BREAKING. e.tv to launch its digital terrestrial television (DTT) service in April 2012; full commercial launch between July and September 2012.

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The free-to-air commercial South African broadcaster e.tv plans to launch its digital terrestrial television service in April 2012 - a soft launch, with a full commercial launch planned for between July 2012 and September 2012.

ALSO READ: e.tv plans to launch the commercial free-to-air broadcaster's DTT service and new TV channels within the first half of 2012.

''e.tv wishes to launch a digital terrestrial television (DTT) service within the next 9 to 12 months,'' Lara Kantor, senior e.tv executive told parliament's portfolio committee on communications. She said e.tv will join SABC with a soft DTT launch in April 2012, followed by a full commercial launch between July and September 2012 ''the date to be confirmed when we are more confident.''

We don't want to raise expectations yet again and not be able to fulfill those,'' Lara Kantor warned. ''Meeting those deadlines will require focus from e.tv and strong collaboration of industry and government. e.tv is committed to work with all other roleplayers to make sure our pans are aligned and that the free-to-air platform will be successful,'' she said.

''We are committed to launching DTT in 2012. We need leadership [from government and the regulator Icasa] to resolve those matters speedily,'' Lara Kantor implored.

ALSO READ: e.tv on digital terrestrial television (DTT) in South Africa: ''Our greatest challenge lies before us''; needs DTT ''for our own survival''.
ALSO READ: e.tv and M-Net seems to be fighting with each other the functionality of the free-to-air set top box control.
ALSO READ: e.tv on free-to-air set top box control: ''We do not have any direct benefit from this system. We appeal for finality on this matter.''

BREAKING. e.tv on free-to-air Set top box Control: 'We do not have any direct benefit from this system. We appeal for finality on this matter.'

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''We believe that there are just two major roadblocks standing in the way of a major digital terrestrial television (DTT) launch in 2012. Those are continuining delays on the decision on set top box control and the possible amendment of Icasa regulations,'' Lara Kantor, senior e.tv executive, told parliament's portfolio committee on communications.

''STB Control relates to the free-to-air set top box. e.tv was asked to work on that system so that government can achieve certain policy goals,'' Lara Kantor said. ''We certainly believe it will strengthen the free-to-air platform and in that regard we support it.''

''But we do not have any direct benefit from implementing this system as e.tv. But we are concerned that as long as there are objections to encryption, as long as there are debates on whether it's required, how much it will cost, and who should own it, we cannot finalise the free-to-air set top box standard,'' Lara Kantor said.

''As long as that standard is not finalised, manufacturers can't produce boxes and we cannot launch. The pay TV system can launch, because this does not impact directly on their box, but our hands are tied. We really appeal for finality on this matter.''


ALSO READ: e.tv and M-Net seems to be fighting with each other over functionality of the free-to-air set top box for digital terrestrial television (DTT).
ALSO READ: e.tv on digital terrestrial television (DTT) in South Africa: ''Our greatest challenge lies before us''; needs DTT ''for our own survival''.

BREAKING. e.tv on digital terrestrial television (DTT) in South Africa: 'Our greatest challenge lies before us'; needs DTT 'for our own survival'.

You're reading it here first.

South Africa's free-to-air commercial broadcaster e.tv told South Africa's parliament today that digital terrestrial television (DTT) is the greatest challenge the 13 year old broadcaster has ever faced and that the DTT platform, due to multiple delays,  has had its credibility damaged before it has even had a chance to launch.

''e.tv has had many challenges over its 13 years of existence, but we believe our greatest challenge lies before us - and that is the compulsory migration to DTT,'' Lara Kantor, senior e.tv executive told parliament's portfolio committee on communications today.

''South African DTT has already seen multiple delays since 2008 when we were first supposed to launch this service,'' Lara Kantor told parliament. ''There have been implications because of those delays''.

''The project has lost momentum and the platform has had its credibility damaged even before its had a change to launch and establish itself in the mind of consumers. The broadcasting environment in South Africa has become more competitive - especially in the area of pay TV which also has grown significantly and that will make it harder for the DTT platform to establish itself,'' Lara Kantor said.

''Three out of every four South Africans rely on free-to-air television. That means that three out of every four South Africans will need access to a free-to-air DTT set top box (STB) before analogue transmissions can be switched off. Given the growth that we've seen in the satellite market in the last few years, free-to-air broadcasters need DTT to succeed for our own future survival. We have an interest in ensuring that the platform is strong.''


ALSO READ: e.tv and M-Net seems to be fighting with each other over the encryption functionality of the free-to-air set top box control for digital terrestrial television (DTT).
ALSO READ: e.tv on free-to-air set top box control: ''We do not have any direct benefit from this system. We appeal for finality on this matter.''