TopTV has lost another TV channel with Fox Retro (TopTV 181) from Fox International Channels Africa (FIC Africa) going dark without any explanation, warning or advance warning given to Fox Retro viewers or TopTV subscribers.
TopTV now displays an on-screen message telling TopTV subscribers simply that Fox Retro no longer exists on the channel line-up of the beleaguered South African satellite pay-TV platform.
In May FIC Africa assured TopTV and Fox viewers that Fox won't be pulling any of its 5 Fox supplied TV channels off of the TopTV platform after all the TV channels from Discovery suddenly disappeared.
FIC Africa said in May when specifically asked about it, that it has "no plans to remove channels" from TopTV. Now Fox Retro is permanently gone.
MultiChoice's DStv will be adding the new Fox Crime channel from FIC Africa to DStv from 19 July; insiders told me today that FIC was or is apparently planning to replace Fox Retro with Fox Crime. That news so far I could not confirm, although it would yield one possible explanation for Fox Retro going dark on TopTV.
I reached out on email and phone Monday morning to both TopTV and the representation working for FIC Africa in Johannesburg about Fox Retro, but so far no answers on why the channel stopped.
In April TopTV ended its self-compiled and own branded Top Junior and Top Movies+24 channels, calling it an "unavoidable exercise". Neither of those channels has so far been replaced.
TopTV is currently in business rescue, with the Woodmead based pay-TV operator which got a licence from the broadcasting regulator earlier this year to start a separate porn bouquet of three pornographic channels - Desire TV, Private Spice and Playboy TV - supplied by Playboy UK/Benelux Limited.
On Digital Media (ODM) which runs the TopTV platform has not yet given any indication of whether it will go ahead with its porn plans to launch it commercially. Asked last week about latest developments regarding the operator and the bail-out proceedings with China's StarTimes taking a stake in the company, TopTV declined comment.
11:50 - TopTV respond to a media enquiry confirming that Fox Retro is no longer available as a TV channel. TopTV says: "This was a decision by Fox to terminate the channel over the whole of Africa. It was not a TopTV decision. Discussions are far advanced with regard to a replacement channel and we will advise as soon as the details are known."
12:53 - FIC Africa, through the PR agency its retains, At Vogue Communications, issues a general press statement to all press, saying the "vintage channel exists pay-TV platform TopTV".
"Though FOX Retro has continued to confirm its position as a proven value destination for pay-TV viewers, FIC has determined that delivering channels with a broader content base will better serve local audiences."
The statement says FOX Retro is getting dumped on TopTV "to ensure that the African portfolio more closely resembles the international channel structure".
"The company understands the popularity of retro programming and has therefore included a daily retro block on FOX (DStv 125 / TopTV 180) to cater to Retro's committed audience."
Alessandro Tucci, FOX International Channels (FIC) Africa general manager says "Retro was an excellent channel choice when we launched in the local market. As we have settled into the market we have had the opportunity to gauge which brands are more relevant to African audiences working within the key channel brands that FIC has identified internationally."
"The plan to discontinue the channel is part of our global strategy to deliver the right channel brands and content mixes to our local audiences. We have reviewed our content strategy and believe that our retro programming has a better home on our flagship channel FOX."
"This will also see a larger audience across the continent being able to access retro favourites."
ALSO READ: Fox Retro's awful end on TopTV: Another terrible, real-life how-not-to example of pathetic communication.
ALSO READ: Fox International Channels Africa explains pulling Fox Retro, the lack of communication, and if Fox Crime is coming to TopTV.
