by Thinus Ferreira
While its financial position forced MultiChoice to scrap its announced plans for DStv Glass - a TV set with a built-in decoder based on the UK's Sky Glass - the pay-TV operator is now rolling out some of the functionality that would have been incorporated in that for DStv Stream customers, like "Watch from Start" and cloud recordings.
From Tuesday 12 November DStv Stream will allow viewers to jump back on certain linear TV channels and "rewind" up to 24-hours.
The Telkom ONE streamer which was taken over by the SABC for its SABC+ streamer was the first to offer this linear roll-back option to users.
The functionality was also meant to become available in DStv Glass, where DStv subscribers would have been able to talk to their TV set to switch to a specific TV channel and to then order "Watch from Start" to see a movie or TV show episode from the beginning that might already have started.
MultiChoice will now also make it possible for DStv Stream users to save live shows to watch within 30 days. Traditional DStv decoders can't do "Watch from Start" or cloud recording.
MultiChoice says the added DStv Stream functionality will become available on 12 November for web users, with gradual updates across iOS, Android, and other platforms.
"With 'Watch from Start' and Cloud PVR, we're giving viewers more control over their viewing experience," says Marc Jury, MultiChoice South Africa CEO.
"We know customers want the freedom to enjoy content on their schedule, and these new features bring the flexibility of streaming to the live TV experience. Our customers can now enjoy the best of both."
"Watch from Start" won't be available for all DStv linear TV channels but will include several SuperSport channels, M-Net (DStv 101), Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and kykNET (DStv 144).
The cloud recording function allows DStv Stream subscribers save live content, accessible in the "My Stuff" section. According to MultiChoice, both features are set to roll out with automatic updates where possible.
