Pan-African bird set to take wing
Monopoly could soon be over
Not only has the Independent Communication Authority of South Africa just invited applications for new pay TV licenses in South Africa, but Johannesburg-based production company Black Earth Communications is preparing to launch a rival pan-African digital satellite service from neighboring Botswana.
Andrew Jones, BAC's editor and senior producer, says it applied for a commercial license from Botswana's National Broadcasting Board in November for its proposed Black Entertainment Satellite Television service, which will target black and white viewers.
BAC is optimistic it will get the greenlight this month and hopes to be up and running in the second half of the year.
The idea for the venture arose out of failure, says Jones.
"We tried for several years to gain a foothold on the DSTV platform, and even though we had the backing of some major players, we were turned away. The reason given was that MultiChoice wasn't sure how to approach the black market except with soccer, some musicvideos and what the SABC has to offer.
"The closer we looked at it though, the more we realized that, apart from racial stereotyping, there was a much bigger picture and a bigger business opportunity, and that we should launch a rival to MultiChoice."
Jones says he also was blocked by South Africa's commercial signal distributors -- Telkom, Vodacom and Sentech -- which expressed "skepticism about the ability of black people to run a big pay TV channel."
Botswana emerged as a natural alternative due to its proximity to South Africa, its political and economic stability and good infrastructure.
The company will invest $5 million in infrastructure in the first year of operation and create employment in Botswana, Jones says.
Black Entertainment Satellite Television will operate from the capital, Gaborone, and will initially offer viewers between five and 10 channels at a monthly subscription of less than $15, says Jones. It plans to eventually upgrade to more than 100 channels.
Content will include information channels, music TV and documentaries from the Caribbean, Europe and the U.S., which will be repackaged for the African market.
also plans to launch an HIV/Aids channel to educate the population and celebrate the progress made in the fight against the disease.
"We know we have many doubters, but we are 100% confident that what we want to do can be done, and we would not have applied for the license if we were not ready," Jones says. "We believe that the African market has not really been understood or tapped, and that is why subscription growth has stagnated on the continent."
