Kagiso Media (KGM) wants the South African broadcasting regulator to grant it a pay-TV broadcasting license to operate an "affordable" pay-TV service costing R240 a month for which it wants to become "the leading provider of pay-TV services to low-income households in South Africa".
Kagiso TV's pay-TV offering in South Africa would be heavily focused on providing subscribers local entertainment, local news and educational programmes.
Kagiso TV, Close-T Broadcast Network Holdings, Siyaya Free to Air, Mindset Media Enterprises, and Mobile TV have all applied for new pay-TV licences in South Africa with the aim of starting brand-new subscription services in the country and is this week presenting their applications and plans before the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa).
Should it receive a subscription TV licence in South Africa, Kagiso TV plans to have subscribers choose their own TV channels from a selection of available TV channels to build their own bouquet and is highly focused on providing South African pay-TV subscribes with local content.
KGM for instance owns Urban Brew Studios which specialises in TV broadcasting and is also involved in TV content and TV channel creation, as well as several radio stations across South Africa which it says proves its experience and track-record in broadcasting.
Icasa's previous round of licensing for pay-TV operators in South Africa saw Telkom Media, On Digital Media, WOWtv and eSat apply. All besides ODM failed to launch a service and ODM's TopTV which eventually launched is now in business rescue.
