Sentech, the state-owned signal distribution company, has unveiled Freevision Play, a new over-the-top (OTT) video streaming service that grants South Africans complimentary access to a variety of local television and radio channels.
This initiative, which was first proposed back in April 2013, has now come to fruition, offering a digital solution for residents to stream TV content online. Freevision Play is accessible to anyone in South Africa with an internet connection and is compatible across multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs.
To utilize the service, users can download the Freevision Play app from their device’s app store or navigate to the Freevision Play website.
Sentech acknowledges the existing hurdles that many South Africans face in accessing high-quality content and reliable information. Freevision Play aims to overcome these obstacles by using existing broadband infrastructure to deliver premium content at no cost, thus promoting education, information dissemination, and entertainment throughout the community.
The platform is not only advantageous for viewers but also for local broadcasters. It provides them with the opportunity to extend their reach to a wider audience without incurring the substantial costs associated with creating and maintaining their own OTT services. This expansion can lead to increased viewership and the potential for more advertising revenue.
Sentech emphasizes that Freevision Play absorbs the initial investment costs and establishes a multi-tenant platform. This arrangement offers a diverse selection of content for viewers and listeners, while simultaneously opening up new audience segments for broadcasters.
At present, Freevision Play hosts channels such as KZN TV, Cape Town TV, Soweto TV, Tshwane TV, Faith.tv, and even a dedicated stream for the Presidential Inauguration. The streaming quality varies by channel, with the Presidential Inauguration stream offering up to 1080p resolution, while others like Cape Town TV and Tshwane TV provide a maximum of 576p.
The service features ad-supported channels, aiming to provide a flexible and user-friendly viewing experience without subscription fees.
In addition to Freevision Play, Sentech continues to offer Freevision, its direct-to-home satellite television service, which requires a satellite dish and decoder for access. While Freevision relies on satellite technology, Freevision Play takes advantage of internet connectivity to deliver a more versatile and easily accessible option for content consumption, according to Sentech.
Back in April 2013, Setumo Mohapi, who was the CEO of Sentech at the time, made an announcement about the company’s intention to launch an online streaming service that would focus on local South African content. This decision was influenced by global trends, and Sentech aimed to ensure that South Africa kept pace with international advancements in digital content distribution.
Mohapi shared that Sentech was in the process of developing a multimedia content distribution platform, which was a key component of the company’s strategic plan for the 2013 to 2016 period. While details were sparse, he mentioned that a URL had been registered for the service and projected that the platform would be operational by the end of the second quarter of 2013. However, this launch did not materialize as expected.
It wasn’t until February 2023 that Sentech provided more information about the project. Kopano Thage, who served as the acting chief marketing and sales officer, emphasized the importance of local broadcasters being accessible on all distribution platforms, particularly in light of South Africa’s digital migration journey.
Thage pointed out the difficulties that customers faced in creating their own streaming services, often due to a lack of capability, expertise, and resources. To support these customers, Sentech collaborated with Nemisa to develop Nemisa TV, which focuses on video, audio, and animation content.
Stanley Similo, the former president of the South African Broadcasting Association, expressed support for Sentech’s OTT platform initiative. He commended the progress made by Sentech and advocated for the continuation of such efforts.
Stephen Watson, the executive director of Discover Digital, also voiced his approval. He stated that Sentech’s involvement in the streaming space was appropriate, given its commitment to providing comprehensive broadcast distribution services to its clientele.
