South Africa Says Goodbye To StarSat, While StarTimes Stays Tuned In Across Africa

StarSat is a pay-tv platform operated by On Digital Media and StarTimes that distributes locally produced and international channels. Since 2010, it was the only DStv competitor in South Africa and following a raid by ICASA in October of last year leaves MultiChoice's DStv as the only contender despite promises of a comeback.

At the time, StarSat consumers continued paying for their services and the company continued distributing their services and provided employment. Most of which has now been halted as On Digital Media who serves as the license holder in South Africa remained silent on how consumers would be compensated 

According to a recent report by MyBroadband, On Digital Media has confirmed that the company had been liquidated meaning 500,000 decoders have converted to bricks and also job losses. Don't get me started on One Freestate Televisual and Rising Sun TV who very much like SABC News depended on StarSat for survival now that's dead too.

On Digital Media like I've said should have been transparent from the very start they didn't need to hide such important details from channel providers, employees and consumers. Some are starting the new year without a TV or jobs due to On Digital Media's negligence.

Not really shocking that they'd remain discreet and fabricate stories they've done this over the years with some of their channels but still I feel a little honesty would have gone a long way.

With StarTimes holding 65% economic interest with voting rights still at 20% continues to be rival with MultiChoice's DStv in other African countries. This exit is not a loss for them either way, they have a huge consumer base in these countries and also the cable market is crashing in South Africa.

For those who don't know what liquidation entails, On Digital Media is selling whatever scraps they have left to pay off any debts before closing shop. So if I was a subscriber, I'd advise you to reach out on wecare@starsat.co.za. but many have gone unanswered and it would be gut wrenching if these consumers never get refunded.