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The free-to-air commercial South African broadcaster e.tv plans to launch its digital terrestrial television service in April 2012 - a soft launch, with a full commercial launch planned for between July 2012 and September 2012.
ALSO READ: e.tv plans to launch the commercial free-to-air broadcaster's DTT service and new TV channels within the first half of 2012.
''e.tv wishes to launch a digital terrestrial television (DTT) service within the next 9 to 12 months,'' Lara Kantor, senior e.tv executive told parliament's portfolio committee on communications. She said e.tv will join SABC with a soft DTT launch in April 2012, followed by a full commercial launch between July and September 2012 ''the date to be confirmed when we are more confident.''
We don't want to raise expectations yet again and not be able to fulfill those,'' Lara Kantor warned. ''Meeting those deadlines will require focus from e.tv and strong collaboration of industry and government. e.tv is committed to work with all other roleplayers to make sure our pans are aligned and that the free-to-air platform will be successful,'' she said.
''We are committed to launching DTT in 2012. We need leadership [from government and the regulator Icasa] to resolve those matters speedily,'' Lara Kantor implored.
ALSO READ: e.tv on digital terrestrial television (DTT) in South Africa: ''Our greatest challenge lies before us''; needs DTT ''for our own survival''.
ALSO READ: e.tv and M-Net seems to be fighting with each other the functionality of the free-to-air set top box control.
ALSO READ: e.tv on free-to-air set top box control: ''We do not have any direct benefit from this system. We appeal for finality on this matter.''
