News of TopTV's second application to launch adult channels on its satellite television service in SA has elicited a response that echoes its first failed attempt a year ago, with the Family Policy Institute (FPI) threatening to incite a nationwide boycott of the company should it succeed.
This follows the same strong opposition from the FPI, an independent public policy think tank based on the Judeo-Christian faith, last year.
Errol Naidoo, the institute's director, is known for his sharp criticism of the notion of pornography on SA's airwaves. Naidoo says the introduction of such is bound to "destroy lives and steal human dignity".
Sinking ship?
The sinking pay-TV operator, under the umbrella of On Digital Media, last month submitted an application to the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) to offer three pornographic channels, as a separate and PIN-protected bouquet, to its customers in an attempt to bolster business.
Currently under business rescue, SA's second operator (after MultiChoice's DSTV service) has until the end of March to submit a business rescue plan, in terms of the Companies Act.
While TopTV CEO Eddie Mbalo says sales are "stable", the company has undergone a number of challenges since its launch in May 2010, including several terminations by third-party content providers.
The latest move, says Mbalo, is not part of a turnaround strategy, but rather a case of filling content gaps in the industry. "TopTV is constantly scanning the market environment to determine the content gaps. This is part of that process."
Reluctant to speak about the future of TopTV until its business rescue practitioner deems it appropriate, Mbalo says matters relating to TopTV's ICASA application will also only be addressed at a later stage.
"All the questions related to our application to ICASA will be responded to when we have our opportunity to respond during the public hearings if and when they do occur."
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