At the opening of Computer Faire today, MIH, holding company of M-Net, publicly committed itself to delivering converged media solutions over the Internet, DStv and other user interfaces.
Lazarus Zim, MD of M-Net and CEO of MIH, cited the Internet as the medium driving convergence, and noted that technology and media companies are becoming increasingly difficult to separate.
MIH has moved away from its mass media roots towards global technology models. "Pay TV was our core business. Through technology we are in more countries in the world than we ever could be through Pay TV," he said. "Through technology, our small company has become a huge business."
Zim noted that televisions will soon be Internet-enabled. The first application to appear on South African screens will most likely be e-mail, but Zim also cited interactive television as another opportunity, with sports and news services specifically targeted for this application.
"People are becoming tired of just sitting back and watching television," he said.
Positive about the Internet, Zim foresees the new medium creating greater opportunities rather than stealing the audience from existing mediums. "Every time a new medium comes onto the scene, it challenges the old media. There is lots of chaos in the market, and this equals many opportunities."
Answering a question about which screen should be used to get e-mails and watch TV, he replied: "Any screen you want." PCs, cellphones and televisions will all be able to deliver a myriad of passive and active applications.
Zim commented that technology has resulted in reduction of costs for MIH, and has also lowered barriers to entry for moviemakers. "Hollywood is seriously under threat," he warned.
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