Did DStv Read the Open Letter from the Disgruntled Viewer?

DStv, Africa’s premier cable network, has been in the market for more than a decade and understandably holds a monopoly, especially after the crash and burn of GTV in Kenya a few years ago.

Of late however, there have been disgruntled subscribers due to the poor signal when it’s raining (I mean that’s when we are all home watching tv!!), the channel bouquets (of course half of the subscribers are not going to pay Kshs 8,000 when they can pay Kshs 2,400!) and lastly, the quality of programs offered.

Last month Ghafla! showcased this high level of disappointment through a hilarious open letter by a viewer and DStv subscriber. Read about here.

This letter, to say the least, was hilarious and spot on! It projected the views of so many subscribers that not only was this article one of the highest ranking articles in Ghafla’s history, it also led to Team Ghafla’s discussion. Check it out here.

After the Ghafla! discussion the question that hang in the balance was: Did the good people at DStv answer open letter? Or did they at least recognise the disgruntled sentiments?

To my shock and amusement (or Ghafla bin vuu as bossman would have it!), DStv announced that they are changing and renumbering their channels beginning October 1st. Is this an answer to our cry? I surely hope so! DStv in a pre-recorded five-minute video starring the lucious IK, (popular for hosting BBA) and a female presenter tell their viewers of the programming changes.

Notably there are six new movie channels in different genres such as Comedy, Romance and Action (Channel 101-110). Further to this, they have moved what they are calling “lifestyle” channels closer to the movie channels such that the channels begin at Channel 114-120. The Documentary Channels which are currently all the way at Channel 260 onwards are now going to be between Channel 121-200.

Hmm, is this a marketing ploy or have DSTV really heard our cry? Let’s wait and see on October 1st.

For more information on this go to www.dstv.com

Article by Suzanne