It's interesting times for the TV industry. Despite the fact that the lights are off for hours a day, there's no shortage of new developments on the scene.
eMedia has announced that they're extending their Openview satellite service to include a Pay TV option as an add-on to the current free channels. They're calling it Ultraview and it's launching this Monday 6 March.
As you may know, DStv viewers have been asking for the option to only pay for channels of their choosing instead of paying for full bouquets which often include channels they aren't interested in.
This is clearly what Openview's catering to with their Pay TV set-up because viewers will be able to pay for their channels according to their interests.
They aren't going to be separate channels whereby viewers pay per channel but rather small bouquets that group niche channels together.
They're launching with a Pride bouquet of two channels, OUTtv and Fuse, both featuring LGBTQI and gender themed programming.
The bouquet costs R74,99 per month.
This is a description of each:
OUTtv is a lifestyle channel featuring a variety of LGBTQI series, raw reality, impressive documentaries, hysterical telenovelas, gay romcoms, award winning films, and OUT originals.
Some of the colourful shows include Being Bebe, Call Me Mother, Gogo For the Gold, and Hot Haus (Season 2 launches at the end of March - the first worldwide premiere on Ultraview), and many more.
Fuse ignites culture with vibrant entertainment that celebrates and amplifies fresh, young voices. It shares the stories that empower diverse young adults.
Stacked with movies, documentaries, competition shows, and compelling Fuse original series such as Sex Sells, and the always fabulous Big Freedia which will thrill viewers from beginning to end.
According to eMedia they'll be adding more bouquets soon, starting with one called Spice, also with two channels - undisclosed.
Our guesses: could be food channels, or Indian inspired or erotic series e.g. a blow back to Emmanuelle. Knowing e it's the latter. We pray they don't do a shady preacher bouquet.
As for the Pride channels... some final info - they'll be available to everyone on Openview for a free three-day trial and if viewers sign up to pay, they can cancel anytime.
Here's a link to the website, with details on the shows:
Ultraview