Welcome to Insidus, your source for the latest DStv and Openview channel news in South Africa
Drake And Josh (GBA)
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.
Is Comcast's SpinCo Another Canal+'s LicenceCo As The Company Remains Silent On The Future Of It's Cable Networks On DStv And The Rest Of The World?
Canal+ And MultiChoice: Packaging AI For Africa’s Future???
A+ Kids is an educational linear TV, VOD & OTT services supported by Artificial Intelligence (AI) gamified educational digital platform for kids aged 3-7 focusing on learning English, math, science and the world around us. Integrating videos and games - all packaged into a simple to use gamified world.
For those who don't know, MultiChoice's potential new owners Canal+ (through Thema Distribution) has been supplying A+ Kids to consumers in parts of Europe and Africa. One has to wonder with the French broadcaster eyeing DStv if they'll look to get some if not all their services from Francophone markets on the platform.
MultiChoice had outlined that the transaction would lead them to additional content and services. This could also include aligning/integrating the offering of Canal+ Afrique with that of DStv.
Artificial intelligence has already seen dominance that Google and X (Formerly Twitter) incorporate it to their daily operations and I hear Sky News is diving into the digital world with AI being added to the mix. It is only a matter of time till MultiChoice (with a fallen DStv base) looks to incorporate in order to minimise jobs and save money.
Since 2023, Google has destroyed the livelihoods of several independent sites including HouseFresh, Retrododo, Giant Freakin Robot and Ready Steady Cut. Some of these sites generated part of their revenue through ads which was used to pay employees and other expenses with traffic being diverted has led such businesses to even close.
I'm not saying AI is bad entirely there's A+ Kids which is constructed for educational purposes but it is a job stealer. Look at Mindset on channel 319, within each course you have a different invigilator for each subject unlike AI+ Kids which relies on animation and a voice typing machine.

