MultiChoice grows DTT footprint

Naspers has reported an increase of 342,000 households across its African pay-TV business in the first half.

The company, which operates under the MultiChoice brand, now has services available in 873,000 households. Around 1.2 million subscribers have a PVR.

The segment reported a revenue increase of 18% year over year to reach R20.2 billion and delivering a profit of R5 billion.

MultiChoice now runs DTT services in 11 countries and Naspers in now looking towards further analogue switch offs to further grow the business.

“The second half of the year is traditionally the most active part of the year for most of our businesses. We expect some pick-up in spend as we capitalise on the holiday season, which could result in lower core headline earnings for that period,” cautioned CFO, Basil Sgourdos. “Our goal remains to develop online classifieds, etail and DTT to deliver future growth and create value over time,” he added.

Local content hubs are being developed in Nigeria and Kenya; and additional transponder capacity has recently been purchased from Eutelsat and Intelsat.

MultiChoice grows DTT footprint

Naspers has reported an increase of 342,000 households across its African pay-TV business in the first half.

The company, which operates under the MultiChoice brand, now has services available in 873,000 households. Around 1.2 million subscribers have a PVR.

The segment reported a revenue increase of 18% year over year to reach R20.2 billion and delivering a profit of R5 billion.

MultiChoice now runs DTT services in 11 countries and Naspers in now looking towards further analogue switch offs to further grow the business.

“The second half of the year is traditionally the most active part of the year for most of our businesses. We expect some pick-up in spend as we capitalise on the holiday season, which could result in lower core headline earnings for that period,” cautioned CFO, Basil Sgourdos. “Our goal remains to develop online classifieds, etail and DTT to deliver future growth and create value over time,” he added.

Local content hubs are being developed in Nigeria and Kenya; and additional transponder capacity has recently been purchased from Eutelsat and Intelsat.

Telkom, MultiChoice strike DStv Explora and data deal

Wifi connector and Explora combo (Photo Supplied)

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Cape Town – From this Sunday 23 November consumers acquiring a new broadband contract from Telkom for 24 months will get one of MultiChoice's DStv Explora decoders for free in an exclusive arrangement between the South African telecom operator and the satellite pay-TV platform.

New Telkom broadband customers who sign a 24 month contract for a 10Mbit/s or faster ADSL service, or existing Telkom broadband customers who upgrade to a 10Mbit/s line, will get a DStv Explora free.

MultiChoice just launched its DStv connected services, enabling the linking of its DStv Explora to the internet.

Through it DStv Premium subscribers are able to set remote recordings from their computers, tablets and smartphones for their decoder, while the expanded DStv Catch Up plus gives subscribers access to more on demand content downloaded through the internet.

A new app, DStv NOW will be released in December.

MultiChoice said last week that it would be making an announcement this week in which it will "take another step to making these services more accessible" for DStv subscribers through the use of these new broadband connected services, but has not yet done so.

"Telkom and MultiChoice have entered into an exclusive 6 month promotion that entails Telkom internet broadband being bundled with the new IP-connected DStv Explora decoder," says Telkom.

"Customers will benefit from faster, high-speed Telkom broadband and more fixed-line data. Furthermore, the free DStv Explora and WiFi connector will allow customers access to the enhanced DStv Catch Up catalogue and additional functionality."

Telkom meanwhile is making plans to roll out its own video-on-demand (VOD) service.

- Channel24

MultiChoice launches single view DStv HD Decoder

MultiChoice has released its first HD single view decoder, the DStv HD Decoder, which will make great HD quality viewing and Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound accessible to more DStv customers. This decoder will replace the existing standard definition single view decoder.

The DStv HD Decoder’s user interface is similar to the DStv Explora as it’s also locally developed by MultiChoice. Most functions can be performed from DStv Central, accessed through the blue DStv button on the remote control. This user interface makes for easier navigation through the HD menus and helps customers discover great DStv content available via multiple search options directly from the remote control.

Mark Rayner, COO for MultiChoice South Africa said: “We recently made HD channels available to all DStv customers with the necessary HD equipment. This decoder now makes those HD channels more accessible. High definition creates a far superior television viewing experience in terms of picture quality and the Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound adds a new dimension to the audio experience. The DStv HD Decoder will open up a new world for many DStv customers.”

The decoder is XtraView capable and can be paired with selected XtraView compatible decoders (excluding the SD PVR).

The DStv HD Decoder is available at R499 or at R799 with installation. Customers can purchase the decoder directly from MultiChoice branches or from leading retailers.

The DStv Explora, launched a year ago, is MultiChoice’s full-feature PVR. Both decoders are manufactured in South Africa, with the user interface software designed and developed by MultiChoice.

MultiChoice Africa extends DTH contract with Eutelsat

MultiChoice Africa and Eutelsat strike new long-term multi-transponder agreement

• MultiChoice secures significant bandwidth requirements to support growth of DStv pay-TV platform over sub-Saharan Africa
• Eutelsat 36° East neighbourhood consolidated as Africa’s premier location for digital entertainment services

JOHANNESBURG; PARIS — Eutelsat Communications (NYSE Euronext Paris: ETL) and MultiChoice Africa, one of Africa’s most prominent media companies, have inked a far-reaching agreement that will ensure the continuing expansion of the DStv pay-TV platform over the coming 15 years. The multi-transponder contract also further anchors Eutelsat’s neighbourhood of high-power satellites at 36° East as the point of reference for broadcasting in sub-Saharan Africa.

To live up to its brand promise of delivering a television experience marked by quality and choice, MultiChoice Africa will take advantage of the entire payload of 15 Ku-band transponders connected to the African service area of the EUTELSAT 36C satellite that will be launched next year.

In advance of the launch, MultiChoice has also booked two transponders on the EUTELSAT 36A broadcast satellite that provides reach of the 38 countries in sub-Saharan Africa served by the DStv platform.

Following the launch of EUTELSAT 36C, MultiChoice Africa will be leasing a total of 36 Eutelsat transponders from 25 today. In addition to securing bandwidth for new Standard Definition and High Definition channels and services, the agreement equips MultiChoice Africa with in-orbit back-up capacity that will increase network continuity.

Nico Meyer, CEO of MultiChoice Africa, said: “We are delighted to make this announcement with Eutelsat who have partnered with us to meet the needs of our growing business in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is exciting to be planning this new expansion with a company that is not only committed to ensuring we are able to provide the best television experience to our subscribers, but a company that, like ourselves, is committed to making a difference in Africa through investing in developmental projects. We look forward to being able to provide new and exciting services to our DStv subscribers in the future.”

Michel de Rosen, Chairman and CEO of Eutelsat, responded: “Our sustained investment over 20 years in high-power broadcast satellites for Africa has anchored Eutelsat as a key infrastructure provider supporting the transition to a digital environment and delivering viewers both diversity and quality. With the agreement announced today, we are extending our longstanding relationship with one of Africa’s most go-ahead media companies over the coming 15 years. It is a privilege to be MultiChoice’s chosen partner in 38 African countries and to demonstrate our broader commitment to Africa via the annual DStv Eutelsat Star Awards that sparks scientific thinking by school children across Sub-Saharan Africa.”