FORMERLY free-to-air channel BOStv is set to return to screens as a paid satellite television station. Njabulo Ncube Deputy Editor
BOStv inexplicably went off air on January 31 this year with speculation rife the channel had fallen foul with the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) over issues around its licence. It was found that it was operating outside its licencing parameters by broadcasting as a free-to-air channel.
Company executives last week indicated the channel would return as a pay-per-view television station in the next few months.
According to Techzim, BOStv director Nyasha Muzavazi, the station had targeted to return to the screens in April, but failed to do so due to delays in the delivery of decoders.
Techzim said BOStv’s current licence allows them to operate as a paid satellite channel on the MyTV Africa bouquet and the company is currently seeking amendment with BAZ.
BOStv was set to return to the screens in April, subject to BAZ re-adjusting its licence to allow it to operate as a standalone paid satellite service with multiple channels.
However, BAZ is yet to approve the licence amendment and the company has opted to introduce their bouquet under the MyTV Africa service, a licence they own locally.
Muzavazi told Techzim BOStv should be available before June with two new bouquets called the Legend and Mini-legend. The Legend bouquet will have over 400 channels including MyTV Africa’s full bouquet, all BOStv channels and numerous free-to-air channels. This package will be available for $22 per month.
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The Mini-legend bouquet will have over 100 channels including selected MyTV Africa channels, BOStv channels and some free-to-air channels. The mini-legend bouquet will be available for $10 monthly.
BOStv channels will be available after the new mpeg4 decoders are delivered by the manufacturer.
The decoders will cost between $75 and $125 depending on the features WiFi and 3G. Muzavazi said BOStv is currently signing up dealers to help them roll out the paid television service locally.
