Read this beautifully written editorial titled “Before We Get Too High On TSTV,” you are sure to enjoy it.
At first, it gave the impression of a badly-intentioned prank. I imply, h0w ingenious is a reputation like TSTV which feels like a parody of DSTV? But there may be certainly going to be one other satellite tv f0r pc tv firm offering direct to house companies to Nigerians. TSTV (Telcom Satellíte TV) was formally launched on Sunday, October 1, 2017, whích was additionally Nigeria’s Independence Day. Not positive if there was any symbolism meant; you realize, like TSTV liberating Nigerian TV viewers? But who’s TSTV anyway? In their very own phrases on their web site, that ís how they describe themselves, “TSTV Africa ís a wholly-owned Nigerian revolutionary pay TV operator.”
As far as arrivals g0, TSTV certainly arrived in a blaze of glory. Among different issues, this wholly -Nigerian firm has snagged a three-year tax-free bundle from the Federal Government as introduced by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed on the launch. In return, TSTV is promising, “refined choices of novel Pay As You View Subscription, Pause Subscription, Complimentary Internet service, video name and an array of fantastic TV channels with premium leisure, informative and educative programmes that lower throughout all genres.”
Now, so far as expectations go, they’re high proper at this second. Not that many individuals want a lot convincing to be excited on the arrival of ‘low-cost’ (if that’s your factor) or ‘reasonably priced’ or ‘versatile’ satellite tv for pc TV. Even me, at this level in my family, I might do with a less expensive subscription. I actually am paying for greater than I want. At the very least, give me one thing extra versatile. Really, virtually everybody matches into (or can admire) any of those classes. If circuitously for themselves, for relations maybe.
So we can get it out of the way in which that TSTV does sound very enticing. But earlier than we get too high on expectations, there are some things we have to unpack. First, let’s take a look at the advertising of TSTV as this ‘wholly Nigerian’ deliverer Superman firm. We’ve been down that highway earlier than. The defunct HITV was promoted as being wholly Nigerian. Not solely that, it was touted because the redeemer, large killer. One outstanding enterprise newspaper did a entrance web page story on how HITV was coming in to set broadcasting requirements. Before it had even existed for a couple of months! Technically, irrespective of how promising a enterprise enterprise appears to be like, particularly one during which another person has a substantial head begin, doesn’t it make sense to function for some time earlier than making gargantuan claims?
In any case at the very least, HITV now represents a free case examine of what can go incorrect; there’s a lot to select from. The ill-advised determination to amass the rights to EPL for starters. For a teeny second, it seemed like HITV was in some way going to tug off besting DSTV, their arch Goliath. But its providing by the use of content material was actually skinny. The technical and visible output was beneath what already existed. And but, this was the corporate that was going to set new (high) requirements for others to observe?
I did attempt to attract individuals’s consideration to those contradictions however I used to be accused of supporting foreign-make that South African company-to the detriment of a Nigerian firm. Meanwhile, for all intents and functions, HITV was no NITEL. This was a non-public enterprise concern. And I used to be a paying buyer. I wasn’t getting it any cheaper as a result of I’m a Nigerian. And ultimately, I and plenty of others have been left holding our antiquated decoders. President Obasanjo after which Information minister, Frank Nweke didn’t come to anybody’s help.
Now, one other minister of knowledge, who simply occurs to desire Senegalese jollof rice is whipping up ‘wholly Nigerian’ sentiments. As if all our issues are brought on by non-Nigerians. On one hand, we say we wish to appeal to overseas companies to Nigeria however on the opposite hand, when it fits us, we get into this mob/herd frenzy. What’s wholly Nigerian anyway? TSTV is partnering with ABS which could be very laudable. But ABS isn’t Nigerian; not even African. How lots of TSTV’s gear which I’m positive are land breaking are made/assembled in Nigeria? If I seem to have taken a particular subject with ‘wholly Nigerian,’ do bear with me. You see, it’s solely just a few days after my household and I barely escaped being deported again to Abia State as a result of we are Igbos. And we are all wholly Nigerians.
Nonetheless TSTV could be marketed on the premise of high quality. Not simply by phrases however by way of motion. So why not let your companies communicate? Speaking of which, I’ve been going on the TSTV web site, and surprisingly, many sections are nonetheless being up to date. When you click on on say ‘Fix A Problem’, TV Guide’’, ‘Contact US,’ the drop downs return empty.
And let’s get my factors straight; I’m not towards TSTV, or its arrival on the scene. In truth, I welcome TSTV. I welcome the competitors. I wish to spend as little as attainable for probably the most content material which I imagine most viewers need. But we should know precisely what we are stepping into. So that viewers usually are not left, once more, holding failed decoders. That’ll be the actual ‘tearsTV.’
Source: Punch Nigeria
