Miss DStv versus Miss SABC decoder

Tomorrow the country’s most beautiful woman will be chosen. It is a day with a historical touch to it.

As hard as it would be to admit, most men would rather go for a beautiful woman than one with only a beautiful personality.

Life is about choices. If beauty makes you happy then you choose that. It is the same with other choices in life. A beautiful cellphone may not be the most functional, nor a beautiful vehicle. Perhaps even the same with decoders.

I got to thinking about this as I was preparing this article on the debate of which is the best decoder for Swaziland and which will last. Being a television critic I have been approached by a number of people on the issue of the looming SABC decoder blackouts and frankly I have had little answers or interest.

I do not own a free to air decoder, never have and probably never will. It is just a principle. SABC withdrew from providing a signal to Swaziland and so why should I run after them? They did not see it as profitable to be in the country so I do not see it profitable having them in my home.

But on the flipside there is no denying that SABC is more popular than our local television stations hence the massive sales they have made since this free to air decoders mitigated the then blackout. Ever since they hit our streets they have been retailing at over E1 200. My eyes almost popped out then when I saw an advert at one of the shops right in town screaming ‘SABC decoders E385!’

While assuring that they are here to stay the ‘sale’ leaves one with more questions than answers and it is a pity that no local broadcasting regulating body in the country has come out to state the official stand on the matter.
In other forums they claim that silence means consent. I would not like to believe that is the case even here.

Now back to the issue, should one buy the SABC decoder or the DSTV? In terms of beauty, DSTV surpasses its competitors. It is the Rolls Royce of decoders but in terms of relevant content to locals, SABC any day.
I am still trying to get over the fact that the Vodacom Challenge was not live on the Supersport Channels. I have DSTV and it has no SABC channels. I was so frustrated I just switched off the telly.

But on the whole DSTV has more to offer than the free to air decoders. It is a beauty with brains. If the two were to contest in their own Miss SD, the SABC decoder would lead during the voting lines because almost everyone has one and they just love SABC but during the actual contest DSTV would edge them because they have more content.

As for the rumours of the blackout, well it is a wait and see but the massive sales are raising question marks, but we hope they are in good faith. The interesting thing here though is that even if the decoder was to be yours at E300 for just four months it would not be a bad investment but what if it is for a shorter time?

Like I said it is about time the broadcasting authority shed light on this issue once and for all but as for me and my remote we will stick to what is not contentious for now until we get further details from the regulator. In the meantime watch this space.

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