Zambian satellite broadcaster considering porn package

MultiChoice is considering broadcasting pornography and the possibility of creating new sex channels beamed to Zambia on DStv’s satellite pay-TV service. “MultiChoice has been inundated with requests for adult content on DStv over the past few months,” said Jackie Rakitla, general manager of corporate affairs at MultiChoice. “At this stage we’re merely doing research to determine the extent of interest in adult content, and we’re looking at the feasibility of implementing such a service.”

MultiChoice is using e-mails for market research purposes to test the interest in various broadcasting options, such as the broadcasting of “mixed pornography” (hardcore porn between 21:00 and 05:00 and soft porn between 05:00 and 21:00), hardcore porn 24 hours per day, or soft porn 24 hours per day on DStv. Respondents are also asked what they think the impact would be on the brand image of MultiChoice and DStv.

“No decision has been made yet,” said Ms Rakitla. “We’ll make a final decision once we’ve determined the level of interest and the feasibility of such a service.” MultiChoice declined to answer the question as to what the impact of such a decision would have on the broadcaster’s image.

The free e.tv broadcasting service, which recently stopped broadcasting late night erotica on Fridays and Saturdays, said on Tuesday this was done because “e.tv is constantly revising programme content.”

“We’ve been providing late night erotic content over weekends for quite some time now, and we’ve replaced this with ordinary films and TV series which our viewers enjoy,” said e.tv spokesperson Vasili Vass.

Regarding industry rumours that e.tv’s e.Sat, which currently supplies DStv with the eNews Channel, is working on the possibility of providing porn channels for MultiChoice, Mr Vass said “e.tv will not comment on this matter”. Multichoice, controlled from South Africa, is the main provider of DSTV in Zambia.

(Source: News 24 via Zambian Watchdog)