Since it's becoming too hard to keep under wraps, I'm spilling that according to what sources are telling me, MultiChoice is currently testing under a selection of its employees (and planning to roll out) an extension of its DStv on Demand service. This for-now-called DStv Box Office enhancement will allow DStv premium subscribers the first full pay per view functionality in high definition (HD) in South Africa.
I was told that MultiChoice plans to unveil Box Office as part of the upgraded DStv on Demand feature launched earlier this year in May in which subscribers would be able to ''order'' and watch movies - similar to BSkyB's Sky Box Office - available at the same time as the DVD release and before the pay television window. Similar to the current DStv on Demand TV shows that viewers can access for a number of days, a rotating number of movies will be available in high definition (HD) for DStv premium subscribers.
MultiChoice dabbled with pay per view movies on demand in the past but the service was stunted. However the new DStv on Demand functionality (coupled with internet broadband penetration levels in South Africa), advances in digital personal video recorders (PVR's) and a renewed sense of urgency around the growth in the ways that consumers and pay TV subscribers have access to digital content, have put new impetus behind MultiChoice's decision to explore the possibility of this service. It's something that the pay TV platform wants to roll out as soon as possible, I'm told.
ALSO READ: MultiChoice will possibly roll out something in the line of DStv movies on demand very soon.
ALSO READ: MultiChoice officially launches its DStv on Demand service.
