Friday, November 27, 2015

e.tv on MultiChoice's DStv finally upgraded to high definition quality; e.tv local weekday soaps Rhytm City and Scandal! added to DStv Catch Up.

Sabido's e.tv and MultiChoice have finally agreed to upgrade the South African free-to-air commercial TV channel's signal from SD to HD on the DStv satellite pay-TV platform.

e.tv also signed a deal with MultiChoice to add its daily local soaps, Rhythm City and Scandal! to the DStv Catch Up service from 1 December.

DStv Catch up already contains some of the SABC's weekday soaps like Generations and 7de Laan in a contract with the SABC, as well as kykNET's (DStv 144) Binnelanders and Villa Rosa.

e.tv is being broadcast in high definition (HD) from today on DStv.

e.tv upgraded its signal to HD in October 2013 and has been broadcasting the high definition version for the past two years on Platco Digital's OpenView HD (OVHD) free-to-air satellite platform.

While the HD version of e.tv was available the past two years, MultiChoice as well as On Digital Media (ODM) and StarTimes Media South Africa running the StarSat pay-TV satellite platform didn't switch to the better version for their respective subscribers.

There's been no announcement from MultiChoice but Monde Twala, e.tv channels managing director praised the upgrade deal, saying it will enrich DStv subscribers' viewing experience.

"All of our distinctive blend of authentic, compelling shows are filmed in HD. We are certain that his new development will give the channel a new edge and add value to our broad audience across all platforms".

In 2016 e.tv will roll out a new second "season" of the telenovela Ashes to Ashes and dramas Z'bondiwe and Umlilo have also been renewed for second seasons.

e.tv will also bring viewers a new local travel show Double Up, a new local action thriller Heist, and picked up the Jongo local superhero drama.