The newest kid on the block in South Africa’s pay-TV arena, TopTV, is celebrating its first birthday this month. Owned by On Digital Media, TopTV was launched with much fanfare in May last year to compete with the country’s sole pay-TV incumbent, MultiChoice.
Top TV’s introduction resulted in bouquets specifically targeted at South Africa’s lower LSM market.
On Digital Media maintains that Top TV has changed the face of home entertainment by providing more people in South Africa with access to satellite TV. According to a recent survey conducted by Top TV, the majority of its subscribers had no prior access to pay-TV. At its inception Top TV offered a total of 55 channels in bouquets that range from R99 to R249 per month. One year later the price range has remained unchanged.
According to Elouise Kelly, Vice President of Marketing, Top TV has had its share of teething problems. “As a young company TopTV is aware of its current challenges but also very proud of its achievements to date,” she stated. “June and July will see new developments taking place and it is then that we will be in a position to provide our stakeholders with accurate and more detailed information.”
In trying to give their subscribers more value for their money TopTV has grabbed the rights to the first runs of some new exciting shows, including The Walking Dead, The Listener, Falling Skies and The Booth at The End. TopTV subscribers can also look forward to new and thrilling shows and series on the platform in the upcoming months.
The Martha Stewart Show, never before on SA screens is now a firm favourite on Top One, one of TopTV’s flagship channels. Other shows, new to the platform, include The Bernie Mac Show, Cedric the Entertainer and Samantha Who. June has an exciting line up of series and movies including South LAnd, Street Kings, The Cleaner, Live from Abbey Road, Dhani Tackles the Globe, Lakeview Terrace and Cooked in Africa.
As part of TopTV’s birthday celebrations the pay TV company is using this opportunity to reward subscribers who took a chance with the new kid on the block 12 months ago, giving away prizes to the value of R300 000, including a trip for two to the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards in Los Angeles, the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards in Toronto, Canada and a visit to the France 24 Studios in Paris.
