South Africa’s second Pay TV operator TopTV is set to launch on the 1st of May by ODM (On Digital Media)
TopTV will be the first competition DSTV faces which had the monopoly for Pay TV in South Africa for the past decade. The question remains will TopTV pose a threat to DSTV?
Top TV is set to launch with a range of seven channel bouquets ranging from R99 to R249. The bouquets will consist out of channels made up from several categories namely Variety, Kids & Music, Entertainment & Knowledge and Movies.
The R99 package will only include channels from the Variety category where as on the R159 package users will get the Variety channels and have the choice of either Kids & Music or Entertainment & Knowledge channels. The R189 package from TopTV includes Varienty channels, Kids & Music channels as well as Entertainment & Knowledge channels. For R220 users will get the same benefits of the R159 package with Movie channels added, and for R249 users will get all the channels available on TopTV.
People interested in TopTV can either their existing DSTV dish and turn it or can obtain a full installation voucher for R699 which includes a decoder, dish and installation. There are rumors floating around that TopTV is set to have a launch price of R499 for the whole package.
It would be interesting to see how many people will make the move to TopTV. I foresee the die hard sport fanatics will stay with DSTV and people more interested in entertainment and movies will probably make the move over to TopTV as their pricing is much more attractive.
What is your opinion? Is it worth moving over to TopTV or are you staying with DSTV? Also if you have never been a DSTV subscriber are you considering taking up one of the TopTV packages?
well, I would definitely give them a go, as their top package is actually quite cheap, except that they don’t have KykNet which we watch most of the time on the normal DSTV bouquet.
Agree Arné, they are really cheap. I think only people that will be hesitant to move will be the sport lovers.
Thanks for the info, I was looking for this as their sites does not have a lot of information like this.
Another thing that found out is that installation including dish and decoder will be R699.
Hardware will be available at all mayor retailers, you buy there and you then SMS them and they will give you the info of 3 installers in your area. Installers will activate your service when done.
PVR will be available by the end of the year and services similar to DSTV’s dual view is not planned yet.
Hopes this helps someone looking for more info.
Thanks for all that info Toorie
Sorry forgot to answer the question, I am not a DSTV subscriber but will definitely be getting TOPTV as soon as it is available.
DSTV is too expensive for what they offer and don’t have a lot of bouquets choices.
One major plus is that you can use your existing DSTV dish, and just swap the decoder out, so I’m guessing that anyone who’s fed up with the standard, overpriced junk on DSTV will end up switching.
However, it’s not TopTV I’m looking forward to – it’s DSTV’s response. Yes they have the Supersport monopoly, but not much else other than that, and they’re really gonna have to work to keep their customers this time around.
Personally, I just want the Syfy channel back
~ Wogan
Yea Wogan would be interesting to see DSTV’s response, one thing though, you can use the same dish as DSTV but I believe you have to turn it a bit as TopTV runs from a different satellite.
I will definately be moving over to top tv, the prices are reasonable, the only downside is that i cannot see mnet or kyknet on it. So will have to check out exactly what their channels offer
Hi Gerda, yea unfortunately MNET and KykNET is produced by DSTV so you won’t see them ever on TopTV, but good news is that TopTV will also have their own locally produced shows and channels.
Top One will be their equivalent to MNET and who knows maybe they have a Afrikaans channels planned for the future.
can anyone tell me what is toptv response or strategy iro namely DStv superior sport coverage and secondly DStv barebones R20 per month package. Finally i need to know why dont they engage ESPN. It appears logical and natural. Both ESPN and TopTv are American entities. They should be able to link
Well DSTV should shape up or break up!! DSTV please give us free insurance on decoders!!!Specially the PVR decoders….
Seeing that they dont have dual view decoders… can u have 2 decoders with one satelite and one package?
Sharing a satellite dish is easy but the problem comes in with sharing the smart card, this is what dual view decoders to and why you need a physical coax link between extraview decoders. So to put it simple, no you cant use 2 different decoders for Top TV until they enable a extraview type of capability or a dual view decoder.
I want to know more about your packages, sport, movies and etc for packages 2 and 3. I love sport so much, do you have channels like supersport 1,2,3,4. If yes sign me in.
Hi Mathebula, you can check out the official TopTV website for more info http://www.toptv.co.za/bouquet
Hi all, I have TopTV for about three almost four weeks now and the thing is not to compare DSTV with TopTV. I’ve had DSTV for about 7 years and got use to the programs etc, but TopTV has their own channels, some of which is very similar to DSTV but not the same but very good non the less. TopTV came in the market the right time and with the sell-out response they got, why wouldn’t DSTV be scared, as the market is now open to everyone. When I spoke to the TopTV consultants they did advise that their current decoder is already getting a much higher quality of picture as compared to DSTV and that during the year they will be doing multiple software upgrades which will allow customers to start getting full HD quality and also the option of the PRV function via the USB functionality. Another thing to factor in, is that DSTV has a signed agreement (not sure if this is for the year etc) with the sports channels such as Sky Sports, ESPN, Golf, Soccer etc, which will be up for re-newal which will allow TopTV to also bid for these channels, which promises alot more channels from TopTV to come. Look TopTV is new, give it a try and if you’t like it you can always switch back to DSTV. DSTV’s biggest flaw is that they have not given the consumer the choice of MNET, Movie Magic etc on any of their select choices. If they had I still feel that they would still have a lot of the market. And just as TopTV launches DSTV launches their R99 package which once again has stupid channels. Well let’s hope they see the bigger picture and lower their prices before the end of the year when I hear there will be a 3rd competitor coming into the maket. Just my small piece. Thanks AN
Does anyone know when they will actually have live sport events i.e. Super 14, Tri-Nations, Cricket etc. I heard they are busy with negotiations for a 4th sport channel that has all off the above mentioned.
Then TOP TV is the way to go. Looks like they also have a lot of channels from FOX TV in USA
I’ve had TOPTV since day one on the premium package and I must say that I am not impressed with the programming.
Think I’ll downgrade and see how it goes in three months time and take it from there.
Just my 2 cents.
I really wish that we (Africa) didn’t get crappy boiled down versions of channels (FOX Entertainment – http://www.foxafrica.com), and Ultimate movies that really aren’t worth paying that extra bit. I love FLN and Discovery T&L. I just wish that the programming schedule was less misleading. I’m happy, but I do feel a bit scammed.
Look, they’re new, they need to have the teething process, but we’re still paying good money for archived programming.
Oh, and they really could’ve left out the weird pseudo sports channel. Setanti holds no place in SA, we do not understand Australians and their weird rugby. Rather spend the money on streaming content (updated please) from Fox Sports (and just do Fox Entertainment while you’re at it). I’m not keen on sports, but we are a sporting nation.
I’m not trying to dissuade anyone, but just check the programming on http://nantage.nanfo.com/ before you commit.
Kisses
i work allday, i got a recorder but top tv decorded wasnot programmed to record, tell me the solution, becourse i want to watch all the programs i missed when i am not at home.
Hi!
Can you manage an eutelsat seasat w7 package smart card to watch multichoice in Spain?
Here we need the same smart card ,is being used in Rwanda.
I’ve been watching the same with W4 package before.
Please respond………funds remittance no problem.
Thanks
0034 678039206
Can I switch back to DSTV without taking down the TOPTV satellite dish outside?
Hi Tugi, unfortunately not. DSTV and TOPTV satellites are set up differently.
i purchased a toptv decoder&dish i payed R169 or r179 not sure anymore i lost my slip which had my activation number now its 2months without watching top tv help retreave my activation number so that icontinue watch top tv pliz help my email address is sellothabo34@yahoo.com phone number 084 288 3716 pliz help me want to watch top tv
Please tell me if we can get sport tv, otherwise I will have to consider buying Top Tv. Is there not a extra subscription levy to pay so that we can get Top Sportnot just scoccer as on DSTV
Is it possible to get these Toptv bouquets here in Zimbabwe. I stay in Chipinge, a small eastern border town & where do I make the monthly payments ‘if subscriptions are made’? Do I have to always travel to that place to make subs/payments?
i have Toptv the full bouquet of R249 per month as from December last year. I am very satisfied with the programming just one thing that really starting to bug me now. I see that thay are busy to repeat ALL THE EDDY MURPHY MOVIES AGAIN and other stuff of him. The SAME PROGRAMMES AS DECEMBER UNTILL FEBRUARY that is..? Why is that ? Are u plnning to repeat everything as from last year also ? Then it is not worth watchin it anymore…to tell the honest truth trere is TOO MUCH REPEATIN of progammes. Please send me a reply coz im really fed up with it now.
when will dual decoder for toptv be available
Hello I don’t have TOP TV,but deciding to get it,please convince me further y I should???????
HELLO I DON’T HAVE TOP TV AND WOULD LOVE TO GET IT,CONVINCE ME Y I SHOULD???????
I bought the decoder a week ago and followed the activation process,the thing is when the consaltant phoned me i wasnt having the smart card with me i did send the card’No & tryd to call i culdnt get hold of them must i be worried?
Please can TopTv give us one more eastern
channel ( VIJAY TV) to add to my package
for R99.00. I currently pay R99.00 and I am
a pensioner. I cannot afford to pay R60.00 more for 4 x eastern channels.
My religion is Tamil and I need VIJAY TV.
Thank you
Sandy S.
I make my payment on the 07DEC2011 of an amount of R76.65 and I’ve be trying to fax but it says fax error seens the 07DEC11 until today.Please reactivate my services.
Hi I am totally disgusted with the service providers of Top TV. I bought my decoder 2.5 weeks ago and I have made about 12 cellphone calls to the no’s issued by TOP TV. The installers make appointments and do not pitch up and do not let you know. I have to keep on phoning. To date I am not installed and have not received a call back.
This is very unfortunate, I bought my TopTV and it was installed and ready about 3 days later. The problem is these guys are not working for TopTV, but rather contracted out to them. Not sure what you can do here, but maybe TopTV should consider with whom they link their name to
what can I do to be private installer
Hi Dan, unfortunately you will have to contact TopTV (ODM) for information regarding becoming an installer.