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I just thought to kick of this blog, let me reflect on the past week's major news report.

Yes. SABC, Telkom and Sentech have applied to ICASA (the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa) to launch a competing service to Dstv. If you don’t know about this… google “Telkom Sentech Sabc” in that order, you will see the moneyweb.co.za article on this story.

Now, as much as this sounds great. I would like to point out the following:

SABC = Poor Editorial, Propaganda and down right bad TV
Telkom = High Prices “I cringe at the thought of their prizing model”
Sentech = Can anyone say mywireless…. Don’t forget that Sentech had an opportunity to do something with pay tv for years and they did nothing.

As for the others; Videovision Entertainment, and MSG Africa Media, I guess they happened to be at the right place at the right time.

Bottom line, Telkom, SABC, Sentech and company are using this opportunity to cry Dstv monopoly, whilst infiltrating the market only to do worse. Track record people…..

Let’s not forget that Dstv was launched from the success of MNET and its multiplex presentations which were Channel O; Movie Magic, Super Sport, and Series. We knew the brands because they where blocks on MNET. So when they launched Dstv with their MNET brands as channels, it was no surprise and we knew that with MNET you got the latest movies and good television.

MOMENT PLEASE…if your looking for only Xhosa and Zulu shows, news about the ANC, and not to mention movies you’ve seen over and over, and over again…. please subscribe to the new service, for a competitive high price from Telkom!

Dstv is costly for an average household, but true to their business model. They did not set out to be a public service, they set out to offer their MNET subscribers with a DirectTV type service, which just so happens to have earned them tons of cash. So when people complain about Dstv --- I say would you like to get stuck with SABC and ETV – ahggggg – my skins just crawls at the idea, please bring my credit card I want to subscripe Dstv now, “I need E! Entertainment or something from 50 Channels to erase my nightmare!”.

When they say Dstv is not being black enough. I say blah blah blah.
Black people who subscribe are the same people who subscribed to MNET and they too want the functionality of Dstv. As for the Compact service for “The People” that is crap, because no self respecting black person will pay for compact if they know very well that the good channels are on Dstv.

Then again a new comer who understands the black market same as MNET understood their market, must step up and do something. Black people will subscribe. Please let it not be an SABC1 type service, because you would have lost your investment before you even launched. No one would pay for such crap.

Let’s not forget that MNET was launched for the white Afrikaans family in mind, naturally that is the market which MNET would want to satisfy before going elsewhere.

So, in conclusion. I would put my money on a new comer than the SABC, Telkom and Sentech nightmare to be. We know very well that SABC wants this opportunity to launch SABC Sports because they could not do that over at Multichoice “Supersporty conflict”, whilst Telkom just wants in on Dstv’s market and as for Sentech they just want to assure parliament that they are still a good state owned enterprise.

So, guys put back the Champaign. It’s not time yet. Keep you Dstv and MNET subscription until you know exactly what is on offer. I know for a fact that Dstv has all of its channels under exclusive carriage deals, they have extended their agreements with all major studios in lieu of the upcoming players, to get the best content (sports, movies and series). To top it all of off they get first look on all rights for shows coming to S.A. However way you look at it, Dstv is in a very cool position, because the worst that could happen is for them to sub-license their carriage deals, which will bring more money to them. So be careful before you cancel you subscription you might just regret it.

Signed: The Observer

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