Consumers hoping to see new TV choices will be pleased that pay-TV newcomers, On Digital Media (ODM) and Super5Media, have left the courts behind.
ITWeb can exclusively report that a second application by ODM, to have Super5Media's licence reviewed, has been canned.
Super5Media director Tian du Pisanie says he is pleased the company can finally get on with the business of producing a new TV option for South African consumers.
The company says it will present the consumer with a new TV choice towards the middle of this year.
The review application was lodged in November last year by ODM, along with an urgent interdict to prevent Super5Media from unveiling a commercial product. The interdict was dismissed by the South Gauteng High court last month, with costs to ODM.
The second application has subsequently been withdrawn. The application would have forced the Independent Communications Authority of SA to review all the licences awarded to various players, including religious-based pay-TV applicant Walking on Water; MultiChoice, which produces DSTV; E.Sat, which is etv's parent company; and Super5Media, ODM's direct competitor.
Without the latest application blocking the way, all companies, including Super5Media, are now free to continue with business as usual.
Coming together
Super5Media has had a rocky start to life, coming from the roots of Telkom Media, which sat dormant under Telkom's ownership. The company changed hands in the middle of last year, with Chinese broadcaster Shenzhen Media buying out Telkom's share.
There has been confusion around the transfer of the licence and the company has faced many setbacks since it changed hands. It has also long been criticised for its silence concerning its market strategy.
However, Du Pisanie says if its competitor does not find a new angle of attack, it will become more open with the industry, closer to launch date. “We are interested to see how the market reacts to our offering,” he notes.
Bits and pieces
While Du Pisanie will not elaborate on content deals, or platform strategies, he says the company will offer a variety of local and international content. He adds that the licence also allows it to produce its own content, which will include some form of music show.
He says it has started discussions with local content producers.
Super5Media plans to unveil products on two major platforms, including a satellite offering and a cable, or IPTV-based, suite of channels. The business is currently the only pay-TV operator with a licence that stipulates the technologies allowed.
He will also not reveal how much each of these products will cost; however, he notes it will be competitive. “Our competitors will not like us when we come to market.”
While Super5Media is still being cagey on its expected offerings and launch date, Du Pisanie says it is in the company's best interest to not reveal too much to its competitors.
ODM has already announced its set-top box provider and a few details about the content it will produce, including a deal with Fox TV, an international satellite network.
“The sooner we get closer to launch, the sooner we will provide more details. Right now we are focusing on getting ready for that day. It will be a good year for the consumer,” he concludes.
The judgement made by the South Gauteng High Court on the initial interdict has not yet been released.
Share