Since 2009 a television viewing audience hoping to see more variety in TV broadcasting has witnessed many false dawns of big talking potential aspirants that news of a new entrant no longer excites them. Therefore, it should not be surprising that the announcement of a new licence granted to aspiring free-to-air pay TV venture Siyaya has not stirred up even a storm in a tea cup.
The public craving for more variety in television broadcasting would like to see whether the launch of Siyaya TV before the end of 2014 will indeed materialise.
First, before doing the legwork, Siyaya has to sort out the paperwork hurdle. It still has to prove to ICASA that it has the wherewithal to comply with the conditions of its licence within three months. The “technology neutral” terms of the licence permits it to use both DTH and DTT platforms. Transform SA is reliably informed the company will be using direct-to-home (DTH) satellite broadcasting.
Thus far, Siyaya has cranked up its publicity machine with the announcement that it has clinched exclusive broadcasting rights for Bafana Bafana games next year in a deal worth reportedbly R1 billion.
Nevertheless, the jury is still out on whether it will live up to its billing. Any doubts about its sustainability could be vindicated as preceding broadcasting ventures of a similar nature have turned out to be still-born, despite the unprecedented publicity they have garnered.