Following the SABC that will not be having an end-of-year press party for TV critics and TV writers in South Africa for the 2nd year in a row, is DStv where MultiChoice is not planning an end-of-year press event for journalists covering television as the pay platform has done for several years.
At last year's DStv year end press party where MultiChoice rented the foyer and cellar of a massive mansion on the exact same night as the live finale of SA's Got Talent on SABC2, only Tonight's Lara de Matos resisted the lure of the always-awesome DStv goodie bag to actually go and cover real news about television. Of course some of my fat friends (okay they're not friends) stood on the front steps, not enjoying the party and just waited for those gifts to come out, after which they blatantly left and one still screaming about where the shuttle is to take her to her car.
Maybe that's why a lot of TV critics have a bad reputation and why places like DStv don't see the sense in doing all this effort anymore - because of the mostly mediocre, and mostly badly-done celebrity written drivel about television in South Africa instead of substantitive TV beat reporting. Mostly gone are the days of informed South African TV critics like the super Sallys, Bettys and Bobs (real names).
What I've really liked about the DStv year end function for press in the past years is whenthe always-awesome Aletta Alberts, MultiChoice's general manager for content, would actually come to talk to the press, talk about what DStv has done in the year, answer questions and hint a bit about what lies ahead. And always saying (as she has been since she was channel head at SABC2): ''Talk about us and write about us whatever you want, but do keep talking and writing about us.'' I like the opportunity to talk to the TV people and getting a feel and tonality of how things (business wise) are, and seeing what secrets and snippets I can find. Its also ironic, given DStv's 15th birthday this year, all the new channels, technological advances and other commercial services MultiChoice have rolled out this year, that DStv won't be crowing at a press event about it. And yes. I will miss the annual promo of what's to come in 2011 on DStv where last year I dug up this little nugget because I actually watch it and enjoy a peek at what's coming in the new year.
Now, as the caliber and number of credible TV critics in the country keep withering away ("Where's my goodie bag? I want my goodie bag!''), so do the chances and opportunities at the end of the year to interact with broadcasters. Have yourselves a merry little Christmas time.
