DSTV Fills GTV Soccer Vacuum

Published on Wednesday 4th February 2009

SUBSCRIBERS to the defunct Gateway Television (GTV) that were frustrated and probably still miserable over the anticipated costs of switching to Digital Satellite Television (DStv) need not worry.

The pay-per-view company yesterday pledged to satisfy its future clientele with upgraded DStv decoders at discounted rates despite the current economic credit crunch.

MultiChoice public relations officer Helena Mayanja explains: "To begin with, we have discounted the decoders from $167 (sh330,660) to sh160,00. People that have been subscribing to GTV will only need to change decoders while the dish remains the same but would need realignment depending on how the original connections were made.

"The sh160,000 though excludes the installation and this offer is only available through DStv accredited installers, our countrywide agents. All the equipment is with the installers," Mayanja added.

"We want our clients to enjoy the Premiership and have it at reasonable rates," she said.

The Premiership, which commenced in 1992, succeeding the old first division, has transcended the marketability in football.

As the most widely televised league in the world, watched in close to 150 countries, the Premiership has made a huge impact all over the globe.

Thanks to SuperSport, thousands of fans will once again be glued on their television sets enjoying the thrills of top class football from some of the finest players.

Mayanja acknowledges that while MultiChoice offers hundreds of shows to its clients, the Premiership stands out as the most sales-generating programmes of all.

The league has become the ultimate sales brand due to the incredible way it has captured the imagination of many Ugandans.

"We do have other programmes that compete favourably but it stands high up there," Mayanja stated.

MultiChoice Uganda general manager Charles Hamya pointed that the developments confirmed their commitment to providing the best.

"We are extremely excited about this development, the full EPL rights have in some way found themselves in a place where they truly belong. All soccer fans in Uganda should be assured of our continued commitment towards making MultiChoice the most favoured service provider on the market," Hamya said.

According to Reuters, Joseph Ndung'u, manager of the canopied Verandah Bar that lines Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi, said the lack of Premiership would seriously damage his business.

"This thing (football) was a money minter," he said. "We sold out at weekends. Last Sunday we were disappointed because the Chelsea versus Liverpool match would have sold out our stock as usual. It was a disaster," he said.

Bar owners around the country and allover Africa, were so disappointed they were lost for words and went into prayer that either GTV returned or another channel showed the matches.

Taxis too endeavour to have radio systems installed as radio commentary has quickly gained prominence.