Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro
ACCESS, customer-obsessed, challenging and innovative. These are the sweet coatings in which satellite television’s new kid on the block in Namibia is wrapping his/her promises to the usually unsuspecting consumer.
In terms of access he/she believes, or should I say she/he makes us believe that TV should be accessible to everybody and not reserved for a privileged few. In terms of customer obsession the promise is – in own words: “GTV exists for you! We are determined to find out what you want and to work out how best to give it to you. We are honest and straightforward, and most of all, we really listen to you!”
“We challenge the status quo and ourselves – constantly raising the bar through innovative technology in our operations, customer service and programming content.” The promises flow further.
Reading and hearing all these, it is hard to fall for the new offering of this provider. Unless, of course, the treatment by one of the local satellite television networks is not fresh in your memory. I am sure you know what I am referring to?
Now around comes a new provider, perhaps well aware of how bitter a section of the television viewing public here is following their recent spiting. I certainly would live up to the day when all these promises are realised indeed. But how can one see such a practicality without first having to buy the GTV kit and subscribe?
Well, there starts my dilemma and I am sure that of my fellow victims whose recent experience remains fresh in their memories.
But to give them the benefit of the doubt some food for thought is apt to further tickle their innovative fancy. I have for some time now been observing in the media instances/individuals offering for sale SABC decoders. This selling campaign was especially heightened prior to the last football world cup. In this apparent offering of services the consumer was inundated with information on one or the other decoder or this and that satellite television service offering the South African Broadcasting Service (SABC) television channels SABC 1,2,3 and at a cool N$1 500. The package includes 15 other television channels whichever they may be? My immediate concern has been whether some of these channels are not the ones DStv is already offering?
One recalls not so long ago DStv subscribers in Namibia could receive the SABC 1,2 and 3 and etv channel. In the wink of an eye these were gone to make a re-appearance via a new provider and at extra cost.
MultiChoice Namibia’s explanation was that Namibians were receiving these channels through spillage. Perfectly understandable! However, if the channels are popular in Namibia as they had seemed to be, why couldn’t and hasn’t MultiChoice Namibia included them in its DStv package? The very same thing seems to have happened with English Premier League football. Today, a new provider has appeared on the scene. To access his/her service you need new receiving gadgets in addition to what you have. I am sure if you may be able to afford all these gadgets and the monthly subscription, you are bound to have a problem with space in your room having to pile up decoders. Not to speak of dishes on your rooftop.
The most compelling question from a layman subscriber is why don’t the various providers gang up and offer the consumer an all-inclusive package?
That is in terms of universal decoder and a dish? Yes, we know that we are living in a free market economy and every service provider has as much a right to offer the consumer his/her products/services. However, the best at times, especially from a consumer point of view is a package.
Another provider has already been positioning to join the market offering cable television service. It’s not long before the consumer must cough up for this service as well. Most of the time the information available to the consumer to make an informed choice at to what service she/he can opt for, is scanty if not wishy-washy.
Most of all I am sure subscribers want to know what’s the difference between the various services being offered? This is in terms of both content and fees. Subscribing to one may at the end of the day turn out to be subscribing to all. Why that is not and may not be the case, only the providers can make us wise.
SABC maintains that there is no way its services can be received in Namibia if not through DStv. MultiChoice Namibia in turn maintains that they are not allowed to air SABC services. But at the same time these channels are available in Namibia. How this is possible for others and not for MultiChoice Namibia and its DStv network only MultiChoice, SABC and their agents can educate and inform.
Meanwhile consumers must continue to agonise between the various providers. Can one really blame the believers shunning away all earthly matters for the word of the Almighty?