Africa (Sub-Saharan) Digital TV News

Botswana - BEStv finally receives broadcasting licence
Aug 14, 2008 – Black Earth Communications (BEC) has received its satellite broadcasting service licence from the Botswana Telecommunication Authority (BTA). BEC will trade as Black Entertainment Satellite Television (BEStv).
News categories: Black Earth Communications, Botswana Telecommunication Authority, Botswana, Digital TV, Regulation, Satellite

Nigerians to have access to 100-250 TV channels by 2010
Aug 8, 2008 – Nigeria Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) and DIGITAL Broadcasting have reached an agreement to enable the 36 states of the Nigerian federation to access 100-250 television stations through a common set-top box within the next 18 months.
News categories: NIGCOMSAT, Digital TV, Nigeria, Satellite, Set Top Box

MultiChoice South Africa to launch HD service with Pace in time for 2008 Olympics
Aug 8, 2008 – Pace (LSE:PIC) is supplying its TDS850IMC HD personal video recorder (PVR) for the launch of MultiChoice South Africa's high definition (HD) service.
News categories: Pace plc, Conditional Access, Digital TV, DVR, Middleware, Satellite, Set Top Box, South Africa

South Africa - Cabinet approves digital migration policy
Aug 7, 2008 – The Cabinet has approved the Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy for South Africa. Cabinet approved the manufacturing of set-top boxes in South Africa and the subsidising of up to 5 million of the boxes as a tool for bridging the digital divide.
News categories: Broadcasting Digital Migration, Department of Communications, Digital TV, Set Top Box, South Africa, Terrestrial

Gateway Broadcast Services Selects MediaHighway® Middleware and EPG for its African Pay TV Service
Jul 31, 2008 – NDS (NASDAQ: NNDS) has announced that Gateway Broadcast Services (GBS) has chosen MediaHighway® middleware and NDS Electronic Program Guide (EPG) to enhance its pay-TV satellite service for sub-Saharan Africa.
News categories: NDS Group, GTV, Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Côte d'Ivoire, Digital TV, Middleware, Satellite, Set Top Box

MultiChoice Launches High Definition Television
Jul 25, 2008 – MultiChoice has announced the launch of its High-Definition Personal Video Recorder (HD PVR). The introduction of High Definition television is another milestone achievement for television in South Africa.
News categories: MultiChoice, Digital TV, DVR, Satellite, South Africa

South Africa - ODM awarded pay-TV licence
Jul 21, 2008 – On Digital Media (ODM) has been granted a pay-TV broadcast licence by ICASA (Independent Communications Authority of South Africa).
News categories: Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, On Digital Media, Digital TV, Regulation, Satellite, Set Top Box, South Africa

Naspers Provisional Results for the Financial Year Ended 31 March 2008
Jun 25, 2008 – Naspers (JSE: NPN) has reported a 19% increase in revenue to R20,5 billion. Over the period the total pay-TV subscriber base grew by 13% (246,000 additional equated homes) to 2,5 million subscribers under management.
News categories: Naspers, Angola, Cyprus, Digital TV, DVR, Ghana, Greece, Kenya, Mobile, Namibia, Nigeria, Results, Satellite, South Africa, Subscribers, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Demand for New Content Driving Growth of African Pay-TV
Jun 25, 2008 – African digital TV consumers are seeking more localized content from the pay-TV industry, and operators are answering the call by developing business models to meet this growing market's demands.
News categories: IMS Research, Africa, Market Research, Nigeria, Satellite