by Thinus Ferreira
Openview decided to switch the BBC World News
channel on its satellite pay-TV service for France24 – but Openview viewers are
angry and upset, especially because it happened without warning and because
they don’t see the French-based TV news channel to be in the same league as the
global news reach of the BBC.
Viewers are mostly quiet about so-called “boring”
TV news channels and their often seemingly mundane rolling 24-hour TV news
coverage.
But Openview didn’t bargain on just how much viewers actually value,
want and watch BBC World News in South Africa and the rest of Southern Africa.
An avalanche of viewers have reacted negatively and with an outpouring of anger after e.tv abruptly replaced the international TV news channel BBC World News with France24 from 1 August 2020 on its Openview free-to-air satellite service without warning.
eMedia Investments added BBC World News on 4 September 2017 to Openview.
At the time, e.tv said in a statement that "BBC World News' reputation for global breaking news is a huge drawcard for us and we're delighted to be able to offer our viewers a window to the world of quality and integrity".
Now BBC World News is abruptly gone and replaced on Openview by the English-language feed of the French TV news channel France24.
Viewers flooded Openview with complaints.
On social media, Openview said "We have seen all your comments about BBC World News and France24.
"Our intention is not to make you unhappy, and we are sorry to have caused you distress. Let's welcome France24 as our new normal and continue getting the best news from around the world".
In response to a media enquiry e.tv says that the BBC World News contract ended and that it decided to go with France24.
"The carriage agreement between BBC World News and Openview has ended," says Marlon Davids, managing director of e.tv channels.
"In accordance with our mandate to give our audience a range of choices, we’ve brought France24 on board. It’s not new to our platform and fared well when it was carried on our news and sport channel."
Viewers are extremely unhappy with the OpenView channel change that elicited hundreds of angry comments from furious and disappointed Openview viewers.
Richard Ainstley said "this is a real step backwards. France24 is pushing news from a French perspective, whereas BBC World News is a proper international news channel. Please reconsider. Have both if you like but I will not be watching France24".
Steven Hill said "Why don't you admit that BBC World News was no longer going to give it to you for free? France24 is giving it to you for free".
Richard Bamhare said "This is really bad. At least you could have asked us. BBC World News is much better than France24. And add Sky News while at it."
Clive Gumbo said "In terms of news BBC has got quality and world-class standards. The best that you could have done for your fans was to introduce both channels or at least just retained BBC World News".
Isaac Moleleki said "France24 is highly irrelevant to South Africans. I'm contemplating to reconnect my DStv if France24 keeps showing me North and West African pictures".
Moses Mavicks said "In future, give us notice and reasons in advance for removing a channel" and that "BBC World News wasn't the best but much better than this France24".
Rachel Theunissen said "BBC was giving us the real story of what's going on here in South Africa".
Sushil Magoo said "What a great disappointment. What a pity we bought this box. BBC World News is all we watch. Please bring it back now".
Graham Thomas said "Clearly nobody likes France24. If you can no longer broadcast BBC World News, at least go over to one of the other international news stations, for example TRT, Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle news, CGTN. You are currently broadcasting on a channel that few or none watch".
Mandy Goettsch said "Openview is a total waste of time. BBC World News was the only reason I got it to start with. France24 has nothing to do with us and half the time we can't understand it either".
Johan Joubert said ""I joined Openview for the reason that BBC World News was the channel I was drawn to watch. Now there is nothing else. France24 definitely does not have the same quality news broadcast. We can just as well just watch one of the SABC news channels - not worth it sorry".
Mark Andrews said "the way the BBC World News channel was removed without warning or consultation with customers will damage the Openview brand going forward. I am fortunate enough that I am able to stream other international news channels but for many Openview customers this is not possible. Hopefully in future Openview will engage in communication with their loyal customers".
