Angry and upset Openview viewers lost access to the Indian Glow TV channel without explanation with the channel that is suddenly no longer available on eMedia's free-to-air satellite service since October.
In a Facebook post Openview said that "To our fans, we apologise for the last minute notice! Glow TV is no longer available on the Openview bouquet".
Openview didn't explain why Glow TV is no longer available on the service but said that its "partnership" with Glow TV "has come to an end".
Glow TV said in a statement attributed to its "management" that "We are aware that our channel is not appearing on the Openview platform. We are busy trying to resolve the problem. We will repeat all the shows missed, once resolved. Glow TV is still available on the StarTimes platform. Our sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused".
Glow TV management refused to explain what the actual "problem" is.
With two different public statements on social media from eMedia's Openview and from Glow TV, it's clear that somebody is lying and that there is more corporate drama behind-the-scenes that viewers and South Africa's TV industry are not privy to.
Glow TV was abruptly dumped by MultiChoice from its DStv service in March 2018, but remains available on China's StarTimes and StarSat pay-TV service on channel 570.
Meanwhile, Openview has been engulfed by a floor of complaints and angry comments from extremely upset Openview viewers.
"You took it from DStv, and then I bought this Openview to watch the stories. And now what now?" asked Openview customer Magda Visser.
"How are we going to watch Love at First Bite now?" asked Natisha Singh. "And how can you tell us last minute? Very disappointing."
Barbie Page said "Please don't go down the same road as StarSat and start removing channels without replacing them with good alternatives".
Young Layo remarked that it's "Time to move to StarSat, this Openview thing doesn't make sense anymore.
"Wow," said Karin Olckers. "Just like that. It's one of the reasons why I left DStv. And please don't touch Star Life."
Graham Thomas said "This is unacceptable. At least be professional and give the reason as to why, instead of lying and telling viewers it is a technical problem".
Molefimish Bathathiwa says "Communication has never been your strong point. As your fans you take us for granted when it comes to channel removals and content changes. Every day you force us to consider DStv again because of unfair treatment you give us. You also took off La Liga and Jupiler Pro League without any explanation. Now it's NBA and no-one is saying nothing from Openview. You're going down the road of StarSat".
Aanisah Coopoo says "Very disappointing. Glow TV is the only channel we watch on Openview. You have a lot of nonsense channels but remove the good ones. No notice even. You lost a customer.We will just be watching Netflix, shame."
Fabian Uys said "Openview, your heads of channels and content are clueless of what people want. I bet they don't even watch Openview. They all watch Netflix and DStv at their homes".
Colleen Cottle said: "Openview, you guys have no idea what you have done to your viewers".
Moyira Dee said "Yhooo, my mother is angry. The mood-infused problems you have caused in my households right now".
Cherilyn Wood said "Openview, very bad. You can't stop Glow TV without warning people. Some people actually like to watch Glow TV. Very bad service."
Armie Noormahomed remarked that "This is not right. They should have completed new series that started first. Ask the people's opinions" and that "Openview owes all the followers as well as Openview decoder owners an answer!"
Menzi Endinaneni said "If you let us know in time it would be better instead of just 'cut off' unannounced. Please, Openview, let us, your viewers know in time for changes like DStv and StarSat do. We know now by the end of October that VUZU and M-Net City will be removed."
Jaydon Rampershad asked: "I am sure that Glow TV and Star Life are amongst the most popular channels. Why don't you remove some of the unnecessary channels that have the least viewership?"
"You've got to put Emperor Ashoka and A Touch of Love somewhere," said Magreth Sibanda,"Else we will go back to DStv".
Dorian Gray asked: "Glow TV has notified the public that they have a temporary problem on the Openview platform and that they will repeat content once it has been resolved. What is really going on?"
