Greyling said, “We not only plan to introduce new programs but also new technology. In the next 12 months, we will be broadcasting directly to your mobile phone.” He was speaking at press luncheon as part of activities to mark its Multichoice's 10th anniversary in Uganda, at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel on October 15.
He said the innovation will be made possible by collaboration between local telecommunications companies with Third Generation (3G) network technology and Multichoice Africa. In Uganda, MTN, Uganda Telecom, and Celtel Uganda the nation's telecommunications operators have all upgraded to 3G technology which supports bulky multimedia transfers between mobile phones and computers.
“In other markets, between $10 and $15 is charged for mobile television,” Greyling said, adding that subscribers should therefore expect a lower rate for the service. His company charges a monthly subscription fee of between $18 and $66 for between 20 and 50 channels, on its home and business customers, for its service.
At the event, Aletta Alberts GM Head of Content Africa Multichoice Africa also revealed that DSTV will add five new channels on its menu which already boosts of over 60 channels, in the first week of November, this year. The channels she said are in line with DSTV's agenda of improving its local content and providing services that are sought by African, on Pay-TV. The new channels will include; Trace a new urban music channel, One Gospel for Christian Music, Natural Geo Wild for people who like discovering more about nature and animals, Style Network and M-net stars that will broadcast news and information about Hollywood film stars.
She said the five channels and others which will be added onto the menu were found to relate to the audiences and more efforts will be directed towards fulfilling the demands of African subscribers.
Alberts also said that a recent content survey promoted DSTV to come up with a new East African drama among other local programs. The 26-episodes drama, which will feature Uganda, Tanzanian and Kenyan actors and actresses, will be broadcast in widely spoken East African languages. “We have received 26 proposals and the person who gets to make the drama will be announced on October 29,” she said. Alberts said, the drama will be unveiled on April 22 next year.
The group's innovations come at a time when pay-TV just got competitive in Uganda. GTV entered the market earlier this year, and they are riding high on 80% exclusive rights to broadcast the English Premier League. Their entry led to significant reduction in hardware and subscription charges by Multichoice for its DSTV services. The services initially cost an arm and a leg and thus were branded the wealthy people's television.
So far, Uganda has three pay-TV providers including Pearl Digital Television which is owned by three citizens. Pearl Digital is scheduled to hold a major launch next month and is most likely to see the race to offer better services further reduce service charges.
