Signal distributor for the South African broadcasting sector, Sentech, announced that it will Re-brand Vivid as a universal access direct-to-home satellite platform, “Freevision”, from 30 September 2013.
This is expected a few days before the beginning of subscription-free satellite service, OpenView HD, from E-tv sister company, Platco.
The Freevision launch, according to Sentech, is a “gap-filler” as the systems are being moved from analogue to digital terrestrial television (DTT).
The state-owned signal distributor clarified that a direct-to-home satellite service was visualized to be part of the DTT migration for those few who would not be able to receive terrestrial TV signals.
All licensed DTT broadcasters will be able to use the Freevision platform, Sentech said.
Freevision will use the Intelsat 20 satellite located at 68.5°E, meaning, majority of viewers in South Africa would not need to install a second satellite dish or change the position of their existing satellite dish when joining Freevision.
Sentech also said that it would only announce the retail pricing and channel line-up later. The cost of a Freevision dish, installation and decoder is expected to be between R1,200 and R1,500.