Sentech to enter free satellite TV race?

·19 Aug 2013

Government signal distributor Sentech is planning to launch a free-to-air satellite TV service based on its Vivid platform, according to a well-placed industry source.

The plan follows news that e-tv sister company, Platco Digital is set to launch a subscription-free, high definition (HD) satellite TV service, which seems to have lit a fire under Sentech.

Sentech already operates a free-to-air satellite TV service called Vivid, but it is understood that state-owned company wants to relaunch the platform, quite possibly under a new name.

Curiously, the industry source said that Sentech is aiming to launch towards the end of September 2013, a few days before Platco’s OpenView HD is scheduled to launch in October.

The decoder, dish, and installation together are expected to cost between R1,200 and R1,500.

Sentech has plans to launch video on-demand, mobile and personal video recording functionality next year (2014), the source said.

Sentech was asked about its free-to-air satellite plans, but declined to answer questions about it. The state-owned signal distributor said it would be releasing a statement on the matter soon.

Platco Digital confirmed in July that it will be launching OpenView HD, a low-cost direct-to-home satellite TV service, in October 2013, which offer 15 channels in a mix of SD and HD, without need of a monthly subscription.

Ellies, one of the three partners who are developing decoders for the service, have indicated that a decoder and installation will have an estimated once-off cost of R1,899 – while Platco have said that, as more competition enters into the market, decoder prices should drop.