Openview: "The Challenges Of Establishing A Competitor To SABC News And eNCA"

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MultiChoice remains a dominant player in the African landscape against the likes of Zuku TV, Azam TV and StarTimes with their DStv offering but in recent years this has been under threat against the likes of Disney+ and Netflix. They (or in particular MultiChoice Africa) is currently in the process of being acquired by the French broadcaster after serving as a competitor in the region.

SABC News, eNCA and Newzroom Afrika serve as those leading destinations for editorial news and throughout their existence hpas only been packaged within MultiChoice's offering. This is because the pay-tv company had been allocating funds for content and staff and unlike some brands like BBC News hadn't received much funding from a third party.

It is one of those reasons that SABC News had been removed from DTT platforms and replaced by SABC Lehae and why eNCA is not seen on eMedia Investment's Openview. There was a whole debate about tandrying to get these brands onto more platforms outside of MultiChoice's reach but the trail had since then been dried out of course there were multiple attempts at launching a competitive offering.

Sometime after StarTimes had acquired TopTV, they had explored the idea of launching a local news channel within the South African market but deemed it too expensive and abandoned those plans. eMedia Investments became the second broadcaster with OpenNews (before becoming News And Sports) and the channel wasn't financially sustainable which led to it's demise.

SABC became the third broadcaster with SABC Lehae the only problem was that the channel is accessibility as SABC had reported that DTT had only accumulated around 400,000 activations by 2020. Yet, eMedia Investments had accumulated over 2 million subscribers by then despite rolling out their STBs years after they were made available to the market.

The fact that SABC News is not on Openview doesn't mean the chances of acquiring it for the platform is unlikely. eMedia Investments could as well look into licensing SABC News but from what was speculated from some insiders the costs to acquire such a channel might not came in their favor cause eMedia. relies on advertising while MultiChoice offers a pay-tv service.

eExtra, eToonz, eMovies And eMovies Extra Continues On MultiChoice's DStv As eMedia Investments Looks To Take Legal Action Over Their Pending Demise

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Since 2022, eMedia Investments and MultiChoice have been embroiled a carriage dispute regarding eExtra, eMovies, eMovies Extra and eToonz. These channels are also allocated on the Openview platform with eExtra that is available on StarSat in a separate agreement. 

A hearing was scheduled for this August but according to a report it has been delayed once again with a date that has to be finalized. 

eMedia Investments is looking to take legal action against MultiChoice over the impending demise of these money grabbers. These channels ranked first, fourth, seventh and tenth serve as additional revenue stream to aid in the distribution and licensing of content. 

Other disputes these two parties engaged in revolved on the 2023 Rugby World Cup where SABC and MultiChoice reached an agreement worth R57 million. Of course, this agreement restricted these matches from being allocated on Openview and StarSat as they failed to obtain free-to-air rights.

In a court ruling, MultiChoice wasn't allowed to make such restrictions forcing the SABC to have their current agreement set in place scrapped. Following SABC’s absence from these events, sports minister warned a warning to these broadcasters for their failure to come into terms with a new agreement. 

How Openview Is Edging Out DStv Compact?

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DStv is a pay-tv platform operated by MultiChoice that offers movies, series, sports, documentaries and kids shows. It is currently Africa's biggest entertainment provider operating in 50 countries which is currently in the process of being acquired by French broadcaster, Canal+.

Earlier in the year, MultiChoice had shuttered both M-Net's Me and 1Magic in an attempt to boost their streamlining endeavors which led to the inclusion of 1Max. Similar to 1Magic, this channel was only applicable to Compact+ and boasted a selection of local content. 

The channel embraces and explores dynamic, authentic African stories with an edge, kicking off with titles such as Tracking Thabo Bester and Red Ink. It also features content from other parts of Africa and the world such as The Real Housewives Of Lagos, Ted and The Good Doctor. 

This was also the channel set up to replace Me but MultiChoice has been reluctant to answer consumers with questions of such regard. Consumers have been moving like headless chickens wondering how they'll able to view The Block and America's Got Talent with the SABC struggling to stay afloat.

Outside of Showmax there's eReality which offers these series alongside other shows already viewed on DStv like Impractical Jokers, Catfish: The TV Show and MasterChef. With dramas like The Walking Dead and Blue Bloods and even sitcoms like The Goldbergs viewable on eSeries.

Although DStv already offers a competitive offering for eSeries with Universal TV and Comedy Central there's no Blue Bloods or The Goldbergs all of which were viewable on Me. While eReality shows some ounce of energy with DStv its mainly reruns to Judge Judy and Keeping Up With Kardashians. 

With DStv consumers actually paying for their content you'd expect MultiChoice to make some effort but that's not the case here. Although MultiChoice can speak highly about this content on Showmax end result is that consumers on Openview are paying a once off fee.

eMedia Investments Unveiled Annual Performance From 31 March 2024 And Plans Ahead For Their Platforms

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eMedia’s financial performance

eMedia presents a satisfactory financial performance for the 2024 financial year given its mitigation against continued loadshedding, which had a negative impact on overall viewership and saw a further decline in television advertising spend of approximately 1%.

The actors and writers’ strike in Hollywood at the beginning of the financial year also had a severe negative impact on one of the subsidiaries in the Group, Media Film Service, which made R31.5 million less in profit after tax when compared to the prior year. The Group also continued its legal battles against Multichoice during the current financial year spending R8.8 million more in the current year when compared to the prior year.

Notwithstanding all the negative impacts to business operations in the macro-economic environment in South Africa, the Group was able to return favourable results and further continues with the declaration of dividends to its shareholders with a dividend of 16 cents per share at the close of the financial year.

Revenue and market share

The Group’s revenue for the fiscal of R3.1 billion is only 2.1% less than the previous year which can be mainly attributed to the decreased revenue earned by Media Film Service as mentioned above. This was further underscored by television advertising revenue ending on R2.165 billion an increase of 3% despite the television advertising cake declining by 1%. This is the highest television advertising revenue earned by the Group in its history.

The Group once again outperformed the market in terms of advertising revenue in the television market. This benefit in advertising revenues can be attributed to the Group maintaining prime-time audience market share at 33.5% in March 2024 from 34.5% in March 2023, a slight decrease year on year.

Further analysis of the Group’s market share reveals an increase in both shoulder and prime time. The share ended at 33.0% and 33.5% respectively, making the Group the biggest broadcaster in audience share in prime time and second to DStv in shoulder time in South Africa.

e.tv

The prime-time market share for e.tv has shown a slight decrease of 0.7% to 20.7% audience share. Of interest, however, is that e.tv is now the biggest channel during both prime time and shoulder time surpassing SABC1. The continued loadshedding saw a change in viewer patterns and this saw an impact on some of the shows. Scandal (19:30 to 20:00) and House of Zwide (19:00 to 19:30) continues to have a demanding market share in their respective timeslots with Scandal, however, coming into some competition with SABC1 moving Skeem Saam from its 18:30 slot to the 19:30 slot.

During the year, e.tv launched new dramas, Smoke and Mirrors at 21:00 to 21:30 and Isitha at 21:30 to 22:00. Both these dramas command the number one position in their timeslots. The 18:30 drama, Nikiwe was withdrawn from the schedule as it was not commanding a satisfactory market share and was replaced by a new drama, Isipetho, which has more than doubled the market share.

e.tv now spends approximately R600 million annually on local drama series and again shows the dedication of the Group to grow the local television industry.

e.tv continues to face the impact of the uncertainty of the imminent analogue switch-off facing the country but the Group is confident that the audience share will be carefully managed. At present the Group is once again engaging with the Department of Communication in relation to the switch-off date regarding e.tv analogue transponders. The Group is firm in the belief that too many ordinary South Africans will remain without TV in a hard switch-off environment.

Openview and multichannel

The non-linear eMedia channels continue to improve their ratings with eExtra, eMovies Extra and eReality which rank in the top 15 of all satellite channels available in South Africa. A few more channels will be launched on the Openview platform in the new fiscal year.

The rest of the eMedia channels, available on multiple platforms accounted for 26.9% of the advertising revenue amounting to R610.6 million which is up from R501.3 million in the previous year. Profitability in this unit has been maintained with content costs for the fiscal year being pegged at R325.6 million.

The distribution of the four eMedia entertainment channels on Multichoice, which contributed to the Group’s audience and revenue share, is still under investigation by the Competition Commission after non-renewal of the channel carriage agreement. At the time of this report, the channels remain on the Multichoice bouquet, and the court case is set down for August 2024. As mentioned, this has attributed to the year-on-year increase in legal costs.

The set-top box activations for Openview for the year amounted to 377 916 taking the amount of activated set-top boxes to 3 428 523 activated at the end of the period. Technological advancements being the focus of the business will bring in the next upgraded phase of the Openview set-top box, a smarter set-top box which will have memory facilities and Wi-Fi capability.

eNCA

eNCA continues to perform satisfactorily in its targeting of the discerning news viewer. In an attempt to engage the viewer, the channel has changed its positioning from ‘No Fear, No Favour’, to ‘Question, Think, Act’. It also continues to be the leading advertising revenue generator in the news market.

Other subsidiaries

All of the Group’s subsidiaries, with the exception of Media Film Service, have performed exceptionally with Y ending the year on a profit after tax of R16.8 million, an increase of 6% year on year.

Costs

Administrative and other costs were well maintained, increasing by only 2.35% year on year. This increase is mainly due to marketing activities returning back to normal, increases in legal fees as previously discussed and the adverse impact of the rand fluctuation.

Cost of sales, which mainly consists of the cost of content, in the case of e.tv, employee costs in the case of eNCA, and cost of the Openview decoder sales, decreased from R1 629.4 million to R1 584.8 million. A significant portion of the decrease can be attributed to close control of content costs across the channels and the retrenchments to create efficiencies within eNCA.

Profitability

The only asset of the Group is a 67.69% interest in eMedia Investments, the company that owns e.tv, eNCA, Openview, eVOD among other businesses.

eMedia Investments ended the year with a net profit after tax of R353.2 million, compared to a profit of R404.7 million in the prior year. The above profit should be viewed in light of the continued loadshedding and the impact this had on the advertising cake, foreign exchange rate and the impact of diesel usage on the business, as well as the increased legal and marketing costs together with the impact of the actors and writers’ strike in faraway Hollywood.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) for the Group ended on R628.3 million compared to R667.2 million in the prior year.

Conclusion

The Group is forging ahead with numerous technology advances and strategic planning to continue to be the audience share market leader. The investment in Openview provides the Group with the strategic flexibility and is the plan to address the challenges of the transition that digital migration brings with it. The Group also intends to launch a number of digital developments to enhance its revenue generation capabilities and take advantage of our highly in-demand content.

The Group remains focused on its core business of broadcasting, content creation, platform advancements and a granular focus on technology that improves the broadcasting process.

eMedia Investments Outlines Plans For eVOD, Unveils Viewing Figures For The Platform

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eMedia outlines plans for streamer eVODeMedia Holdings, the parent of e.tv and Openview, has disclosed viewer adoption figures for its eVOD streaming service, which it launched three years ago.

In eMedia’s annual report for the 2024 financial year, published on Monday, the group said some 1.13 million users have registered to watch the service since its introduction in August 2021.

Although the group hasn’t disclosed how many active users eVOD has, it claimed a 19% increase in watch time over the 2023 financial year, reaching 1.3 billion minutes.

Plans for the current financial year include expanding the available applications for smart TVs

The service, which has both free and subscription components, was launched in response to other streaming services available in South Africa, including Showmax and Netflix. It includes a range of local programming, including original eMedia series and movies.

eMedia disclosed the most popular content available on eVOD. These programmes are:

• Local series: House of Z Wide; Smoke & Mirrors; and Isitha: The Enemy – Blood and Betrayal

• International series: Elif, Annekan die Swa Kry and Doodsondes

• eVOD originals: The Umbrella Men: Escape from Robben Island; Yolanda is Swanger and Piet’s Sake

Growth plans

The broadcasting group said its plans for the current financial year – to March 2025 – include expanding the available eVOD applications for smart TVs, offering new content via Openview’s new set-top box (which can connect to the internet), and offering new advertising “innovations” that include the introduction of live-stream advertising and display banner ads in programming.

In the annual report, eMedia described eVOD as the “Netflix of South Africa” – MultiChoice-owned Showmax and Netflix itself might beg to differ – and offers a platform “primarily filled with e.tv’s local content in a video-on-demand format”.

Openview Dumps Power UP! Pop-Up Channel

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With recent improvements in power stability, Openview announces discontinuing the Power-Up! Channel (Channel 114 on Openview) from Monday, 8 July 2024. Launched as a beacon of light during the challenging times of load-shedding, Power-Up! provided 18 hours of daily entertainment, ensuring South Africans never missed their favourite shows. Now, uninterrupted entertainment will continue on e.tv.

Power-Up! was an innovative solution to help e.tv viewers stay entertained despite the power outages. With load-shedding no longer affecting our lives, viewers can continue to enjoy their favourite shows as they air, experiencing the excitement of live viewing with friends and family. 

Marlon Davids, Managing Director of Channels: "We are thankful to our viewers for their ongoing support. Your engagement has been invaluable, and we are excited to bring you an even more thrilling prime-time experience. Our commitment to providing nonstop entertainment has always been unwavering and will continue to be so."

Openview is SA’s first free-to-air satellite service, offering a variety of TV and radio channels catering to all ages, races, and genders across South Africa. Openview is currently in more than 3.5 Million Homes in South Africa. The decoder is purchased as a once-off cost and has no monthly payments, affording millions of South Africans access to world-class entertainment.

Pending Court Verdict Keeps Kuiertyd And The Rest Of eMedia's Offering On DStv Until August 2024

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Since 2022, eMedia Investments and MultiChoice have been embroiled a carriage dispute regarding eToonz, eMovies, eMovies Extra and eExtra. These channels were initially slated to go dark by the end of March of that year but got an extended stay on DStv for 2 years.

eMedia Investments had accused MultiChoice of anti-competitive behavior resulting in the removal of the channels. MultiChoice on the other based the removal on transponder constraints and also the load of DStv content viewed on eMovies and eToonz.

These offering was supplemented by DreamWorks and Movie Room as KykNET&kie launched its rival offering to eExtra's Kuiertyd. Other channels that formed part of this expanded offering to select DStv consumers include PBS Kids and KIX.

As seen in the start of the year, MultiChoice had removed at least 11 channels in under 4 months. These included People's Weather, B4U Movies and WildEarth with M-Net's Me and 1Magic that merged to form 1Max and was the only channel to be replaced.

If there's no further delays this time, the number of channels to have departed DStv would increase to 15 should no other channel exit prior. Of course, with the rate of TV channels to have exited without a replacement MultiChoice could lose more DStv customers. 

Despite these channels residing on the Openview platform with eExtra on StarSat in a separate agreement. eMedia Investments would see a reduction in revenue for these channels and viewers as e.tv, eNCA and eNuus on KykNET remains on DStv.

After eMedia Investments Fails To Acquire T20's Cricket World Cup Final On Openview Runs To Competition Commission To Remove Ban By SuperSport And The SABC

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Last month, SuperSport and the SABC came into agreement to televise the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup final live as well as two Springbok Test matches on a delayed basis. The final two Springbok matches are scheduled for broadcast on Saturday 6th and 13th July. 

According to eMedia Investments, the agreement restricts the SABC from airing the matches on its channels that are carried on their free-to-air satellite platform Openview. The SABC is also restricted from making the matches available on SABC+.

eMedia Investments has filed an urgent application with the competition appeal court, alleging that the SABC and SuperSport entered into a “contemptuous” sports sublicensing agreement in contravention of an April ruling by the Competition Tribunal.

Described it as a “sham tender process”, alleged that MultiChoice withheld crucial information such as its intention to split the rights between terrestrial and non-terrestrial broadcasts or that the bidding process was competitive.

SuperSport in a separate statement had mentioned that the SABC’s proposal was 50% higher than eMedia’s proposed fee. Having failed to acquire remaining matches run to the Competition Tribunal to force both parties to give up the rights freely. 

If eMedia were to be successful, the result would be that no SABC viewers at all would be able to watch the Irish tests. eMedia therefore seems to take a scorched earth approach – which says that if it cannot transmit the Irish tests free to air, no one can.

Development Alert: People's Weather To Become People's Planet From 1st July On Openview

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After being known as a weather service throughout its existence, People's Weather will dumping the iconic trademark for ⁰something more earthly known as People's Planet. The channel is set to go live on Openview channel 115 from the 1st of July.

People's Planet is described as the definitive destination for nature, adventure, eco sport, wildlife, science and sustainability enthusiasts. It will basically be rivaling with BBC Earth, National Geographic and Curiosity Channel all of which are on MultiChoice's DStv. 

Details of the content have yet to be announced but if we had to guess SafariLIVE will be on People's Planet alongside most content from People's Weather. Any weather related shows like Today's WX and Waking Up With Nature will likely fall out of the schedule. 

Despite People's Planet distancing themselves from anything weather related on Openview. People's Weather will continue as an online service and if anything will likely appear on People's Planet for promotional purposes. 

The news of People's Planet comes months after the channel was axed on MultiChoice's DStv. It joined over 11 channels to have exited the platform in under 4 months including SafariLIVE's parent company WildEarth, Ginx TV and B4U Movies. 

Recap To The Decade: Canal+ Owned/Funded Channels Currently Seen On eMedia Investments' Openview And StarSat

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As some readers are aware, Canal+ intends to merge their operations alongside MultiChoice which would create an African powerhouse. This would need approval from local legislation including the Competition Commission and ICASA.

Since then, there's been a lot of concern of the implications awaiting this deal should it move forward. Canal+ serving as the new owners of MultiChoice would likely decrease the workforce on top of minimizing production and licensing agreements. 

Although Canal+ doesn't offer any services within in South Africa they had producing content for M-Net. On top of licensing the entertainment channels FilmBox Africa through StarTimes platforms with France24 seen on the Openview platform. 

There has been a lot of concern from consumers that Canal+ may opt to scrap these agreements and make these channels exclusive to DStv consumers as seen with SABC News. Some even fear that StarTimes could opt to scrap FilmBox as they'd aid a competitor. 

But that may never be the case here as such would prove to be anti-competitive or unethical on StarTimes part. If anything, these assets won't be treated differently once Canal+ acquisition of MultiChoice is complete. 

It's possible that part of this offering may never see the light of day on DStv.

Take for instance, Timeless Dizi Channel which serves as one SPI International's most popular entertainment channels in Africa is already seen on StarTimes. But not on any of Canal+ platforms within Africa so if anything this offering could operate more independently. 

Of course nothing can be set in stone on what DStv consumers would get out of this acquisition in terms of additional services. But from what we've seen in recent months with the closures of Me and Ginx TV it's likely these services will lead to more content changes. 

eMedia Investments Won't Be Able To Offer The T-20 World Cup To Openview Consumers

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eMedia has said in a statement that it will not be broadcasting the T20 World Cup in June because of a constrained bidding time frame provided by MultiChoice.

This comes after MultiChoice, which acquired exclusive rights to the World Cup, only opened a tender for free-to-air broadcasters to bid for sub-licensing rights five weeks before the tournament’s start.

As a result, eMedia said bidders are “unlikely” to receive confirmation of broadcasting rights until less than two weeks before the event.

eMedia said it hasn’t submitted a bid, as there will not be enough time to secure sponsors, arrange advertising, and adjust programming schedules.

Due to this conduct, the broadcaster believes MultiChoice has violated the Electronic Communications Act and the Sports Broadcasting Regulations, which mandate prompt notification to free-to-air broadcasters.

“eMedia views the issuing of these late invitations to tender by MultiChoice as undermining fair competition and ignoring a recent Competition Tribunal order designed to prevent such restrictive practices,” the broadcaster said.

“This behaviour is not only unfair to E-tv’s dedicated viewers but also detrimental to the South African broadcasting industry as a whole.”

This is not the first time eMedia has called foul on MultiChoice’s behaviour around sports rights.

Last year, MultiChoice and the SABC concluded last-minute deals allowing the public broadcaster to show key matches from the Rugby and Cricket World Cup tournaments.

This included all matches featuring the Springboks and Proteas, as well as the semi-finals and finals, regardless of who was playing.

However, the deals explicitly blocked the SABC from broadcasting the matches on any channels carried by eMedia’s Openview.

eMedia claimed that these restrictions were anti-competitive and launched legal action against MultiChoice as a result.

The Competition Tribunal recently granted eMedia an interdict forcing MultiChoice to allow the SABC to broadcast live sports sub-licensed from SuperSport on Openview.

Spice TV: Could Zee Family And Star Select Also Exit Openview's Ultraview Or Could A Possible Restructure Be Underway?

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Last month, it was reported eMedia Investigation would be axing OUTtv by the end of the month. As further content fold under the eVOD streaming service, while Ultraview came with a fee content from OUTtv comes at no charge.

Of course, what eMedia Investments failed to mention was that FUSE would also exit the platform as they form part of a new joint venture on eVOD, OUTtv Proud. Thus concluding eMedia's short run in the pay-tv world or at least for Ultraview's EDGE bouquet. 

Ultraview only launched a year ago and already it is being dismantled with the Indian channels serving as the remainder.

As some readers are aware, Ultraview has been met with heavy criticism for its price rates and content offering leading some to speculate its possible demise. Taking to account, load shedding and other economic factors like competition (e.g. DStv).

Ultraview is anticipated to have attracted 3/4 digit number cause again a lot had happened in 2023. With load shedding consumers had to cutback on expenses and that included DStv and also with Netflix onboard - Ultraview never stood a stance.

Of course, from what consumer feedback seemed to hint at most of that traction came from Spice TV's Zee Family and Star Select. This is due to the existing offering already viewed on Star Life and Zee One, sister channels to the mentioned offering. 

Another having to with the timeslot as EDGE was opened between 9pm to 11pm where consumption is low.

It's likely that eMedia Investments could be awaiting on contracts to reach their duration and depart from the pay-tv world. In the last months, they haven't done much marketing for these brands and honestly it could lead up to them scrapping Ultraview. 

Another could be a possible restructuring to the Ultraview platform which would see Spice TV form part of an expansive lineup of channels. Problem with OUTtv is that not everyone is accustomed to its target audience so rather unify it with eVOD.

As for the expanded lineup, one theory would be curating eVOD into a standalone channel similar to M-Net's 1Max. It would carry eVOD originals while also supplying other content and who knows maybe the offering could be divided into multiple channels.

Recap To The Week: OUTtv And FUSE Are Coming Off Openview's Ultraview, Moving To eVOD

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During the week, it was reported eMedia Investigation would be axing OUTtv by the end of the month. As further content fold under the eVOD streaming service, while Ultraview came with a fee content from OUTtv comes at no charge.

Of course, this brought out a lot of unanswered questions for which we enquired to eMedia's teams and only got a response a short a while ago. This pertains to the rest of Ultraview's offering particularly EDGE since it only consisted of two channels.

According to a representative, FUSE will also be disconnected on the 30th April 2024. Similar to OUTtv, plans are underway to get FUSE on eVOD meaning Ultraview as some viewers predicted is a complete bust leaving consumers with the Indian channels.

For those who aren't aware, OUTtv Proud is a joint venture between OUTtv and FUSE. If eMedia Investments is saying FUSE will be added soon expect it to fold under OUTtv Proud which we presume is crowded with programming from OUTtv at the moment.

Similar to eMedia Investments, MultiChoice will also be two additional channels from their platform, WildEarth and Africa Magic Urban. This would serve as one of the many channels to have exited their platform in the last months without a replacement. 

Ultraview's Future In Doubt As OUTtv Proud Launches On eVOD With The OUTtv Channel Coming Off Openview By The End Of April

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OUTtv will be coming off the subscription Ultraview platform on Openview at the end of April. eMedia Investments has yet to mention a replacement for EDGE consumers unless that's being discontinued as FUSE would be the only TV channel currently priced at R75 per month.

Ultraview launched as a pay tier to the current free-to-view Openview platform comprises of two packages each with their own set of entertainment. Spice TV is a Bollywood package offering Zee Family and Star Select from India's largest broadcasters while EDGE is youth oriented for OUTtv and FUSE.

eMedia Investments has yet to disclose any further details on subscriber numbers for Ultraview but it is believed to be small bunch. Majority coming from Spice TV due to the existing involvement from Zee One and Star Life which serve as sister channels to the channels in question. 

EDGE would air in the later nights between 9pm and 11pm where consumers are either watching Uzalo on SABC 1 or Isitha: The Enemy on e.tv. Besides that viewership within these hours particularly for such channels are usually low.

Although OUTtv would be signing off from Openview this isn't necessarily a goodbye as the latter would be allocated on eMedia Investments other platform, eVOD. Similar to MultiChoice and NBCUniversal's endeavors with Showmax its likely that further content will surface on eMedia's other channels.

Prior to the introduction of OUTtv Proud, there were rumours flying around that OUTtv would be debuting a streaming service in the market. As companies are looking to consolidate and further reduce spending costs this was the probably the best chance OUTtv had in terms of survival. 

Press statement about OUTtv Proud

OUTtv Proud is proud to announce its exciting new home on the popular eVOD streaming platform. eVOD users can now see the popular and colourful OUT tv content at no extra cost.

After captivating audiences on Ultraview, OUTtv Proud is taking its critically acclaimed slate of content to the ever-growing world of streaming. eVOD viewers can now enjoy a wide range of colourful programming, from captivating dramas and comedies to thought-provoking documentaries and reality shows on South Africa’s first FAST channel.

“OUTtv Proud is already highly popular in the United, States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom and we look forward to building on that success in South Africa,” said Brad Danks, CEO of OUTtv. “South Africa has a rich, dynamic and vibrant LGBTQ+ community and we are excited to partner with eMedia to bring the world’s best LGBTQ+ TV series, movies and documentaries to them.”

What eMedia Investments Might Have Looked Like Under The Ownership Of Warner Bros. Discovery?

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As reported sometime ago, Warner Bros. Discovery was looking to acquire eMedia Investments several years back. Following various legal hurdles of foreign ownership sold their remaining shares as eMedia Investments continues to blossom.

They currently offer Openview, SA's most successful free-to-view DTT platform which is accessible to over 3 million households. It offers over 20 TV channels which offer a range of movies, reality shows, drama series, telenovelas, sports and cartoons.

Most of which probably wouldn't have been under Warner Bros. Discovery's radar leaving consumers the latter on DStv and StarSat.

Warner Bros. Discovery (known as Time Warner) at the time consisted of brands such as HBO, TNT, Cartoon Network and Cartoonito (formerly Boomerang). Before the merger in 2019, their lineup consisted of drama series, movies and cartoons.

There's no way eSeries could have entered the equation if M-Net licensed content from HBO and Warner Bros. Studios. Same goes for the kiddies channel eToonz which might have been supplemented by Cartoon Network all of which are pay-tv brands.

e.tv could have remained as a singular channel with the eMedia Investments trademark phased out. It would have been home to locally produced content while as licensing content from other studios and exploring Warner Bros. Studios archives.

There wouldn't be room for much expansions in terms of local programming e.g. Kuiertyd. 

eNCA would have probably been the only other TV channel with connections to the eMedia trademark. It would have served as the SA adaptation of CNN perhaps infusing its lineup if not co-existing or just have that heavy focus on the local economy. 

Pending Investigation: The Competition Tribunal Orders MultiChoice To Televise Their Sporting Content To Openview Consumers

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The Competition Tribunal has granted interim relief to eMedia in its fight with MultiChoice over the carriage of sublicensed sports from the SABC on its Openview free-to-air satellite platform.

eMedia took MultiChoice, which owns SuperSport, to the Competition Commission last year after the pay-television broadcaster refused to allow the SABC to broadcast rugby and cricket games on its channels it broadcasts via Openview.

According to a statement by the tribunal on Monday, eMedia has accused MultiChoice of “abusing its alleged dominant position by concluding anticompetitive and restrictive sublicensing agreements with the SABC”.

“eMedia alleges that MultiChoice prevents the SABC from broadcasting major sporting events (such as rugby and cricket games – including World Cup tournaments), sublicensed to the SABC, on the SABC’s channels carried on eMedia’s Openview platform.”

eMedia lodged a complaint with the Competition Commission last year and subsequently also sought interim relief from the tribunal to “stop MultiChoice from enforcing the restriction in existing sublicensing agreements or including such restrictions in any new sublicensing agreements until the merits of the case are decided”.

“The tribunal has granted eMedia interim relief pending the final determination of its complaint to the commission, or for a period of six months, whichever occurs first,” it said.

Recap To The Past Decade: Warner Bros. Discovery (Formerly Time Warner) Was Looking To Acquire eMedia Investments

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e.tv is a South African free-to-air entertainment channel operated by eMedia Investments. Since its inception, it became the second most TV channel in the country surpassing masses like SABC 2 and SABC 3 whose audience has declined in recent years. 

Similar to MultiChoice, eMedia Investments had garnered interest from foreign investors such as TF1 (France), Channel 9 (Australia) and United News Media (United Kingdom) with Time Warner (now Warner Bros. Discovery) owning 20%.

By 2001, South African laws limited foreign businesses hold over to local companies to 25%. Warner Bros. Discovery worried they may never to able to gain full ownership sold their shares to Remgro Limited (33%) and Hosken Consolidated Investments (67%).

Since then, Warner Bros. Discovery had produced various TV series and films alongside distribution of various channels in Latin America, France, India, Asia, Australia and New Zealand and Poland.

If Warner Bros. Discovery had pursued eMedia Investments as originally intended at the time. It's likely that most channels within eMedia's stable like eSeries and eReality would have access to an extensive lineup of content from Warner Bros. Studios.

Warner Bros. Discovery would have served as a competitor to MultiChoice while as licensing brands like Cartoon Network and Discovery to DStv. Their freemium channels would serve as a repeat channels while they continue to build their original content slate.

Openview Channel Changes From 01 January 2023 To 31 March 2024

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Unlike MultiChoice, 2023 was anything but productive for eMedia Investments free-to-air households. Several developments had occurred during the financial period but it's safe to say that part of these wasn't the most noteworthy with consumers. 

Last year, eMedia Investments had launched its rival offering to MultiChoice's DStv, Ultraview. Similar to the AddMovies format, it would consist of two bouquets one Spice TV is home to Bollywood favourites while the other EDGE serves a younger demographic. 

eMedia Investments has yet to share how many of their current Openview consumers had added Ultraview to their current subscription. Through an open window, it's evident that Spice TV is getting the most attention which consists of Zee Family and Star Select.

Outside of these endeavors, there was barely much to report for their non-paying consumers. eMedia Investments had rebranded one of their current TV channels eXposed to eSeries and also added two radio stations, Jacaranda FM and East Coast Radio.

LM Radio and BOK Radio were axed in favor of the these two stations while as Glow TV's lineup was supplemented by existing entertainment viewed on Star Life and Zee One.

eMedia Investments had promised to launch a few more TV channels none of which came to pass. Although consumers saw an increase in content investment with the addition of WildEarth on People's Weather both off which were formerly seen on MultiChoice's DStv. 

New channels 

OUTtv - Ultra

FUSE - Ultra

Star Select - Ultra

Zee Family - Ultra

Jacaranda FM - Free

East Coast Radio - Free 

Terminations 

Glow TV 

LM Radio

BOK Radio

Recap To Last Year: Could SABC Lehae Launch On Openview As A Replacement To e.tv's News And Sport Alongside SABC Variety?

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In 2021, SABC and eMedia Investments extended their agreement which led to additions like SABC Sport and SABC's 19 radio stations on the Openview platform. There was also promises for two entertainment channels to accompany the existing SABC 1-3.

These channels were also slated to launch within that year but since then SABC and eMedia Investments had gone rogue that doesn't mean there wasn't any noteworthy material.

During that long arrival of more TV channels, SABC Lehae was born which serves as the second news channel by the public broadcaster following SABC News. It offers news in indigenous languages by that I mean similar to most channels rehash content from SABC 1-3.

This was followed by SABC Variety which serves as a revival/replacement to the defunct SABC Encore brand on DStv. Unlike its previous iteration, SABC Variety also serves as a catch-up channel especially with sporting events.

For a while now, there has been a lot of commotion as to whether these could be the long awaited channels for Openview consumers. As both explore the public broadcaster's archived material aka repeats as they clearly highlighted for these new channels.

SABC Lehae would prove to be somewhat useful following the cancellation of News And Sport. Consumers were left without without a decent local news channel while SABC Sport fills up the sports and the channel would basically be rivalling with eNCA and Newsroom Afrika.

SABC Variety would serve as complimentary offering to Power Up when consumers miss out on shows. Similar to ePlesier and the former Rewind, the channel would invite nostalgia to viewer's screens.

Development Alert: Could France24 Be The Next Channel To Exit The Openview Platform?

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France24 is a French based news station operated by the local government. Based in France, it would offer news and current affairs aimed at the French market while as catering to other languages such as Spanish, English and Arabic. 

Since 2017, France24 was currently functional on the Openview platform after eMedia Investments silently axed the British based brand BBC News. It garnered backlash from various consumers with some not viewing it in the same league as the former BBC channel.

This past week, a viewer had browsed the TV Guide for France24 and noticed that the channel's programme guide ends by 3 March while other channels still provide a full week line-up. It led to further speculation that eMedia Investments could be looking to axe France24.

In eMedia Investments last financial records, they promised to launch a few more channels before 31 March 2024. None of which materialized in 2023 with the company down to a few weeks before the start of a new cycle.

With the possible closure of France24, consumers would be expecting a replacement as it was the only liable source of news following the demise of e.tv News And Sport. Those wishing to view the channel would have to get Starsat and pay R150 monthly.