A company has formally applied for a commercial broadcasting licence that, if granted, will see a new subscription television service to Africa operating out of Botswana.
Black Earth Communications said on Thursday it has applied with the Botswana National Broadcasting board.
The venture, which will be called Black Entertainment Satellite Television, or BEStv, will initially offer viewers between five and 10 channels and cost less than R100 a month.
Andrew Jones, spokesperson for the venture, said once in place, the company plans to upgrade to a service that will offer viewers a sampling of between 100 and 300 new channels not available on DStv, with no significant rate increase.
At present, DStv dominates the pay-TV satellite market in Africa.
”How we will do it and what exactly we will offer remains, of course, a trade secret. However, we are 100% confident that what we want to do can be done,” he said in statement.
BEStv would enter the market initially targeting both black and white viewers in Africa.
Jones said the venture came about after a failed effort to gain a channel on the DStv bouquet.
He said the company is not the only group looking at the pay-TV market in Africa. This year, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa will issue new licences to bring competition to MultiChoice.
”I know that e.tv is interested and Sentech is as well. Rumour has it that Rupert Murdoch is on the periphery, along with CNBC and a few others. So, MultiChoice knows that it’s in for some stiff competition in the near future,” he said.
If the company is awarded the Botswana licence, the new service will be available around the middle of this year.
”Current owners of decoders under the PAS-7 and PAS-10 satellite footprint will simply have to buy a new smart card and the service will be theirs.” — Sapa