KweseTV Review – What It Can Deliver Compared to MultiChoice DSTV

KweseTV – Can it Beat MultiChoice DSTV ?

KweseTV is a Pay TV service, a subscription based model that was launched by Econet Global in the beginning of 2016 and targeted towards viewers in Africa. Pay TV is almost exclusively dominated by one player in the African market and this is none other than DSTV, a provider of popular satellite TV entertainment such as MultiChoice, SuperSport, MNET and GoTV. Before we get into details of KweseTV, let us familiarize ourselves with terms used in this industry, particularly the types of TV transmissions available to viewers:

What is IPTV?

IPTV is different from Cable TV and Terrestrial Satellite TV (Digital Satellite TV).IPTV stands for (Internet Protocol Television).

IPTV is transmitted via the internet through streaming. A familiar online service which makes use of streaming is Netflix. Streaming is a faster method of playing online movies and videos when compared to downloading.

There are 3 types of IPTV services: Live television, Replay TV and Video on Demand. Unlike internet television which can be accessed online via a browser app or desktop app, IPTV is accessed through a set-top box which makes use of a high-speed channel provided by a telecommunication network.

What is Digital Satellite TV?

These are TV signals transmitted directly from earth’s artificial satellites like Galaxy 14 and Intelsat 20. Well known Digital Satellite TV providers include DirectTV (bought by AT&T), Dish Network, BSkyB and DSTV a South African service offering entertainment to the African market. A decoder or set-top box is required to convert and decrypt the signals.

What is Cable TV?

Cable TV is delivered through light waves over optic fibre cables or radio waves over coaxial cables (copper core covered by layers of dielectric insulator, metallic shield and outer plastic sheath)

Cable TV channels can be combined with or provided on satellite TV channels. Examples are CNN, HBO, Eurosport and MTV.

Possibilities for KweseTV

Econet Global is a telecommunications company that owns mobile networks across the world .It is also involved in fiber optic installations and digital satellite business through its Liquid Telecom division. Based on Econet’s existing infrastructure on the ground, the following are the possible types of TV services that the company can launch:

• KweseTV can use its satellite platform Liquid Sat to deliver Digital Satellite TV.
• KweseTV can use its fiber optic networks platform Liquid Fibre to deliver Cable TV.
• KweseTV can use its mobile network operations Econet Global to deliver IPTV, which will be streamed on multiple devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers and television.

Competition from DSTV

It is safe to say that MultiChoice DSTV already provides all of the 3 types of TV services outlined above. The most familiar service is DSTV, a subscriber digital satellite TV with over 18 channels. DSTV receives signals via satellite dishes. There is also a non-satellite digital TV for budget customers, GoTV which uses an antenna to receive signals.

MultiChoice also runs IPTV-based services such as DSTV-on-Demand and DSTV Mobile, which provides streaming on mobile devices, computers, handheld and portable TVs.

Advantages of KweseTV

According to their press release, the CEO of Econet Global Dr Strive Masiyiwa says KweseTV aims to have a competitive edge over DSTV by providing lower priced better quality programs. Across Africa, DSTV has enjoyed a monopoly for many years, which could be their Achilles heels. Due to lack of competition, the company has received a lot of negative complaints from frustrated customers. It has been accused of providing overly priced services, repetitive shows and content which is not worth paying for.

If KweseTV is to beat DSTV, it must penetrate the market already dominated by MultiChoice.It must also deploy technologies already used by DSTV (or better) to reach different platforms and audiences. A lot of marketing effort will be needed to present KweseTV as a better alternative to DSTV. Getting Agent licenses from high quality content providers is also key to the success of KweseTV.The company has already secured distribution rights for Live English Premier League matches, which are popular in Africa and Asia.