In a move that is unlikely to change SA's satellite television scene, community satellite TV channel GauTV seeks to get in on the action, with a 24-hour free-to-air service.
Mzansi Community Satellite TV, trading as GauTV, submitted an application to the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) earlier this year, in a bid to obtain a licence to operate an independent 24-hour channel on satellite frequency.
According to ICASA, the application was the first of its kind and interested parties were invited, through publication of a Government Gazette, to lodge written representations in relation to the application, from 26 March. The hearing, held yesterday, saw only one representation regarding GauTV's application.
ICASA spokesperson Paseka Maleka says the authority is considering the application and the submission made at yesterday's hearing. “A decision whether to grant or not to grant will be made once additional information has been received and internal deliberations have taken place.”
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Should GauTV be granted the licence to operate its satellite channel, Gauteng residents will have free access, but will need a decoder to receive the signal.
GauTV says, if successful, it plans to launch the channel within the coming months. According to Maleka, content will be 100% local and the channel will be broadcast exclusively in Gauteng - with the main focus being in the Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng and Johannesburg municipalities.
GauTV says its vision is to “develop and nurture Gauteng's creative talent through innovative television programming”. Content will include a mixture of local programming from different municipalities, “with a modern high-powered aim at entertaining, educating and informing”.
The 24-hour channel will include news, sport, soapies, movies, drama series, documentaries, lifestyle, kids and religious programmes.
“GauTV will also adhere to its social responsibility in creating opportunities for aspirants and students in TV and film,” says the satellite TV applicant.
SA currently has two satellite TV operators, DSTV and TopTV - both commercial enterprises.
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