From: ccfj@hippo.ru.ac.za (F. Jacot Guillarmod)
Subject: M-Net and BBC WSTV (Was Re: M-NET)
Organization: Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1993 06:16:34 GMT

In <1993Jan22.115527.1606@galaxy.gov.bc.ca> rkobenter@galaxy.gov.bc.ca writes:

>M-NET is *the* private broadcaster in South Africa. Its blueprint
>was adopted from CANAL+ in France. It operates using conventional
>terrestrial antennas *BUT* scrambles their signal except for a
>few 'ITC windows'. They have been terribly successful in South Africa.
>Their fees are high, they also build/assemble their own descramblers.

As you say, the method of distribution in this country is terrestrial,
but I've been interested in discussions on their satellite feed.  The
only other "private" TV broadcaster is Bop-TV, who have very limited
terrestrial coverage, but also apparently have a Sat feed.  Anybody have
details on this?

M-Net is successful because they're filling a market niche - the state TV
channels are pretty boring, but have the monopoly on news broadcasting.
A monthly subscription is about R55-00 per month (US$17-00) and you can
rent a decoder for about R23-00 per month (US$8-00).  Outright purchase
of a decoder is about R600-00 (US$200-00).  An annual TV licence costs
R160-00 (US$50-00).  Doesn't sound expensive, put in those terms, but
overall we're not a particularly affluent society and many people have a
more pressing use for that sort of money.

Incidentally, what is an "ITC window"?

>Mid 1992 they where in discussions with BBC WSTV to provide them (M-NET)
>with news, much in the same way that SABC (state broadcaster) picks up
>CNN.

About two weeks ago there was a write up in one of the Sunday papers
about how to tune your M-Net decoder to receive BBC WSTV if you are
living in the Johannesburg area.  The signal is apparently been
re-broadcast for upmarket hotels up there, and M-Net hadn't bothered
to tell any of their regular subscribers the good news.  The
transmission times are a bit weird, though - 23h00 to 11h00 local time.
I'm hoping that their coverage will spread so as to cover us people out
in the sticks, but somehow doubt the economics of doing this
terrestrially.  There's a lot of uncertainty about what you'd need to
receive BBC WSTV direct via satellite in this country - any hints or
tips gratefully received.

Note that M-Net as such provides an entertainment/sport channel and isn't
"allowed" to broadcast its own news program.

>From what I was told, they are intending to branch out across Africa
>and already negotiate some rights (ie: Boxing) on a pan-African basis
>then redistribute.

I believe there are some private M-Net subscribers in Zimbabwe and in
Kenya who receive their signal via private satellite receivers.  I
haven't got a clue how these guys pay their subscriptions ;-)

Presumably they'll also provide feeds of sporting events to local
broadcasters in Africa... there's probably an amazing marketing
opportunity waiting out there.
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