Might MultiChoice ever go with the a la carte channel approach where subscribers get to choose the TV channels they want and only pay for that DStv subscription, or might MultiChoice create new, specific-interest genre channel bouquets like just a bunch of sport channels like a SuperSport bouquet for instance?
In the pay TV world of course not all TV channels are equal, and the more desirable channels (that actually cost more), in fact ''cross subsidise'' the possibility of the lesser or smaller channels.
They're bundled together by pay TV platforms and the service is sold to subscribers. This intricate channel distribution/pay operator ecosystem will unravel if more popular and more expensive channels are not bundled together with less popular and less exclusive channels. Think about it: There's simply not as many people who will actively select The Style Network as who will select SuperSport for instance.
''At MultiChoice we have the DStv bouquets that we have but we always keep on doing research; we constantly study pay TV platforms around the world,'' said Aletta Alberts, general manager for content at MultiChoice, when asked about the possibility of a la carte channels subscriber choice or the creation of new DStv bouquets in future.
''As trends change, obviously, definitely we like to be at the front end of that. It is something we keep at the back of the mind. But I can't promise that to you today. It is something that we're watching,'' Aletta Alberts said.
''As we develop and as new technology, new back-end systems, and all of that come onto the market, it does become something that we keep on investigating. Who knows? Sometime in the near future we might have some news for you on that. It doesn't mean that we are going to do it but I am just saying that it's not just 'No, we are never going to do it'. That's the most I can for now talk about that.''
Three takes on the very latest about this issue in America:
Reuters / Los Angeles Times Business / IT World
