GLOW TV CARRIAGE FIGHT. NisMedia says it's taking eMedia's Openview to court following abrupt removal of Glow TV from the satellite TV service; claims it has a channel carriage agreement until February 2023.

by Thinus Ferreira

The NisMedia Group and Glow TV says that it is taking eMedia's Openview satellite TV service to court following an apparently acrimonious behind-the-scenes dispute and channel carriage conflict that became public after Openview abruptly removed the channel from its platform on 1 October.

Openview gave its customers no warning about the sudden and unexpected removal of Glow TV, angering a large group of Openview viewers who publicly vented about Glow TV's abrupt removal and slammed Openview over both the channel's removal and Openview's lack of communication or any prior warning about it. 

The same thing happened in August 2020 when Openview replaced BBC World News with France24 without warning and without communicating to viewers.

Openview didn't publicly explain any of the reasons that led to Glow TV's removal but said publicly on Friday on its Facebook page that its partnership with Glow TV "has come to an end". 

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".

Glow TV, that remains available on China's StarTimes satellite pay-TV platform and that operates under the StarSat brand in South Africa, said that the unavailability of the channel on Openview's platform is due to a "technical problem" and that it's trying to resolve the problem. 

Glow TV claims that it has an agreement to remain on the Openview service until at least February 2023.

Glow TV is run by CEO Nazeer Noormohamed who is also the CEO of the NisMedia Group. 

"Glow TV was removed from Openview from Friday 1 October, despite us having a binding agreement til February 2023," Glow TV said on Saturday in a public statement attributed to Glow TV management.

"Unfortunately, all avenues to resolve the matter amicably have failed. Thus, we have no option but to go the legal route and the matter will be heard in the High Court in two weeks time, on an urgent basis."

"We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused to you, our loyal viewers and ask that you bear with us until then."

Glow TV said that "We trust that we will see you soon on the platform again" and that "we hope with your prayers and wishes we will be successful in our court application".

"We assure our loyal viewers that all content missed during this period will be repeated for your convenience. Remember that Glow TV is still available on the StarSat platform and on the StarSat app for subscribers."

Very upset Openview viewers

A large number of Glow TV viewers responded to this statement from Glow TV over the weekend, saying they want Glow TV back, and slamming Openview for the decision to remove the channel, as well as not communicating about its removal beforehand.

The outpouring of comments from angry and upset Openview viewers show a high-engagement level and affinity that a lot of Glow TV viewers have for this particular TV channel that shows Indian-inspired content and telenovelas.

"I really hope you win in court as Glow TV is the most-watched channel in my family," said Neervashnee Rampersad.

Simone Ramsamy said "The only reason I own Openview is I was following Glow TV".

Jenal Macky said "Thank you for the update Glow TV as we couldn't get answers from Openview themselves, we pray that you guys win the case because Openview has really let many of us down especially with their lies and inconsideration for many of us who changed from DStv to Openview. They really don't appreciate and value their customers. Sad."

Onneile Wilson said "Glow TV is the reason I subscribed to Openview. They are selfish and irresponsible".

The Openview viewer Chrisna Jansen said that she doesn't care about the politics. "All I want is Glow TV back. I switched off DStv because of Glow TV and will do so with Openview".

Kershree Pillay remarked that "Many people buy Openview just for Glow TV as it is not on the DStv packages. Openview is constantly removing channels that we enjoy and are replacing it with unnecessary channels. Very soon people won't even buy Openview anymore".

Mamie Ngoy said "It's about time that we throw away their decoder just like we did with DStv. Openview doesn't care about us at all. They take out channels that are important to us without hesitation".

Sithembiso Khanyase said "I think you need to focus your energy into making your channel to be more inclusive so you can gain more audience. Service providers should be fighting to keep your channel on their platform, not the other way around".

Sudesh Sookdew said "So Openview advertises that states 'free for life' which means free for them to do whatever they want and not the viewers. Very disappointing".

Natasha Ramsamy asked: "What can the viewers do to convince the judge that the public needs Glow TV?" and Mala Khan said "Was very disappointed on Friday when I put that channel on and there was nothing. Been watching for many years".

Mia Joao said "I changed from DStv to Openview because of Glow TV. They removed it on DStv and I went to Openview. Seems like now I have to go back, plus Openview has nothing on it, just Star Life and e.tv which only repeats movies and shows".

"Absolutely ridiculous from Openview," said Niran Reddy. "I only bought the decoder as my daughter watches Glow TV".

ALSO READ: Glow TV suddenly gone from eMedia's Openview without explanation as angry viewers vent, Glow TV management 'trying to resolve the problem'.

As the DStv contract termination dispute over Glow TV grows, the Nismedia Group takes MultiChoice to court while MultiChoice remains adamant that it's dumping the Indian entertainment channel at the end of March.

More information is coming out about the ugly DStv contract termination dispute over the Indian entertainment channel, Glow TV (DStv 167 / OpenView HD 140 / StarSat 570) that MultiChoice decided to dump at the end of March, with the Nismedia Group that has gone to court to try and stop MultiChoice from axing the channel.

At the beginning of March TVwithThinus reported that MultiChoice is dumping Glow TV at the end of March.

Glow TV that was started and run by Kagiso Media and that launched in October 2013, has been taken over and is now owned by the Nismedia Group that took it over in July 2016, with Urban Brew Studios helping with managing some aspects of the channel.

MultiChoice says it's contract with Glow TV is coming to an end. It's not clear why MultiChoice didn't want to renew the Glow TV contract.

Glow TV has been South Africa's first attempt at a free-to-air digital TV channel dedicated to Indian and Eastern inspired programming. The channel has been sourcing content from India, the United Kingdom, America and Brazil.

Meanwhile Glow TV viewers are outraged about MultiChoice's plan to dump Glow TV at the end of the month.

"I have always seen great potential in GlowTV and the need for Eastern-inspired content in Southern Africa," says Nazeer Noormohamed, the head of the Nismedia Group.

"Our entry from print into the television sector, gave Nismedia a new and exciting national and international footprint."

"DStv has claimed that they will not be renewing the contract with Glow TV at the end of March 2018. Following this, Glow TV launched an urgent application against MultiChoice in the Johannesburg High Court. The court outcome outlined that the dispute needs to be referred for arbitration, as per the terms of the Glow TV/DStv contract," says Nazeer Noormohamed.

"While MultiChoice attempted to obtain an order that the arbitration should be finalised by end-March, this was not the order of the court. Until the final outcome of the legal process is pronounced, we have been advised by our attorneys that MultiChoice is compelled to keep Glow TV on their platform," says Nazeer Noormohamed.

"We have received an influx of support from our loyal viewers regarding this matter, for which we are most thankful. We will continue to bring our viewers the best content that has them riveted to their seats".

Meanwhile MultiChoice remains adamant that Glow TV will get dumped at the end of the month.

In response to a media enquiry asking about MultiChoice's contract termination dispute with the Nismedia Group over Glow TV, MultiChoice told TVwithThinus that "Glow TV’s contract will come to an end in March and they will stop airing on DStv at the end of March 2018".

Indian channel Glow TV from the Nismedia Group going dark on DStv at the end of March as contract isn't renewed, Glow TV will remain on competitors StarSat and OpenView HD.

The Indian-focused channel Glow TV is going dark on MultiChoice DStv at the end of March but will remain available on competitors StarTimes Media SA's StarSat on channel 570 and on Platco Digital's OpenView HD on channel 108.

Glow TV that was started and run by Kagiso Media and that launched in October 2013, has been taken over and is now owned by the Nismedia Group that took it over in July 2016, with Urban Brew Studios helping with managing some aspects of the channel.

MultiChoice says it's contract with Glow TV is coming to an end. It's not clear why MultiChoice didn't want to renew the Glow TV contract.

Glow TV has been South Africa's first attempt at a free-to-air digital TV channel dedicated to Indian and Eastern inspired programming. The channel has been sourcing content from India, the United Kingdom, America and Brazil.

As with several channels where the programming offering of new content is too limited, Glow TV viewers have been complaining about too many repeats and too little new shows.

Glow TV saved from shutdown as Nismedia group takes over the Indian TV channel from Kagiso Media and tries to make a go at it.

The struggling Indian TV channel Glow TV is surprisingly continuing and won't shut down, although questions remain about its long-term future prospects.

The loss-making channel from Kagiso Media was set to shut down due to the bad South African economy, but in a press statement the Nismedia Group, based in Centurion, Johannesburg, announced on 30 June that it has taken over Glow TV and will continue broadcasting Glow TV on MultiChoice's DStv channel 167, Platco Digital's OpenView HD channel 108 and On Digital Media (ODM) and StarTimes Media SA's StarSat channel 570.

Glow TV, that caters to Indian viewers and launched with big fanfare in 2013, will continue with the existing programming that has been on the schedule.

GlowTV tells TVwithThinus that "for the month of July, content will be repeated while the new owner transition. Thereafter soapies will be replaced with either newer episodes or if it has reached end of life of the series then it will be replaced with a new soapie".

Kagiso Media and Urban Brew Studios that said Glow TV's shutdown is due to the bad economic climate in South Africa and the higher cost of programming, has given Glow TV to Nismedia that amongst others own a number of newspaper publications.

"I believe that Glow TV has great potential and can continue to impact positively on the South African market," says Nazeer Noormohamed, head of Nismedia group.

"We approached Urban Brew Studios to acquire the channel from them. Our entry into the television sector will offer Nismedia a new and exciting national and international footprint," says Nazeer Noormohamed.

"Our initial decision to discontinue the channel was not an easy one, so we're delighted that the loyal Glow viewers will still be able to watch their favourite entertainment channel and the shows they've come to love," says Trish Taylor, Urban Brew CEO.

It's not clear how Nismedia plans to make Glow TV work after Mark Harris, Kagiso Media group CEO said shutting down the loss-making Glow TV is in the best interest of Kagiso.