M-Net, e.tv go to war over digital TV

M-Net has hit back at competitor e.tv over allegations by the free-to-air broadcaster that the pay-TV operator is acting out of self-interest in proposing that SA adopts cheaper digital converters rather than more expensive set-top boxes in the migration to digital terrestrial television.

... But Karen Willenberg, M-Net's director for legal and regulatory affairs, says e.tv's argument is "filled with glaring technical inaccuracies" and "represents a complete reversal" of its original position on set-top boxes.

"When broadcasters began planning for migration, M-Net, the SABC and e.tv all shared the same view - that a simple, low-cost converter would be the best solution for SA's migration to digital," Willenberg says. "After studying migration in many other countries around the world, broadcasters were all in agreement that a low-cost box was critical to ensure the swift adoption of digital terrestrial television by consumers."

At the time, she says, e.tv was the "chief proponent of this view and there was no suggestion that M-Net's support for a low-cost box was motivated by self-interest".

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About Duncan McLeod: @mcleodd

Award-wining Duncan McLeod is the founder and editor of TechCentral (wwwTechCentral.co.za, @TechCentral]]), South Africa's latest technology news site offering breaking news, in-depth analysis and opinion that launched in September 2009. Before that, he was associate editor at the Financial Mail/FM. Contact Duncan on email duncan at techcentral dot co dot za and follow him on Twitter at @mcleodd.
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