DStv’s low income pay tv service, GOtv, mysteriously goes off air

Tendai Mupaso Avatar

This may not been news to affected GOtv users but we got word that the DStvs low income pay tv service, GOtv, has been off air since 31 January leaving clients without viewing. We called the DStv call center and the unsuspecting attendant confirmed that GOtv is experiencing a “slight challenge” which is still under investigation and she said there are is no timeline as to when service will be back up.

Contrary to some reports , GOtv did communicate the problem to clients via text citing transmission problems. On 7 February GOtv also made a statement on their Facebook page citing “issues beyond their control”.

GOTV's statement on their Facebook page
GOtv’s statement on their Facebook page

However, the duration of the transmission glitch and the secrecy surrounding this outage (even the official GOtv website is mum on this outage) has opened room for speculation around the lines that transmission may have been cut, for business rather than technical reasons. Maybe a dispute with a partner or authorities?

The timing of the outage (31 January) also suggests a deadline may have been at play. In 2012, MultiChoice reportedly clashed with MultiChoice South Africa over $2 million in unpaid subscriptions held up in a local bank.

GOtv was introduced in 2013 and is probably the first Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) service provided in Zimbabwe on a relatively wide scale. It’s not clear how many households are using GOtv in Zimbabwe but the loss of services has left some very unhappy.

Here’s a comment from a disgruntled GOtv subscriber posted on answers.techzim.co.zw.

I am a subscriber to DSTV’S GOTV which just went off air on 31st January without explanation or warning  I am stranded because I had discarded my old WizTech decoder and unfortunately for me my TV set does not show good picture quality of the local station,  thus I am now stuck with a GOTV decoder displaying “NO SERVICE AVAILABLE” only.

I am particularly disgusted with the gross unprofessional behaviour of DSTV staff – no excuse and no updates on developments. Their arrogance is stinking and very ancient.

Can someone in the know of developments update us?

We are still pressing for a statement from MultiChoice Zimbabwe and still waiting for a response. We will update as soon as we get an official statement.

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One response

  1. purple

    think these guys shld be offered the option to switch in their Gotv decoders for Satellite Decorders

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