Awful radio interview with MultiChoice COO Mark Rayner on 702 about shutting down DStv Mobile turns very awkward and testy.

A cringe-worthy interview on Radio 702 with MultiChoice turned badly awkward when Naspers' pay-TV service on Thursday couldn't really give clear and satisfying answers about scrapping its DStv Mobile service.

The news about shutting down DStv Mobile has led to a lot of angry complaints from customers who are now forced to pay more if they want to continue watching the same TV they've been viewing, as well as having to pay for expensive broadband data.

MultiChoice is shutting down its DStv Mobile service at the end of October and already started turning off transmitters, leaving people with hardware they won't be able to use, and having to pay for data in addition a subscription fee if they want to continue to watch DStv as they have been doing with the DStv Mobile service.

MultiChoice didn't issue any press release about shutting down DStv Mobile but the broader South African public have been talking about it nonetheless.

After South African citizens and DStv Mobile customers gave their opinions on Radio 702, MultiChoice said it wants a right of reply and 702 agreed to interview Mark Rayner, MultiChoice chief operating officer (COO).

On Thursday Joanne Joseph interviewed Mark Rayner, saying 702 received a lot of calls and messages about MultiChoice scrapping DStv Mobile.

From the outset Mark Rayner who said the product has become obsolete didn't come across very well and didn't specifically answer any of the questions or the concerns of DStv Mobile subscribers, instead sounding extremely evasive.

It's not clear why MultiChoice decided to do an interview about DStv Mobile if it doesn't have specific answers for the South African public and DStv Mobile users losing the service.

Joanne Joseph asked Mark Rayner what about South Africans and customers who don't have access to the internet and WiFI and who feel that they're being backed into a corner by MultiChoice and will have to access the internet to pay for data just to watch DStv.

Mark Rayner didn't answer the question and said mobile penetration in South Africa is "well over 100%". He said nothing about data costs. 

Joanne Joseph said what upsets people is that they understand technology moving on, but are still able to use mobile phones and cars when those things have been overtaken by newer technology. She said people have paid up to R1 000 for MultiChoice devices that MultiChoice is making worthless.

Mark Rayner said MultiChoice is giving DStv Mobile subscribers a R500 Takealot voucher to spend on a DStv product or "spend on a smartphone or spend on a computer".

A listener, Grant, also asking about the cost of data, wanted to know from Mark Rayner what his father-in-law - who used DStv Mobile and watched using a signal that didn't cost anything besides the DStv subscription fee - can use instead of the DStv Walka that will give all of the DStv channels they got that they pay for, without the data charges that becomes the customers' problem.

Mark Rayner said MultiChoice is giving people the Takealot voucher to buy a "new TV, or smartphone or a tablet".

Mark Rayner couldn't give a specific answer and said the cost of data is coming down. He said cellular operators have attractive data packages.

"But Mark, come on lets not kid ourselves, compared to other African countries,compared to European countries, America, we know very well that our data costs are a good deal higher," said Joanne Joseph.

"Yes, we certainly have work to do in that regard," said Mark Rayner.

Then Joanne Joseph asked, "in terms of your decision to scrap the DStv Mobile service, how linked is it to your precarious financial situation as a company right now?"

"I'm not sure what precarious situation we're in," said Mark Rayner.

"Really? Mark?" said Joanne Joseph. "I'm shocked that you don't know what's going on in your own company. How many subscribers have you lost in the last year, Mark?"

Mark Rayner said "we grew our subscriber base by - I can't disclose" and said DStv subscribers grew.

"Oh, so you haven't lost any?" asked Joanne Joseph.

"Every year we win some and we lose some Joanne," said Mark Rayner.

"Wow. Thank you very much for that Mark, because the rest of us would have thought that DStv had lost a good number of customers," said Joanne Joseph.

Joanne Joseph was clearly thinking of when Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice SA CEO earlier this year told South Africa's broadcasting regulator, Icasa, that MultiChoice had lost 100 000 DStv Premium subscribers to Netflix South Africa in its last financial year.

Mark Rayner said "certainly we do lose subscribers and we gain new ones. It's part of the cycle of our business".

Joanne Joseph said "that probably explains why some of your customers feel that you don't actually need their custom and patronage because you are simply able to attract new custom fairly easily".

"No that's certainly not how I think of the company, Joanne," said Mark Rayner who said every DStv customer matters.

Another called, Bruce, said MultiChoice offered DStv Mobile for R50, what is MultiChoice going to offer now.

"You can pick up one of our other satellite TV packages and get access to the DStv Now product for free,or perhaps you might be interested in picking up something like Showmax that for R99 gives you a great selection of video-on-demand," said Mark Rayner.

Another listener, Kevin said "DStv cut me off in the middle of the Springbok game the past Saturday on my Walka TV. They don't want people watching premier sport and only paying R50 per month, that is the reason".

You can listen to the whole 702 interview here:

MultiChoice finally shuttering DStv Mobile in South Africa at the end of October as transmitters for DVB-H are turned off.

MultiChoice is finally shuttering its obsolete DStv Mobile service in South Africa at the end of October similar to what it has been doing in Kenya and other African countries recently.

MultiChoice is dumping its DStv DVB-H mobile pay-TV service with the outdated and obsolete DStv Walka and DStv Drifta going dodo.

The DVB-H service - the "H" standing for handset - is getting shut down on 31 October 2018, 11 years after DStv Mobile was launched in 2007 in South Africa.

MultiChoice says when it launched DStv Mobile the technology was new but "over the last few years technology has evolved as broadband access continues to grow. It’s not feasible to continue to maintain a separate land-based, dedicated network for this service alone, when an even better service can be offered to our customers on DStv Now through the internet and WiFi".

MultiChoice already started shutting down transmitters so existing DStv Mobile subscribers who have been paying R49 per month for the service are not guaranteed to still get it until the end of the month with MultiChoice offering them R500 Takealot coupons.

DStv Mobile subscribers are encouraged to dump their obsolete Drifta and Walka devices at MultiChoice branches in Randburg, Durban and Cape Town or at DStv agencies where there are recycling bins.

MultiChoice dumps DVB-H broadcasting in Kenya as its DStv Mobile and GOtv Mobile service reaching end of life, will get shut down 1 September.

MultiChoice is finally also dumping its DStv DVB-H mobile pay-TV service in East Africa with MultiChoice Kenya shuttering its DStv Mobile service from 1 September.

The outdated and obsolete DStv Walka and DStv Drifta are going dodo with the DVB-H service - "H" standing for handset - getting shut down this coming Saturday, 11 years after DStv Mobile was launched in 2007 in South Africa and in 2011 in Kenya.

MultiChoice wants mobile users to access DStv and GOtv through the DStv Now app, streaming TV content through using data.

"Our Mobile TV service was fist launched in 2007. At the time, we were the first to pioneer technology to broadcast to mobile mobile phones," say MultiChoice Kenya in a statement.

"However, as technology has evolved, and with the introduction of broadband, the streaming of audiovisual content to multiple devices - for instance smartphones, tablets and laptops - has become more attractive."

"DVB-H-based mobile TV broadcasting, along with the range of devices used to access this technology, have reached their end of life. The DStv Mobile and GOtv Mobile TV service will therefore end on Saturday 1 September".

DStv Mobile adds kykNET and Mzansi Magic as channels; ends Africa Magic Movies; hopes to 'reach a broader audience'.

DStv Mobile is adding kykNET and Mzansi Magic as TV channels to its mobile offering and removing Africa Magic Movies.

"With the addition of Mzansi Magic and kykNET we hope to reach a broader audience," says John Kotsaftis, the CEO of DStv Mobile.

kykNET on DStv Mobile devices will only be available to DStv Premium subscribers; Mzansi Magic won't be a 100% duplicate but will be largely the same as the DStv satellite channel - where licences have not been granted for certain movies, substitute filler movies will be broadcast on DStv Mobile.

DStv Mobile provides 15 DStv channels at no subscription cost to DStv Premium subscribers. All other subscribers pay R49 per month.

DStv Mobile coverage is currently available in 10 South African cities: Johannesburg (including Soweto), Pretoria, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Polokwane, East London, Mbombela, Rustenburg, Bloemfontein and Durban.

REVIEW. DStv Mobile's Walka 7 is a great handheld 'travel version' of DStv; men, kids and frequent travellers will love this TV tablet.

There's a bit of Apple inside MultiChoice and it resides within the DStv Mobile division. It's latest portable (now tablet size) handheld television, the Walka 7 is an amazing and wonderful gadget.

If you buy one for yourself, or buy one as a gift for someone for whom television or sport watching is an important leisure time activity, I can guarantee you that you won't be wasting your money and that you will enjoy this gadget which will definitely further enhance your TV watching reach and enjoyment.

Disclaimer first, DStv Mobile contacted me to courier over a new Walka 7 device (unsolicited) as a demo model in October, so I'm not paying for it in order to test it, similar to all the rest of the press who were sent the device.

After just over a month of exhaustively using and testing the Walka 7 - also giving it to various different people and friends to play with and use for a few days each over a period of several weeks - I can fully report that the Walka 7 is a winner: people I gave it to are unanimously surprised by it, they love it, they used it daily (mostly watched in bed at night) and feel regret about having to part with it.

The Walka 7 which has a 7 inch screen and much better audio (two 1.5W speakers) than the previous Walka model has much better sound. Of course its not Dolby 5.1 surround sound, but keep in mind that it's a "bridging device" for people who want to watch television when they can't do so on their regular television - crystal HD imaging and surround sound isn't the aim here. (You can also plug in earphones).

Techies might gripe about screen resolution and wanting this and that and that.

For ordinary consumers and TV viewers the Walka 7 is a wonderful device. I saw for myself the faces of bored kids I gave this to at airports and the Wimpy (and their wide-eyed parents), the gratefulness of people at weddings feeling trapped and thinking they're missing sport, and people without DStv who felt happy that they could sample at least some of DStv's TV fare for a while.

The M-Net, M-Net Series, SuperSport channels, Disney and Discovery were/are the favourite most tuned-to channels on the Walka 7 from my anecdotal evidence. Basically nobody used the stand which comes with a 45 or 60 degree groove. People want to hold it, or create their own angle with a book or on their lap.

The battery life of the Walka 7 is much improved and gives 5 hours of viewing time. It comes with a mini USB cable and two prong plug for charging.

The Walka 7 feels heavier than what you expect it to be, but it actually grows on you. It feels solid and sturdy, and on your lap in the car or bus or on a table it doesn't feel flimsy. It was easy to activate the Walka 7 with a call to the MultiChoice call centre (the on hold part as the minutes tick by is the  most painful it will get).

The Walka 7 has a better menu display and comes with 4 different aspect ratio settings. It has a pull out aerial although I watch without it sticking out just fine.

The Walka 7 retails for R900, then has a R49 monthly subscription fee (if you're a DStv Premium subscriber its free).

If you're busy with normal day-to-day grind stuff (having car tyres changed, waiting at a sports field or school for the kids to finish, at a restaurant with unruly kids), driving with passengers or going on holiday somewhere and its within the nine cities' reception area of DStv Mobile's current coverage (and its not a holiday for the purpose of wanting to watch television), the Walka 7 is a great way to keep somewhat in touch with adequate television.

The Walka 7 is a great handheld "travel version" of DStv to take with you. Especially men and kids will really like it; they will really use it. People who travel, or travel a lot - especially men - will really pack it as part of their manbag.

Walka 7 handheld portable TV device with a 7 inch screen unveiled by DStv Mobile; going on sale for R900 from October.

DStv Mobile, the mobile television division of pay-TV platform MultiChoice, has unveiled its new Walka 7, its latest amazing-looking handheld portable TV device with a seven inch screen.

It will go on sale from October at at cost of R900 and will be available from MultiChoice centres and certain retailers. The Walka 7 comes with a mini USB cable for charging the battery, a USB charger, a stand and of course a much bigger screen than the DStv Walka.

Coverage for the device to work and for a user to see DStv television is within the nine major cities of South Africa. DStv Premium subscribers who buy a Walka 7 (similar to the DStv Walka) receive TV for free on the device on their existing DStv account.

Like Apple, DStv Mobile can basically do no wrong as a massive and ever increasing number of South African consumers are falling in love with handheld and digital devices.

Once again the unveiling of the Walka 7 as the commercial Christmas retail period starts from Monday, is priming and placing DStv Mobile in the perfect position with this new handheld TV device to cash in on consumers who like functional gadgets with a good value proposition.

"The massive growth in new technologies seen both locally and across Africa has shown consumers' readiness and appetite for innovative intuitive devices like the Walka 7," says Mark Rayner, the CEO of DStv Mobile in a press statement issued a day after Wednesday's Johannesburg launch event. DStv Mobile is punting the device as having "a larger screen and improved battery life".

The Walka 7 which follows the Walka, Drifta, Drifta USB and the recently unveiled iDrifta, also comes with an antenna that can be extended vertically to improve reception.

DStv Mobile adds TBN, MK and Koowee TV channels to its 3G mobile television offering.

DStv Mobile added 3 further TV channels to the pay TV operator's mobile television offering on 3G since Thursday.

The Christian channel TBN, the music channel MK and the preschool kids channel Koowee (MK and Koowee are both kykNET produced channels) have been added since the beginning of March to bring the total  number of channels to 14.

''We are happy to welcome TBN, MK and Koowee to the DStv Mobile stable; we do our utmost to make our products appeal to a wide audience and adding these channels is an indication of our commitment,'' says Mark Rayner, the CEO of DStv Mobile in a statement.

Mark Rayner takes over as the new CEO of DStv Mobile from Francois Theron with immediate effect.

Mark Rayner is the new CEO of DStv Mobile, says MultiChoice.

Mark Rayner who've been the general manager of DStv Mobile, MultiChoice's division responsible for its content offering on cellphones, will become the new CEO and with immediate effect, says MultiChoice.

Mark Rayner takes over from Francois Theron who've been the CEO at DStv Mobile, but is replacing Rudi Jansen as MWeb CEO.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS. DStv Walka device is light-weight, feels cool; and a compact square of television you can carry in your pocket.

Last month on a specially guided tour inside MultiChoice in Randburg, I was allowed to see one and actually touch one - the new DStv Walka that's on sale from the beginning of December.

Touching this nifty new device - a separate, light-weight,  actual little TV screen that's portable and on which you can watch the DStv Mobile TV channels - gave me the same kind of feeling as when you hold an iPad or other flattish-paddish device: you kind of feel so ''content-controlling''. You really feel that you have ''TV on the go'' with a thin, light-weight and compact square of television you can carry around on your pocket.

The DStv Walka is very light, nice and compact, the screen could be bigger but there's probably reasons for it, and the screen nice and bright. I only had a minute with it, but my first impressions of the DStv Walka device was that it's very, very cool. Also it's plug and play so no installations and stuffs are necessary. I can see this device doing very well and probably surpassing DStv Drifta sales.

You can put the thing in your pocket like a cellphone and take it to the wedding, or the shopping mall, watch while you're waiting for your food at the reataurant, or have kids watch it in the car while you drive - if you're in a city and DStv Mobile's reception and coverage area the DStv Walka is definitely now the best of the DStv Mobile devices to have with you if you want to make sure you get the sport or the news or something you can see on one of the available channels but have to leave your house.

I asked a few questions about the DStv Walka. The DStv Walka is produced by the same place making the DStv Drifta devices for MultiChoice and DStv Mobile - Valups in South Korea (did I mention how remarkably light-weight the thing feels?).

With a full charge the battery of the DStv Walka will last you 3,5 hours - of course chargeable by USB as well.

''The Walka is unique in that no connection is required to other devices to view,'' DStv Mobile tells me. ''We hope it will increase usability of DStv Mobile as the Walka is a dedicated device. Its an easy to use device, it can fit into anybody's lifestyle, it appeals to a wider range of people because of no additional device being required. With the Drifta and Drifta USB other devices are required to view and this may pose as a limitation to certain potential customers. With the Walka TV, this is not the case, once the device is activated, viewing can begin right away.

I also asked about the screen size and how that was decided upon. ''A 3.5'' screen is large enough for a an enhanced mobile TV viewing experience and comfortable enough to be portable,'' says DStv Mobile, telling me that the company decided on this version because its easiest to use.

AfricaCast 2011: A growing demand for services from pay TV operators in Africa, as consumers want content on a specific device when they want it.

When it comes to pay television in Africa, consumers and subscribers are becoming more discerning when it comes to real value-added services (or so-called VAS).

That means that pay TV operators in Africa will increasingly have to meet the customer and subscriber not just where they're at - but on the device they're at.

''There is a growing demand for those real value-added services and the expectation will become that consumers as we know, want what content they want on a specific device that suit them, through whatever distribution mechanism to satisfy that need through connected services.'' So says Chris Oberholzer, the head of strategy and development at the South African satellite broadcaster MultiChoice. He was speaking today at the AfricaCast 2011 TV summit that kicked off today in Cape Town as part of the 14th AfricaCom conference.

''We need to serve them [subscribers] with the right stuff on the specific platforms that they want to consume it,'' he said. ''The use of these hybrid or blended solutions is the way to offer these comprehensive services. This is not going to be an 'either or' world. We see it very much as a complimentary environment.''

''So what is our strategy for an increasingly convergent environment? We believe that we need to be available on multiple platforms to serve the customer's needs wherever they are. DStv Mobile has been very successful in launching the DVB-H product and the mobile product - not only for handsets but also the DStv Drifta. We need to service the customer's needs with a seamless operation so that the customer and subscriber don't have to search [elsewhere] for compelling content,'' said Chris Oberholzer.

Limited version of the M-Net channel that excludes movies added to DStv Mobile and the DStv Drifta device from 1 November.

A truncated and reduced version of the M-Net channel (DStv 101) will be added to DStv Mobile and the DStv Drifta device from 1 November with the programming M-Net considers to be its prime time line-up - but excluding movies - that will be looped for 8 and a half hours per day as an M-Net Mobile TV channel.

The M-Net channel will join other mobile versions of channels such as E! Entertainment and The Cartoon Network on DStv Mobile which are not (yet) running full mirror versions but truncated programming while licencing rights are slowly but surely being negotiated with content providers.

The M-Net channel on DStv Mobile will start on 1 November and run between 14:00 and 22:30 daily and be the prime time TV shows seen on M-Net on DStv and that constitute the channel's ''prime time'' block. M-Net today didn't respond to media enquiries regarding what constitutes its prime time hours and which would give an indication of what shows subscribers would be able to watch.

The M-Net Mobile channel will not include movies since DStv has not (yet) had luck in clearing film rights for cellphones as a new platform in South Africa. ''M-Net is thrilled to be able to bring the Magic to subscribers on yet another exciting and enterprising platform,'' said Mpeo Makape, M-Net's new marketing manager in a press statement.

''Consumers have expressed great interest in having the channel on DStv Mobile and acquiring it is a notable occasion,'' said Motheo Matsau, DStv Mobile's head of sales and marketing in the same statement.

BREAKING. M-Net Series channel added to DStv Mobile's DVB-H bouquet; launches new DStv Mobile Drifta USB device.

Shhh. Don't tell. DStv Mobile launched a nifty upgrade today but nobody knows - a very cool DStv Mobile Drifta USB that functions as a portable TV decoder allowing DStv subscribers to watch DVB-H broadcast mobile television on computers and laptops. The M-Net Series (DStv 110) was also added to the available DStv Mobile bouquet to further enhance the service.

ALSO READ: All about DStv's new Drifta decoder when it launched in November 2010.

Like the original and quite revolutionary Drifta device launched by MultiChoice in November 2010 the Drifta Mobile Drifta USA is easy to install and activate and connects directly to a personal computer or laptop through a USB port and doesn't need Wi-Fi.

''The same great channels are available,''says Mark Rayner, general manager: DStv Mobile South Africa - now with M-Net Series added.

''Consumer feedback has shown us that M-Net Series is a highly desired channel for mobile consumption and we're glad that we were able to secure it for our mobile viewers,'' says Aletta Alberts, general manager of DStv content.

''The Drifta USB has been launched to address the needs of customers who primarily want to use their PCs and laptops for viewing,'' says Mark Rainer. ''Based on the positive response we received from the Drifta, we wanted to come up with something more affordable and exclusive to devices with USB ports.''

The new DStv Mobile Drifta USB has a recommeded retail price of R399 and the monthly subscription cost is R36. The service is available for free to DStv Premium subscribers. The DStv Mobile Drifta USB has a signal strength indicator and an antenna that can be extended and positioned vertically to improve reception where necessary. There is also a smartcard embedded inside the device, so that no additional card has to be inserted – it automatically connects to the laptop or PC it is plugged into.

Remarkable DStv Mobile service continues its channel roll-out; will add E! Entertainment, CNNi and Sony Max from April.

The innovative and excellent DStv MOBILE that becomes a pay service from 1 April is continuing its channel roll-out and will be adding CNNi, E! Entertainment and Sony Max as three new TV channels from April.

CNNi, E! Entertainment and Sony Max will join the 9 existing channels - eNews Channel, Channel O, Africa Magic, Cartoon Network, Trace Urban, SuperSport 1, SuperSport 2, SuperSport 3 and SuperSport Blitz - that was introduced in November last year.

The incredibly impressive and user friendly DStv MOBILE service that will cost R36 from April, allows users to watch these DStv TV channels on a DVB-H enabled cellphone or through MultiChoice's astoundingly nifty mobile TV decoder, the Drifta.

This progressive new DStv service is furthering MultiChoice's ''platform agnostic'' mantra with the pay TV operator that wants to be available on all platforms and screens irrespective of what device a DStv subscriber might use. DStv MOBILE's Drifta device currently has limited reception and is only for large metropolitan areas, but this is being expanded.

The Drifta decoder that works with WiFi connects to laptops, PC's, tablets and smartphones, iOS devices such as iPhones and iPods. Blackberry OS, Symbian 3 and Android applications are currently in development.

''We have seen strong demand for more general entertainment [on DStv MOBILE],'' says Aletta Alberts, MultiChoice's head of content regarding the decision to add the 3 additional channels, saying that the ''sports channels have proved to be very popular.''

''A key driver of mobile television is the availability of suitable content for on-the-go consumption and we believe our improved bouquet is a step forward in this regard,'' says Mark Rayner, general manager of DStv MOBILE South Africa.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice delights with a truly great new gadget for true mobile television in South Africa.

ADVISORY. DStv Mobile users in Durban are going to be without a signal for two days later in January.

I can tell you that because of maintenance of DStv Mobile sites in Durban, DStv Mobile users in Durban are not going to have any signal for two days sometime during the period of 17 to 31 January when they're close to one of these affected sites.

DStv will be doing maintenance for a maximum of two days at each broadcast site during which DStv Mobile subscribers near this site will lose their signal and not be able to access DStv Mobile.

BREAKING. DStv Mobile's new Drifta decoder and mobile television extender device sold out after just one day.

You're reading it here first.

It's not official and I have no official word on it from DStv Mobile, but it seems as if the new Drifta decoder, the new MultiChoice mobile television extender device that went on sale yesterday, has sold out.

When I called the MultiChoice switchboard to have a Drifta decoder activated I was met with surprise. ''How can you have a Drifta decoder?'' the switchboard operator asked me this afternoon, one day after the fascinating device went on sale yesterday at R599. ''You can't have a Drifta device. They're all sold out,'' I was told.

Well, I do have one and what the Drifta decoder does, is that it enables mobile television broadcasts on your other devices from iPads and iPods to your laptop, Apple Mac and PC. A DStv Mobile source told me that whether the new Drifta stock (its manufactured in Korea) is sold out or not, a new batch  of Drifta devices will be in South Africa ''within a day or two''.

ALSO READ: Where does the name come from? Where is it made? All you want to know about DStv's new Drifta decoder.
ALSO READ: All the basics about DStv's new Drifta decoder.

EXCLUSIVE. Where does the name come from? Where is it made? All you want to know about DStv Mobile's new Drifta decoder.

You're reading it here first.

I'm first with all the exclusive have-to-know details about DStv Mobile's great new gadget - the Drifta decoder - to enable mobile television broadcasts on your other devices from iPads and iPods to your laptop, Apple Mac and PC.

(For more on the Drifta decoder and the basics of what it is, read my earlier story HERE.)

Here is what I can tell you first about about DStv Mobile's new Drifta decoder that will go on sale from December after I reached out to DStv Mobile for some answers to specific questions late last night.

First off theThe Drifta is manufactured in Korea. DStv Mobile doesn't want to give me a specific product order but says ''initially the order will be limited as we want to test the market and gauge interest. As the interest and demand grows, so will the number of devices that we bring into the country.''

I asked where the name of the Drifta decoder comes from  and who thought of it. DStv Mobile tells me the naming of the device was done ''by our creative team''. ''Mobility was the strong motivator. It plays into the concept of 'wherever you are whatever you are doing'. The product does not only allow the user to 'drift' across content genres, it also allows them to 'drift between devices. The name had to be both a noun and a verb to allow people to describe what they are doing,'' says DStv Mobile.

But why did DStv Mobile decide to launch the Drifta as well in conjunction with starting DVB-H broadcasting on cellphones? Why a separate gadget? ''Initially the number of DVB-H enabled cellphones in the market will be limited as it will take time for manufactures to bring more enabled phones into the market,'' says DStv Mobile. ''The motivation for introducing the Drifta decoder is to make DStv Mobile accessible to a wider audience and to give consumers a choice on how to access the service.''

ALSO READ: Exclusive first look at DStv Mobile's great new gadget - the Drifta decoder!
ALSO READ: All the basics about DStv Mobile's new Drifta decoder for mobile television broadcasts on other devices.

EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK! DStv Mobile's new Drifta decoder for mobile television broadcasts on other devices!

You're seeing it here first.

Ta-da! I can be first to give you the exclusive first look at the brand-new Drifta decoder of DStv Mobile that will be on sale from December and that will make it possible to watch television (only certain TV channels initially) on anything from your laptop to your iPad, iPod, PC and Apple Mac.

The nifty gadget, looks very much like a cellphone, with a little radio antenna and is small enough to fit into a Christmas stocking. Perfect since the Drifta decoder will go on sale from December for R599.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice Mobile delights with the new Drifta decoder for mobile television broadcasts on other devices.
ALSO READ: Where does the name come from? Where is it made? All you want to know about DStv Mobile's new Drifta decoder.

TOLDJA! DStv Mobile and e.Mobile unveil the first true mobile television broadcasting service on cellphones in South Africa.

You're reading it here first.


Well, exactly as I broke the news RIGHT HERE last week about DStv and e.tv announcing a brand-new DVB-H mobile television service - one that will be free for a while, MultiChoice and e.tv did exactly everything I told you is coming.

Exactly as I was first to spill, MultiChoice's DStv and e.tv has partnered up offering (just as I said) sport channels, the Cartoon Network, Africa Magic, Channel O and the eNews Channel to name a few that I've already revealed last week. The frequency spectrum allocated to mobile broadcasting currently enables 15 channels via DVB-H technology and more channels will be added by e.tv and DStv Mobile to their offerings over time. (The only bit that i DIDN'T know was this little bit, that's actually interesting by itself.)

It will be free immediately until March 2011 as I've said, and will then cost R36 per month on DVB-H enabled cellphones from 1 April 2011. Network coverage is available in the major centres of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Soweto, CapeTown, Port Elizabeth, Polokwane, Mbombela, Rustenburg, Bloemfontein and Durban.

''The technology and business models are still evolving globally and it will take many years to see any returns on this investment,'' says Imtiaz Patel, CEO of MultiChoice SA. The company has spent a lot of money and made huge investments over the past few years in mobile television while the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) dragged its feet in drafting regulations and issueing mobile TV licences.

''The Digital Video Broadcast Handheld (DVB-H) technology rolled out by MultiChoice for broadcast Mobile TV in South Africa offers excellent digital sound and picture quality whilst making efficient use of the allocated spectrum,'' says Mark Rayner, the general manager of DStv Mobile in a press statement.

''This is only the start of e.tv's mobile broadcast services,'' says Bronwyn Keene-Young, e.tv's group chief operating officer in a separate, simultaneously released press statement. ''The launch of e.Mobile TV in South Africa makes our channels accessible to our viewers at times when they normally would not be able to watch TV.''

According to the broadcaster, e.tv as a TV channel will be made available on the mobile platform in due course. ''e.tv is committed to providing its services anywhere at anytime.  Technology such as mobile broadcasting offers our industry new opportunities all the time and our viewers more choice,'' says Bronwyn Keene-Young.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice delights with a great new gadget for true mobile television in South Africa: say hello to the Drifta decoder.
ALSO READ: MultiChoice and e.tv set to launch first true (and free) mobile television for cellphones in South Africa.

BREAKING. MultiChoice delights with a great new gadget for true mobile television in South Africa: say hello to the Drifta decoder.

Well, well, well. I'm wonderfully impressed (and I really mean it). So it seems that the South African TV industry does still have secrets. Awesome secrets that it can keep and keep very well - ones that even I don't know about.

Like a secret episode of Oprah's Favourite Things, MultiChoice and DStv Mobile kept it's new mobile television decoder super hush hush. Just like Apple with the iPod and then the iPad; but just with television. Not a single person blabbed, not one source told me anything, I never heard the word before a few hours ago when I read it in a press release and it's all just really . . . remarkable! (Or maybe I'm just getting old and slipping.)

DStv Mobile can be accessed on a DVB-H enabled cellphone or via MultiChoice’s newly introduced mobile TV decoder, the Drifta.

Announcing its new true mobile television service in South Africa for DVB-H enabled cellphones, DStv Mobile stunned (since I thought I knew everything about today's announcement which I already spilled last week RIGHT HERE) with the little bit of big news: a mobile TV decoder called Drifta. Here's everything about the Drifta that I know for now, more information about it hopefully tomorrow.

The Drifta will be sold at all major retailers from 1 December and it will cost R599. You'll be able to activate the Drifta through the MultiChoice call centre or the DStv Mobile website. The Drifta is a separate device (not even I know how it looks yet - crazy!) that receives the DStv Mobile broadcast signal and relays it over WiFi to a range of WiFi-capable laptops, PC's, tablets and smartphones.

That means that you'll be able to watch Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding on 29 April 2011 on the eNews Channel right on your iPod, iPad, iPhone, laptop or whatever next year! (The Drifta supports Windows and iOS devices such as the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, while Blackberry OS, Symbian 3 and Android applications are in development.)

ALSO READ: Where does the name come from? Where is it made? All you want to know about DStv Mobile's new Drifta decoder.

BREAKING. MultiChoice, e.tv to partner up, will launch free and first true mobile TV service from December through DStv Mobile.

You're reading it here first.

I can exclusively reveal that after years of testing and forced to tread water in regulatory purgatory, MultiChoice through DStv Mobile will officially launch its proper DVB-H mobile television service - a true television broadcast service on cellphone handsets equipped with DVB-H - from December and that it will happen in conjunction with e.tv and will initially be a free service. The launch announcement will be made just before the end of November.

According to sources DStv Mobile's brand new DVB-H broadcasts that will include TV channels such as e.tv's eNews Channel (DStv 403) and e.tv will be free for a few months - at least until the end of March - from the official launch that is currently scheduled for December. An official announcement is coming at the end of November. I'm told a lot of sport through the SuperSport brand will also be included to help with the uptake of this new service under cellphone users. This new mobile TV service by DStv Mobile shouldn't be confused with the current crop of 3G cellphone TV services that South Africans have had access to up til now and which isn't ''true'' broadcasts to cellphones but rather dependent on cellular networks transmissions.

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) finally - after years of dragging its feet with drafting and licensing true mobile television in South Africa - awarded mobile television licenses to MultiChoice and e.tv in September. Both are now ready to roll out their TV content on cellphones to South Africans ushering in a brand-new era of true mobile television broadcasting in the country. Both are working together in making content available, I'm told. Initially a limited number of South Africans will be able to make use of the free service (for which cellphone users will still have to register, according to sources) since DVB-H enabled cellphone handsets are still limited in South Africa. With the introduction of this first true cellphone broadcast service and technology in South Africa, the expectation is however that over time handsets will now evolve to incorporate DVB-H enabled technology as well.

My understanding is that MultiChoice will start to charge for this new DStv Mobile offering only after a few months into 2011. As I'm told, music channels like Trace (DStv 325), Channel O (DStv 320), The Cartoon Network (DStv 301), Africa Magic (DStv 114), sport channels and several others will be available at launch from DStv Mobile. After asking e.tv about this, the broadcaster is only willing to officially say ''e.tv will be making an announcement on this shortly''.

ALSO READ: Icasa finally grants MultiChoice and e.tv both DVB-H mobile television licenses.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice responds to being awarded a DVB-H mobile television license: ''We'll expand on this investment.''