SABC “categorically refutes” agreement with OpenView HD
Hot on the heels of the announcement that a new direct-to-home satellite TV service called OpenView HD will launch in South Africa in October, the SABC has accused them of misleading the public with their claims that the service will include its three channels.
The SABC, in a strongly worded press statement on Thursday, said: “The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) categorically refutes a statement made by the newly launched satellite television service, Open View HD where they claim that they will carry SABC television channels 1, 2 and 3 on their bouquet.
“The SABC acknowledges the growing digital television broadcasting environment in the country, however the Open View HD pronouncement that SABC television channels will form part of their bouquet is not true, as the public service broadcaster does not have any agreement with the newly launched satellite television service. The public service broadcaster views this matter in a serious light, as the said satellite provider is misleading the public.
“It is imperative to note that the SABC and signal distributer SENTECH have reached an agreement to have SABC channels on a free-to-air basis on the SENTECH Universal Access Direct To Home satellite (DTH-S) platform by the end of September 2013. The corporation therefore appeals to Open View HD not to confuse the public, with false advertising of their services.”
Neither Platco Digital or OpenView HD had, at the time of writing, responded to the SABC’s accusations.
– TEAMtalk Media
