Johannesburg-based Walking on Water Television (WOWtv) is set to enter South
Africa’s commercial satellite pay-TV market before March 2012, as per its licence granted
by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) in March this
year.
Screen Africa readers may recall that in September 2007 ICASA announced WOWtv as
one of five successful applicants (including TopTV and incumbent MultiChoice / DStv) for
pay-TV licences. According to WOWtv CFO and co-founder Luyanda Mangquku, ICASA
only awarded WOWtv its licence this year once the broadcaster’s funding had been
confirmed.
“We’ve been in existence for five years and have deliberately kept below the radar,
drawing lessons from TopTV, which was launched in May last year. WOWtv learnt that
we need to have sufficient capacity before launching – this includes efficient turnaround
times for our call centre and for dish / decoder installations,’ explains Mangquku.
No launch date has yet been announced but Mangquku notes that prior to launch
WOWtv will undertake a 90-day road show around the country to market the service to
people on the ground. “We are doing everything in our power to launch as soon as
possible, but it would be wrong to say the launch was imminent.’
WOWtv is currently negotiating a contract with its satellite provider. While Mangquku will
not disclose the name he concedes that it is not SES Astra (TopTV’s provider).
Decoders are more likely to be imported, but they remain in talks with a local
manufacturer.
Originally conceived as a single channel, WOWtv has switched to a multi-channel service
that will have up to five channels at launch on its entry level bouquet (R49 per month)
and up to 10 on its premium bouquet (R99).
“The WOWtv directors decided that to launch a single channel service into a market
where there were already two multi-channel operators (DStv and TopTV) would make no
impact,’ says Mangquku. “Likewise we have had to re-size and restructure our business
as we don’t have unlimited funds.’
WOWtv has also had to clarify what it is. Mangquku insists that contrary to WOW’s
initial positioning and what is stated on WOW’s website, it is not a Christian-based
broadcaster. It will not play the advocate for Christianity because they believe that
Christianity is but one of many religions. “We are a God-based broadcaster with Christ
being our core and will provide entertainment with a purpose. WOWtv is positioned as a
national asset – our programming will address problems which South Africa faces such
as crime, HIV/Aids, domestic violence, unemployment, etc. It will teach audiences life
skills and present values from a Godly perspective.’
The programming WOWtv wants to broadcast is very South Africa-specific which means
that it will have to commission local content. Says Mangquku: “We’ve only found limited
overseas content that is suitable for WOWtv so 50% of our content must be made in
South Africa. But we know that we have to deliver what our audiences need.’
WOWtv plans to have its own in-house production unit but will outsource production as
well. It has created a register on its website (www.wowtv.co.za) for interested
independent producers. Prior to commissioning any content WOWtv will invite producers
to a workshop that will familiarise them with the WOWtv ethos. Genres include sports,
fashion, news and current affairs, dramas, soaps, sitcoms and telefilms.
Mangquku and his wife Nontokozo Mangquku, who is the WOWtv CEO and also a co-
founder, own 40% of the business. Other shareholders are Cornastone Technology
Holdings, WindsObey Pty Ltd, LIFA Investment Holdings, Vhomakadzi Enterprize and the
WOWtv employee scheme (10%).
