The SABC says its SABC Encore channel on DStv wasn't axed over its failure to pay artists residuals but that MultiChoice in 2018 already decided to can the channel in 2020.

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African public broadcaster's SABC Encore channel on MultiChoice's DStv is going dark at the end of the month but its demise doesn't have to do with the SABC's alleged failure to properly pay artists residuals and repeat fees - the satellite pay-TV service already decided to kill off SABC Encore two years ago when it pulled the plug in 2018 during the last channel carriage renewal.

MultiChoice is getting rid of ITV's ITV Choice (DStv 123), AMC Networks International's Sundance TV (DStv 108) and SABC Encore (DStv 156) at the end of May with all three channels being removed after TV Mall was also taken away at the end of April from DStv subscribers in the latest DStv bouquet content culling.

The SABC has said that performers are being paid residuals for the rebroadcast of shows from the SABC archives on the rerun channel that has been packaged with library series for and carried on MultiChoice's DStv.

Yet artists and actor organisations have been vocal and insistent that they haven't been paid or shared in any of the millions of rand that MultiChoice has been paying the SABC for SABC Encore over the past half a decade.

SABC Encore launched in mid-May 2015 on DStv with big fanfare from the SABC and a bizarre SABC Encore launch event where the then SABC boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng ranted that "MultiChoice must pay" and that the "SABC is coming for pay-TV".

It's not yet clear whether SABC Encore will continue to run as a TV channel despite its removal from MultiChoice DStv and whether it might become a stand-alone digital terrestrial television (DTT) channel only.

MultiChoice says that its contract "with the SABC for SABC Encore will not be renewed – as agreed by both respective parties, as per their contract which included a non-renewal option."

On Tuesday night Madoda Mxakwe, SABC CEO, told parliament's portfolio committee on communications that the SABC already knew in 2018 that SABC Encore would not survive on DStv past 2020 and get axed.

The SABC is however looking to possibly continue SABC Encore as a channel on possible other platforms.

"The reason for SABC Encore being cancelled has nothing to do with royalties but it's because DStv indicated in the new agreement that we signed in 2018 that they would not extend it beyond a further 2 years which expires this year," Madoda Mxakwe said.

"We are exploring other venues in terms of continuing with that channel."

The home shopping channel TV Mall is toast on DStv as TV telesales experiment shuts down after 2 years.

by Thinus Ferreira

The TV Mall and MultiChoice telesales experiment is toast with the TV Mall channel that will go dark on DStv at the end of April after 2 years.

MultiChoice added the TV Mall channel to DStv in mid-2018 although DStv subscribers complained about the shoddy and low production values of the selling segments. 

"It has been wonderful to work with the TV Mall team, being the first African live shopping mall, they have been a true milestone in Africa’s broadcast industry," says Aletta Alberts, executive head of content strategy at the MultiChoice Group.

"MultiChoice remains committed to providing the best local and international content for its customers. We are proud and appreciative of our association with TV Mall and will continue to provide the most compelling and entertaining content for our customers."

The MultiChoice Group says that it constantly reviews its content and channel offering to ensure that the pay-TV operator give its customers local content that resonates with them at great value.

Despite "TV" in its name and no longer being on TV, TV Mall that will shut down on 30 April 2020 on DStv will apparently continue to sell stuff online.

Nicky Fintz, TV Mall CEO, says in a statement that "During this time, we need to understand the dynamics of the market we aim to please, and we’re cognisant of the state of the economy during this pandemic".

"With that said, it has been a pleasure to have had the opportunity of being on the DStv platform which enabled us to have a bigger footprint in South African homes."

MultiChoice adds home shopping TV channel, TV Mall, to its DStv service, infomercial channel promises to hawk products to viewers with 'a soft-selling approach'.

As expected, MultiChoice has added a home shopping TV channel, TV Mall (DStv 173), to its DStv satellite pay-TV platform, with the infomercial channel that promises to hawk products to DStv viewers with "a soft-selling approach".

TV Mall is available to DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus, DStv Compact, DStv Family, DStv Access and DStv EasyView subscribers since 1 June.

TV Mall has started broadcasting live for 6 hours a day, with the display-and-pay blocks that are repeated in-between. TVMall does a live broadcast on weekdays between 06:00 and 08:00, 12:00 and 14:00 and 20:30 and 22:30.

On weekends TVMall is broadcasting live between 06:00 and 12:00.

It's not clear whether MultiChoice is paying TV Mall for channel carriage, or whether TV Mall pays MultiChoice for the infomercial channel to be carried.

DStv viewers can buy products showcased on TV Mall online, through an app or a call centre, 24 hours per day.

"In a vibrant digital and retail market place, we provide our viewers with informative and honest representations so that they can make an informed shopping decision," says Nicky Fitz, TV Mall CEO.

"We are empowering our viewers with access to the world of shopping at their fingertips. DStv puts our mall into living rooms across South Africa and enables us to introduce a higher standard of information, fair-value and customer service. We strive to exceed expectations and to be a safe, easy and fun experience."

 MultiChoice in a statement says "TV Mall promises to entertain DStv customers, while educating them on product innovation. Today's customer is stressed and poorly informed - TV Mall strives to be convenient, authentic and fun to watch".

MultiChoice says "TV mall is a new concept for South Africa. Every product has a story and DStv enables the channel to demonstrate the product and place it in the lives of viewers. The presenters are informative, friendly and dedicated to provide accurate and a pleasant, soft-selling approach".

"The channel provides a platform that gives entrepreneurs and innovators the chance to showcase their products to a wider audience."

"With its South African flavour, TV Mall will excite, educate and entertain, providing the perfect occasion to enjoy shopping anytime and anywhere".