E.tv complained that it wants more ''space'' on the multiplex set aside for the free to air channel, which is says would - as the regulations currently stand - limit it to being able to provide only ONE high definition (HD) TV channel.
In the current regulations e.tv gets 60% of Multiplex 2 (SABC gets Multiplex 1 and M-Net gets Multiplex 3 with certain switchover conditions)
The bandwidth on Multiplex 2 says e.tv, is just enough to broadcast one HD channel. And e.tv has plans to broadcast more than one HD channel during and after South African television makes to switch to DTT.
Zubair Munshi, e.tv's group executive for business development and strategy said the bandwidth set aside in the current draft regulations will only make it possible for e.tv to broadcast one HD channel.
E.tv believes that a single HD channel will not be enough of an incentive to get South Africans to switch over soon and fast enough to digital broadcasts (for which consumers will have to buy a new digital set top box).
According to e.tv the current space would allow e.tv to either:
1.broadcast 5 normal TV channels and an electronic TV guide (EPG)
2.or, 2 normal TV channels, 1 HD channel and an electronic TV guide (EPG).
For Icasa, the priority is a basic digital migration to DTT, and not really an ''upgrade'' to HD quality broadcasts. E.tv however wants to (because of the cost of the investment to switch over to digital broadcasts) upgrade to HD as far as possible in the process anyway.
