One Year Later: MultiChoice's no-show DStv Streama vapourware.

by Thinus Ferreira

On 19 August 2020, MultiChoice announced that it's launching a new DStv Streama decoder soon - but exactly a year later on 19 August 2021 and after getting free corporate publicity in the press, it has become vapourware, with the DStv Streama that is nowhere in sight, never launched and hasn't been spoken of again.

On 19 August last year, to coincide with its 2020 MultiChoice Content Showcase for the media in South Africa, MultiChoice announced that it's launching the expensive new DStv Explora Ultra decoder.

The DStv Explora Ultra decoder did go to market as a real product although consumers complained about the price since MultiChoice decided not to subside the cost like with its other decoder series.

MultiChoice however also announced that it's launching the new DStv Streama, a set-top box was supposedly to allow DStv subscribers to watch content from streaming services like Showmax, YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and others by way of an internet connection through Wi-Fi or an ethernet cable.

"The DStv Streama offers all of the best content customers have come to enjoy, including an array of sport, entertainment, news and kids' content," MultiChoice said. "With the Streama's selection of applications such as Showmax and YouTube, it presents all your viewing options in one place."

With the DStv Streama, subscribers would have been able to "seamlessly switch between applications like DStv, Showmax, and YouTube" according to the company.

A year later the mythical DStv Streama has now become what the industry calls "vapourware": A product, usually computer hardware that includes set-top boxes, that is announced publicly by companies but that is late, or that is never actually manufactured or launched to consumers, and that damages companies' credibility.

Sbu Mpungose, MultiChoice spokesperson, told TVwithThinus in response to a media query asking what happened to the DStv Streama decoder and why it didn't launch that "At its annual media showcase last year, MultiChoice shared its future product plans which included the DStv Streama and the DStv Explora Ultra".

"The DStv Explora Ultra has already launched and the DStv Streama is scheduled for launch this year. All details about this exciting new product will be shared when It launches."

FIRST LOOK. MultiChoice to unveil its new DStv Explora Ultra decoder, will also launch a new DStv Streama decoder with remote control that has YouTube and Showmax buttons.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice plans to launch a new DStv Explora Ultra decoder to market, as well as a DStv Streama decoder enabling video streaming and coming with a YouTube and Showmax buttons.

MultiChoice will unveil the two new decoders aimed at keeping DStv subscribers venturing into video streaming within its own MultiChoice ecosystem this afternoon during its 2020 DStv Showcase media presentation for the press.

To help hype its 2020 #DStvShowcase media presentation that will kick off at 13:00 on Wednesday afternoon, MultiChoice on social media shared with the public images of its new DStv Explora Ultra and DStv Streama decoders.

MultiChoice's new DStv Explora Ultra that looks like a bigger set-top box (STB) with curved edges, will carry third-party subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) apps, like for instance Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, enabling DStv subscribers to watch these services through the connected decoder.

MultiChoice's DStv Streama decoder, with a grill-like, video-console look, has a small remote control with Showmax and YouTube buttons underneath a blue "home" button.


DStv Explora Ultra
MultiChoice didn't announce a retail price for the new DStv Explora Ultra, or when it will go on sale although it will cost more than the existing DStv Explora 3A.

Similar to the DStv Explora 3A, the DStv Explora Ultra has a recording capacity of 110 hours, will be able to pause live TV for 2 hours, have access to DStv BoxOffice, DStv Catch Up, provide an 8-day TV guide, have parental control and have interactive apps of SuperSport, News24 and weather.

The DStv Explora Ultra comes with a new "home page" with recommendations that showcase content from across DStv, Showmax, BoxOffice and selected streaming apps. 

The new DStv Explora Ultra remote control also allows quick access to streaming apps and the set-top box comes with built-in WiFi.

The DStv Explora Ultra supports 4K and Dolby Atmos (where available and when connected to the correct equipment) although MultiChoice doesn't plan on launching any 4K-resolution TV channels anytime soon. 

MultiChoice is also not planning on delivering any of the third-party app content through satellite. All of the streaming services that MultiChoice might add in future - for instance Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Star, Amazon Prime Video - will all be delivered over the internet through connecting the DStv Explora Ultra to the internet and a data stream.

Since certain third-party apps that will in future become available on the DStv Explora Ultra offer 4K streaming content - subject to availability and subscription terms - DStv subscribers will be able to watch that content in 4K. 

MultiChoice says that it does not yet offer 4K streaming, though this may change in the future.

MultiChoice also says that subscriptions to these third-party apps - whichever they might be - are separate to DStv subscriptions. Some services like SuperSport and People’s Weather will initially be included in the DStv subscription and MultiChoice may later roll out offers that allow a customer to get a discount or special offer on some of these third-party subscriptions.

The DStv Explora Ultra is wholly manufactured in South Africa and its enclosure is made of 100% recycled material.

The DStv Explora Ultra will cost more than the existing DStv Explora. DStv subscribers moving from an existing DStv Explora model will not need to make any changes to their installation. 

MultiChoice says they can simply unplug the older Explora then plug in the DStv Explora Ultra (making sure to use the HDMI cable and power supply packaged with the decoder) and follow the wizard to connect the WiFi.


DStv Streama
MultiChoice didn't announce a retail price for the new DStv Streama or when it will go on sale.

MultiChoice says that its new DStv Streama decoder works without a satellite dish and its associated cabling and all that is needed is a reliable home internet connection, a DStv Streama device and a TV set.

The DStv Streama offers an array of sport, entertainment, news and kids' content. 

The DStv Streama comes with apps like Showmax and YouTube and users will be able to "seamlessly switch between applications to view the content of your choice".

 The DStv Streama can be connected through home WiFi or an ethernet cable, and an HDMI input connection on a TV set.

DStv subscribers will be able to stream all the channels available on their DStv subscription as well as access the Catch Up content for those channels. MultiChoice says that when using the DStv Streama, it counts as one of the four devices for use with the DStv App.

The DStv Streama is built on top of the RDK platform. This is an operator tier platform, designed and built by a collective of TV operators (including Sky and Comcast). Its secure environment protects content rights holders, which are key to the pay-TV and OTT industry.

MultiChoice says that RDK was selected because it enables it to deliver the best entertainment experience for customers whilst enabling flexibility and security.

People won't need to be a DStv subscriber to use the DStv Streama but will need a DStv login. No active DStv subscription is required to use the DStv Streama.