively, you can visit their website:
GOtv.
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OpenView HD
The decoder costs R399 (if you have a satellite dish). If you don't, it costs R1199 for a decoder, dish and installation. (You can get them at Game and Ellies).
There's no monthly subscription fee.
You don't need to check if you can receive a signal.
The channels
Both services have SABC1, 2, 3 and e.tv on them as well as a selection of radio stations. Each has their own bouquet of extra channels and their own signature channel.
OpenView HD has eKasi+, which consists of e.tv shows. They have a few signature shows but they always air on e.tv too so it isn't a unique channel. Here's a listing of all the OpenView channels:
eKasi+
Wild TV Africa
Deen TV
ASTV
Ekurhuleni TV
Kruiskyk TV
Shembe Unyazi
Spirit Word
Inspiration TV
eMovies+
Glow
Beatlab.tv
eNolly+
eToonz+
Mindset Learn
Da Vinci Learning
GOtv has GO as its signature channel but there's no information about what's on it yet so it's impossible to say what it's like. Our understanding is that it's intended to be the "M-Net" channel of the service.
These are the two GOtv packages and the channels on them:
GOValue
Price: R99/month
GO Channel
M-Net Movies Zone
Africa Magic Epic
Mzansi Bioskop
Mzansi Wethu
TLC Entertainment
SuperSport Blitz
SuperSport Select
Disney Junior
Nick Toons
Mzansi Music
Channel O
Dumisa
GOtv Lite
Price: R45 every 3 months
Mzansi Music
Dumisa
This Lite package is
highly uncompetitive with OpenView HD which has numerous religious channels for free.
Is the Value package worth R99 or are there too many D-list versions of A-list channels on DStv? Take a look at the line-up on their site and see for yourself:
GOtv channels.
Our view: the Movie channels and the GOtv channel will be deciding factors. GOtv needs to be an attractive drawcard because it's going to be tough winning over subscribers in the current TV landscape which is overly saturated with choice. Ultimately it's all a good thing for consumers because it means only the best deals and services will win.
Flash forward 10 years: DTT's been rolled out (hopefully!) and the top DTT packages are?...