Several months ago, eMedia Investments unveiled their latest annual results where it was revealed that their free-to-view Openview platform has seen a high rate of growth as MultiChoice has begun to see a bloodbath of dissatisfied Premium and Compact customers.
The likes of streamers like Netflix and Disney+ have been luring several consumers away from the pay-tv platform while MultiChoice now views eMedia Investments' Openview platform as a DStv killer as consumers fled the package following the carriage battle with both parties.
eMedia Investments had stated in court the demise of their channels on DStv would see a plummet a revenue which is what they used to bring most of the content seen on eExtra and eToonz now with their channels reinstated they've begun planning for the year ahead.
Openview has been successful for nearly a decade after generating 3 million subscribers that eMedia Investments had decided as predicted to use the platform to ramp up their pay-tv offering with rumours swirling about the upcoming channel possibly being a preview.
Cable has its flaws as seen with DStv there's plenty of rebroadcasts and unwatchable content and the same can be said about the Openview platform. I mean there's no monthly fees but that doesn't mean viewers haven't complained about the current setup of the platform.
Most of the e.tv channels have limitations while pay-tv outlets opted for the brands broadcast on a 24 hour basis perhaps this new service coming to the Openview platform will rectify that likely expand from that.
The new service Openview+ is said to cost R149p/m which is more than the current amount for DStv Access package and considering how expensive it is or at least for the current audience it will likely come with additional services which will be exempted from those viewing Openview freely.
Openview+ was the initial name for eVOD now we see why they chose not to use it and rather seperate e's and Openview. Idea of pay came decades ago and eMedia was rewarded a licence but felt the market was big enough for two pay platforms so opted for eNCA.
StarSat owned by ODM and StarTimes has appeared to be dense even in neighbouring markets following the losses of Discovery Family, Real Time, DreamWorks and FOX so I'm saying they let the door open for another to increase their ranking.
Considering that Openview+ will start at zero they'll likely offer a few services and expand as more people opt for the pay service.
But one thing that's interested customers is the pricing most that hoped eMedia would add monthly fees expected something around the range from DStv Easyview but since this new service will cost close to R200 consumers will expect a lot more.
And I'm not taking about a discount to eVOD or a trip to Turkey but something that's found on rival platform DStv like TLC, Real Time, Moja Love and SuperSport and Cartoon Network.
Regardless, the new service won't damper what free-to-view Openview has built but expand from that likely divide and with the way things are with MultiChoice this just gives them all the more reason to free those 4 channels from captivity now that eMedia is looking to get alternative income.
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