Cape Town23062008, Carol Koopman of Lavender Hill says she is battling to get Multichoice to reconnect her DSTV Decoderafter they repeatedly service for an amount they say she didi not pay. Story Joseph Booysen, Picture Mlandeli Puzi Cape Town23062008, Carol Koopman of Lavender Hill says she is battling to get Multichoice to reconnect her DSTV Decoderafter they repeatedly service for an amount they say she didi not pay. Story Joseph Booysen, Picture Mlandeli Puzi
Lauren Isaacs and Own Correspondent
DSTV subscribers living in complexes and flats where the systems operate from a single-cable distribution system, will not have access to the new channels being introduced today.
This will be the single biggest impact of today’s channel changes brought about by the move to a new satellite.
The technical director of Space Television, Richard Gee, said there had been some fears initially that people might not have access to DStv at all.
“The migration of the satellite will not cause the cancellation of subscriptions. Subscribers who have not upgraded their service from a single-cable distribution system will simply not have access to the new channels being introduced today,” he said.
Single-cable distribution systems could be found at residential complexes and blocks of flats or “multi-unit dwellings”, as referred to by MultiChoice.
These systems lacked the capacity for the new satellite’s increased offerings.
The IS20 satellite will enable the public to access 14 high-definition channels including five movie channels and six new standard definition channels.
Gee said his company had received many orders to upgrade systems in flats and complexes so that residents could enjoy the new channels.
From today, subscribers will also have to get used to new channel numbers and groupings.
These are:
Channels 101 to 143: General entertainment, international; Channels 144 to 169: General entertainment, local content; Channels 170 to 190: Documentaries and lifestyle; Channels 191 to 195: Free to Air (SABC, etv) Channels 198 and 199: Events such as Idols and Big Brother; Channels 200 to 221: Supersport channels.
News and children’s channels will remain unchanged.
Technical director at Space Television, Richard Gee, said calls had streamed in at the MultiChoice offices when the public heard about the satellite switch.
“The migration of the satellite would not cause the cancellation of subscriptions. Subscribers who have not upgraded their service from a single-cable distribution system would simply not have access to the new channels being introduced today,” he said.
Single-cable distribution systems could be found at residential complexes and blocks of flats or “multi-unit dwellings”, as referred to by MultiChoice.
These systems lacked the capacity for the new satellite’s increased offerings.
“The majority of Capetonians understand the situation and we received orders to upgrade about 600 blocks of flats and residential complexes in several communities,” Gee added.
lauren.isaacs@inl.co.za