As a result of this growth, and part of its annual content review, OpenView HD has announced some changes to the offering available on the popular free digital satellite TV platform. The changes will see four channels – ASTV, Spirit Word, Wild TV Africa and Ekurhuleni TV – no longer being available on the platform. These channels will start to go off air at the  end September through to mid-October.

Ziyanda Mngomezulu, the Platform’s Channel and Acquisitions Executive, says that the departing channels played a significant and integral role in getting the platform to where it is today, but that the company’s overall audience and business imperatives require constant reassessment of the channel offering.  “The decision to terminate the 4 channels’ contracts came after careful consideration of their performance and the overall OpenView HD strategy going forward.” she says.

Addressing concerns about the availability of OpenView HD decoders, Managing Director, Patrick Conroy, says this was a problem in the past but is being addressed. “Our retail partner, Game, has pumped tens of thousands of boxes into the market with a further 70 000 decoders destined to be in stores next month,” he says. Conroy adds “Two additional retailers will also be stocking OpenView HD decoders over the festive period, to cope with the high demand we are experiencing”.

OpenView HD says it will shortly be announcing a new channel launch in October to coincide with its 3^rd birthday.

TRACE Sport Stars is the first global entertainment channel dedicated to sports celebrities. The channel brings a great variety of content where sport meets glamour. Viewers will see their favourite sport stars sharing and revealing their real lives during detailed and exciting interviews.

“TRACE Sport Stars will take a unique view on sport stars, giving our viewers access to content that is not currently available on the OpenView HD offering”, Said Ziyanda Mngomezulu, Channel Acquisitions Executive at Platco Digital.

Over the past few months, the platform has grown significantly and will soon hit another milestone of reaching half a million decoder sales, Mngomezulu added.

TRACE Sport Stars provides an intimate and in-depth understanding of the much loved international champions, their passions, commitments and their secrets 24/7. The channel will also delve into the lives of prominent sport legends who have made a significant difference in the history of sport.

“We are delighted about the new partnership with OpenView HD. Viewers will get the opportunity to know the real stories behind the sport stars they admire”, said, Leo Manne TRACE Senior Vice President Southern Africa.

Talented media personalities and presenters from the local and international entertainment industry will host different shows on TRACE Sport Stars. Popular London blogger Craig Mitch, together with the up and coming presenter Maya Jama and sports presenter Layla Anna-Lee, will host the show Star Rated. Star Rated takes the biggest stars in the world of sport and rates them to find out who’s at the top of their game. Who’s the coolest male sport star? Which footballer holds the craziest parties? Who will be crowned the sexiest WAG of all time?

Exceptional personal trainer and TV presenter Lisa Raleigh, and South African male model, actor and television presenter Maps Maponyane present an insight into the world of World Cups in the 101 World Cups and 101 Exercises To Do Before You Die.

The Ultimate Sport Survival Guide is presented by the witty TRACE Sport Star presenter Will Best. The show uses hilarious home video clips to show the funny perils that await exercise enthusiasts. It provides useless tips on how to avoid injuries such as don’t ever stand directly behind someone holding a golf club.

Catch all the latest updates and interviews on TRACE Sports Stars (channel 154), on OpenView HD.

“We are delighted to introduce the three radio stations as part of our offering. We hope to enhance the listeners experience by providing them with excellent digital audio quality from their favourite radio stations”, said Ziyanda Mngomezulu, Channel Acquisitions at Platco Digital.

Gagasi FM, Heart FM and OFM, are leaders in their respective provinces and play significant roles in providing their listeners with hit music shows, talk shows and current affairs show. Gagasi FM is the number one commercial radio station in KwaZulu Natal with a strong urban black youth following. Heart FM prides itself as the Western Cape’s top all-round entertainer in touch with the values of Capetonians.

Catering to an English and Afrikaans audience across the Free State, North West Province, Northern Cape and the south of Gauteng, OFM is the largest independent radio station in South Africa. It plays a mix of old and new classic hits while providing content that is engaging and entertaining.

“Our viewers will be spoiled for choice with radio content from the three provinces. They now have the opportunity to easily access Mzansi’s best and loved radio shows which have a strong local identity. The platform will further boost the reach of the stations, from regional to national influence,” added Mngomezulu.

In addition to the new radio stations, LM radio will is also back on the platform. The station was awarded a licence to broadcast in Gauteng in 2014 after it was established in 2009. It plays classic jazz and funk from the 1960s down to the nostalgic sound of modern day artists, dance hits from the 70s and pop from the 80s. The tone and selection of the music is intimate and reminiscent. Its Radio genre is described as Nostalgic Adult Contemporary and Golden Oldie.

The radio stations will be available on the following channel:

LM Radio: Channel 602
Gagasi FM: Channel number 603
OFM: Channel number 604
Heart FM: Channel number 605

About the radio station:

Gagasi FM is the number one commercial radio station in KwaZulu Natal to reach the black urban and peri-urban black youth. The station harnesses a strong local identity and embraces KZN’s urban and peri-urban black youth market by boradcasting in Zunglish – a combination of English and isiZulu.

One of the Western Cape’s top commercial radio stations, Heart FM is a thought leader, trusted member of the community, and all-round entertainer in touch with the values Capetonians hold close to their hearts. The station enjoys a fiercely loyal and highly interactive relationship with its well over 600 000 strong fan base, which has a core listenership of LSM 6-10 and ages 35-45. Heart FM is well known for its music line-up which includes a mix of old and new that inspires and energises. It also hosts a number of exciting signature events: Mommy & Me; HeartBeats4Youth and Women At Heart.

OFM started broadcasting on the 1st of July 1985. Since then the station has established itself as the media power house of central South Africa. Today the station broadcasts in English and Afrikaans across four provinces – Free State, Northern Cape, North West and Southern Gauteng. The station boasts with more than half a million listeners in the LSM 7 – 10, age 25 – 49 target audience. Our listeners are innovators; enjoy leisure activities, sport and the outdoors.

About OpenView HD
OpenView HD is the only free digital satellite platform in South Africa, powered by e.tv, which brings you a wonderful new world of entertainment – 19 new TV channels in digital quality. The decoder is available from all leading retailers from as little as R399 (excludes dish/installation).