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The public launch of digital terrestrial television in South Africa will no longer be in April 2012

The South African Minister of Communications, Dina Pule, revealed at a press briefing today (24 January 2012) that the public launch date of digital terrestrial television (DTT) in South Africa will by pushed back.

Previously the Department of Communications (DoC) under former minister Roy Padayachie set the DTT switch-on date for April 2012.

The state broadcaster told parliament it plans to have 18 TV channels on air within two years after the launch of digital TV South Africa’s state broadcaster, the SABC, told parliament on 21 September 2011 that it plans to bring 17 TV channels and an “interactive video service” on air after it launches its digital terrestrial television (DTT) offering, SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago recently confirmed.

LG Electronics South Africa launched its new range of Cinema TVs locally today (1 June 2011), saying that the televisions come with all the benefits of Passive 3D technology and none of the drawbacks one would expect.

Passive 3D is essentially the technology you see in cinemas screening 3D movies, while Active Shutter 3D technology has been used in high-quality TV displays by many different manufacturers and requires powered glasses.

Prices for Top TVs packages will increase on 1 July 2011, the satellite pay TV operator has confirmed.

Top TV explained that the increase in pricing is an “inflationary adjustment which any business faces when dealing with rising operational costs.” The cost of content and other rising prices contributed to a rise in operational costs, Top TV said.

Top TV said that one should consider that they have managed to keep off this adjustment until month 14 of their operations.

Broadband helps fuel the growth of existing TV offerings, but also fosters rampant piracy. What’s a TV network to do? Better broadband networks and new devices help fuel the growth for existing Premium television channels, but it allows the entry of lower cost competition (such as Hulu, Netflix, and even YouTube) and fosters rampant piracy.

Communications Minister Roy Padayachie delivered his budget vote speech in parliament today, shedding light in the Department of Communications’ plans in the telecoms and broadcasting space. One of the department’s focus areas is the migration from analogue to digital TV broadcasting.