TopTV shelves HD plans

Added by Editor on 22 February 2012.
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TopTV has no immediate plans to introduce a personal video recorder (PVR) or high-definition (HD) broadcasts, despite earlier promises by former CEO Vino Govender, who recently left the pay-TV operator’s employ, that it would introduce such products.

Govender had said previously that TopTV would launch an HD PVR product in 2011, but the company later pushed out the launch date the second quarter of 2012. It insisted the products were coming because people in its target market – living standards measures 5-8 – were demanding HD broadcasts.

Now, however, chairman and acting CEO Eddie Mbalo says TopTV has shelved its plans for an HD PVR, at least for now. “When the time is right and our market is ready for enhanced technology, whether it’s a PVR or HD, we’ll have to respond to that,” he says.

TopTV’s decision to reverse its plans means DStv, owned by MultiChoice, will continue being the only broadcaster in SA offering HD channels as part of its programming for the foreseeable future.

“We do not think our current subscribers are dissatisfied with the quality of picture they are receiving,” Mbalo says. “Nothing says to me they’d opt for a PVR offering. When the time is right, and the market is calling for enhanced technology, we will have to respond. That time is not now.”

Customers calling the company’s call centres are not demanding HD pictures, he says. “We know that with the development of technology … we might have to respond, but we are dealing with [customers] who are entering the pay-TV market for the first time. Their concern is not HD, but accessing content that is entertaining and resonates with their emotions.”  – Duncan McLeod, TechCentral

Share this article

  • R4vZn

    I guess top of the list is the 3 porn channels.

  • Danie van der Merwe

    Real pity as I’ve been waiting for ages for their PVR. Difficult to move from DSTV’s PVR back to setting DVD recorders manually to match with satellite channel changes. I really wanted to move to TopTV….

  • Solnd

    No wonder only half of the people who bought Top TV Decoders still subscribe

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