SA's second and struggling pay-TV provider TopTV looks set to reinvent itself, with the launch of a "new, enhanced viewing experience" coming soon.
TopTV says the countdown has begun for its revamped service, with a new bouquet scheduled for mid-October.
This comes at a time when SA's broadcasting sector is seeing significant movement, with two free-to-air offerings launching within two weeks of each other and a host of other players trying to get licensed and in on the action.
Last week, Sentech officially unveiled its universal access direct-to-home satellite platform service, offering more than 50 channels - including 15 audio (radio) stations. The move comes after the state signal distributor rebranded its failed Vivid platform as Freevision, which will run off Intelsat's IS-20 - the same satellite MultiChoice's pay-TV offering DStv uses.
Earlier in September, etv sister company Platco Digital unwrapped its own no-subscription satellite offering, OpenView HD.
While SA's broadcasting sector has been abuzz, TopTV - the only competitor to pay-TV giant MultiChoice as it stands - had seemingly gone into hiding since April, when its business rescue process finally made headway and its bid to offer adult content was approved.
In late April, TopTV made SA's list of firsts when the Independent Communications Authority of SA granted its application to broadcast three pornography channels via its satellite. Details on pricing and a launch date are yet to be announced.
Also in April, a protracted business rescue process saw light when TopTV's shareholders approved a plan by Chinese firm StarTimes to save the company by effectively taking the company over.
TopTV says it is now in the process of restructuring and the market can expect the arrival of its face-lifted offering "soon".
Tuned out
Meanwhile, TopTV will also have to win back the heart of its customers, who have been up in arms this week following a technical glitch that blocked their services.
Subscribers said their service was blocked on Tuesday, even though their accounts were fully paid up. TopTV says the episode was due to a technical glitch caused by a changeover to a new billing system, and yesterday took to Twitter to inform customers that the process of reactivation was under way.
On top of that, two more channels have been struck from the broadcaster's line up - Top Crime (channel 155) and Top History (channel 301). TopTV says, while it notes customers' concerns over replacement channels for these, an "enhanced viewing experience" is on the way.
"This will be with the introduction of new genres of programming, cutting-edge content and world-famous television brands."
The company says the new offering will still be available to consumers at a low cost.
Heather Kennedy, TopTV's vice-president of marketing, says the company is not in a position to talk about its business rescue process at this point, but there would be "more information forthcoming within the next few weeks".
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