DSTV’s New ‘On-Demand’ Service Dies On Launch Day
As DSTV continues to bring out new technologies to disguise the fact that the actual content on Multichoice is a ball of shit, it is with the greatest sense of irony that their very own reality show is playing out and giving the true entertainment value we long for. Yes, it’s true. With all the money and expert help in the world available to them, DSTV’s new ‘On-Demand” service failed to work, as it launched on Friday.
This, from channel24:
MultiChoice’s brand new DStv BoxOffice video on demand service (VOD) launched commercially on Friday has suffered what appears to be major technical failure with heavily irate subscribers fruitlessly trying to access the service to watch movies.
The technical failure of DStv BoxOffice on the launch day has left a red-faced MultiChoice not just reeling, but engineers scrambling to get the system back up and to get additional resources assigned to the new service.
I can’t wait to watch episode 2 of this excellent series!
Will someone at DSTV get the chop?
Will they realise that they should rather get the product right, before making it convenient to access?
You have to look after your opinion leaders, Koos. They know what quality content looks like and they have the power to choose. Given the choice, they’re opting for Wi-Fi at home, over a DSTV subscription (most people only have it for the sport anyway – and that you can find online – I watched most of the French Open on my iPad). With a US iTunes account (get one here) and uncapped broadband (cheaper than DSTV), they’re getting all the movies and TV shows they want on the internet. They’re getting 2oceansvibe Internet Radio at home and work as well (and even in their car!). When last did anyone listen to radio at home and work? I’m talking about the opinion leaders – the upwardly mobile. When last did THEY listen to radio at home or work? A long time ago. But they do listen in their car…
What I’m trying to say is: Given the choice, people choose not to listen to local radio. That is now a proven fact. And yet they are choosing to listen to 2oceansvibe Radio – whose USP is content that isn’t ‘dumbed down’ (excuse the phrase) to suit the lowest common denominator. They’re calling it a ‘revelation.’ That’s a revelation? My God - how sad are we?
And the same goes for TV. These are the guys who can use your new niche service. But why would they want to access “on demand” content aimed at the lowest common denominator (that’s if and when the service actually works), when they can get the world and awesome content through the internet? There are only so many times a human can watch Lethal Weapon 4.
2oceansvibe TV is launching in two weeks time and we aim to give South Africa original quality programming. Regular shows with weekly episodes between 3 and 5 minutes each. Shows which are made with the basic assumption that the viewers prefer not to be patronised. Just like good chat and cool tunes on 2oceansvibe Radio, it is terribly sad that such a basic concept is deemed a revelation…
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6 Comments
Jason Drone
23 Jul 2011
Dude,
You so don’t get the new service from BoxOffice – (sure I can illegally access itunes an pretend I am in the USA wait forever for the movie). Yes the service had its probs to begin with but as a direct result of its popularity I would guess.
With BoxOffice I walk up to my TV, press a couple of buttons and am renting before you know it. Used rented 2 movies and looking forward to watching them tonight. All this instantly, no waiting, no hassels pretending to be someone else and on my big screen.
This is probably the start of more to come from DStv and instead of slagging off a company that are innovating (i.e. delivering content via satellite instead of trying to do it via shitty SA broadband) we should be encouraging more innovation from companies like Dstv that have the sense of drive to innovate in this space.
Stop being myopic and lets give some congratulations where its due.
Seth
23 Jul 2011
Hey Jase,
Thanks for the comment. Yip, we’ve been watching (renting and buying) movies and TV shows on demand with Apple TV for two years now. I pay, press play, wait 20 seconds, and it starts.
Only difference is we’re getting fresh content. Up to date with the States and very often movies that haven’t even hit the cinema here. There are only so many times we can watch Lethal Weapon 2.
Bottom line: R500 internet (with everything available plus greater choice) or R700 DSTV?
No need to get both..
Jan
23 Jul 2011
DSTV is the biggest rip-off product available in SA. No idea why people bother with it. 700 Rands!!!! Give me internet TV any time…
A
25 Jul 2011
Guys, if you don’t know about Apple TV, then you REALLY need to do yourself a huge favour and check it out. The device costs $99, and as Seth mentions, it gives you access to the LATEST movies and TV shows – in most cases before they even hit our cinemas (let alone DSTv). TV episodes are available in SD or HD (your choice) the day after they screen in the States.
Movies play while they download, so you don’t have to wait long at all. Movies buffer in under a minute, and I’m just on a regular 4Mb ADSL line.
If it doesn’t bother you at all that you allow DSTv to decide what “the movie” is every Sunday evening (or at any other time for that matter), then maybe Apple TV isn’t for you – but I’m guessing that most 2OV readers like to make those sort of decision themselves.
Cam
25 Jul 2011
Hi Seth,
Can see why people are bitching but it worked for us, no probs! We got 3 movies both on Friday and 2 on Sunday and it took about 3 minutes to set up! Perhaps we were lucky but after what people say about Tevo overseas comparing to DSTV, Multichoice are STREAKS ahead… but I won’t comment on Apple TV. Yup, if we had cheap uncapped broadband here and SA wasn’t such a tightarse when it came to licensing and distribution then we’d be living the dream…
Don
25 Jul 2011
This all sounds good but what about the weekend fix of sport and news? If you don’t have DSTV how do you access this (Sky News, BBC and so on).
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