Commercial TV licensee On Digital Media (ODM) has launched a new SES (Soci'et'e Europ'eenne des Satellites-Astra) satellite that will deliver free-to-air and subscription television to SA and later to sub-Saharan Africa.
SES Astra SA is a Luxemburg-based company that owns and operates the Astra series of geostationary satellites. These satellites transmit more than 1 000 analogue and digital television and radio channels across Europe.
The SES Astra will provide services to ODM from the Sirius 4 satellite, says Steve Rich, VP of SES Astra, ODM`s technology partner, in a media statement.
The Sirius 4 was launched on 17 November this year. It carries 52 active Ku-band transponders and two active Ka-band transponders.
The satellite will be located at 5^0 East, its orbital position for delivering broadcast and broadband services across Europe, as well as transmitting high-definition television channels.
ODM director Vino Govender says SES Astra is developing a video neighbourhood over Africa and will use the Sirius 4 bandwidth to deliver free-to-air and subscription television to broadcasters.
ODM said its licence application to the Independent Communications Authority of SA stipulates that it would acquire ready-made content from channel suppliers, rather than producing its own content. ODM expected to raise R1 747 045 in funding.
The broadcaster`s shareholders include SES Global SA, a satellite group (19.43%); the Industrial Development Corporation, a government-owned investment entity (26.13%); Kopano ke Matla, a Cosatu-owned investment group (25%); and First National Investment Holdings, a special purpose investment vehicle (24.43%).
Encourage demand
Meanwhile, Telkom Media has also announced it purchased a 49% shareholding in One Africa Television, a Namibian free-to-air television operator.
The transaction is part of Telkom Media`s strategy to extend and stimulate demand for its services beyond the borders of SA, said Telkom Media in a media statement. The partnership is part of the Telkom Media strategy to use free-to-air as an additional advertising platform, the company says.
Telkom Media CEO Mandla Ngcobo explains: "We have been following the spectacular growth of the Namibian broadcaster with great interest and we are convinced that One Africa TV has created a groundbreaking free-to-air broadcasting model that is uniquely adapted to the requirements of the continent."
Ngcobo said linking up with other FTA operators in Africa also allows Telkom Media to expand its potential customer base, which is a benefit for the broadcaster`s advertisers.
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