MultiChoice and Sony host Halloween party with TV tricks and treats
November 4, 2007
By Edwin Naidu
The launch was held at Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, with a captive audience that received a visually exciting presentation minus the normally staid speeches one is treated to at such functions, especially at this august venue.
On the evidence, Sony Entertainment Television (SET) and Animax look set to liven up proceedings on the DStv bouquet with a cool mix of movies and stunning animation. MultiChoice is also introducing five new channels with gospel, style and movie news on the menu.
Ross Hair, Sony's senior vice-president international networks, said the firm was excited about bringing television to a market that loves Sony products - especially the PlayStation - and wanted the country to be a launching pad for Sony's aspirations throughout Africa.
SET promises 100 percent entertainment. Its line-up ranges from movies targeting pimple-faced teens to those dealing with mid-life crisis or menopause.
Animax invites viewers, mainly between the ages of 15 and 29, to a new world of exciting animation. Sony's investment, according to Hair, was substantial, although he refused to divulge details, saying Sony was in the country for the long haul.
In spite of Sony's zeal in linking up with MultiChoice, given its dominance in the pay television arena, Hair said the firm would not rule out the prospect of linking up with any new player in the market, since it had channels in its arsenal that could lend themselves to a deal.
After the euphoria over being granted licences in September, Telkom Media, E-Sat, On Digital Media (ODM) and Walking on Water have slipped under the radar, presumably producing great content for pay channel viewers while DStv steals ahead, making a joyful noise on a hottish Halloween night in the centre of the city.
The ANC Times?
Why is everyone silent about the possibility of mining magnate and presidential wannabe Tokyo Sexwale's Mvelaphanda acquiring a stake in Johnnic Communications, the owner of the Sunday Times?
Presidents have their powers somewhat limited unless they have control of the voice of the masses - in this case the Sunday Times, which has the biggest circulation of any publication in the country.
The ANC has long held aspirations of publishing a newspaper but presumably party leaders gave up on that dream, mindful that it would have bored them to death or gone out of business because it would have been required reading only for sycophants. Sexwale is a wealthy member of the ANC family.
Given the Sunday Times coverage of health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang's reported battle of the booze, how would Sexwale, as president, respond if the newspaper he owns a stake in digs up any dirt on members of his cabinet?
Of course, this is hypothetical but media bashing charges of the past by President Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma should leave one concerned when politicians influence what one reads.
Given Sexwale's focus on the bottom line during that awful reality show, The Apprentice, what will he do about Johnnic's refreshingly dull daily freebie, The Times, which is apparently gobbling up R600 000 a day because of high distribution costs and low advertiser interest?
Sexwale is no apprentice when it comes to power and politics - and that's reason to fear. As a potential Johnnic shareholder, he knows no bed other than that of the rapidly intolerant ANC.
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