GTV (Africa)

GTV (owned by Gateway Communications ) was a short-lived subscription satellite television operator that operated in several African countries. The operator provided subscription services at a low cost, as well as having a suite of its own channels.

History
In February 2007, Gateway Communications announced that it would enter the subscription television market. The service was to be rolled out in phases and would launch three channels exclusive to the operator, G-Prime, G-Sports 1 and G-Sports 2. The aim was to be a pay-TV operator for Africa, and one that didn't merely relay European or American content. In March it was decided that GTV would use the Eutelsat W3A satellite to deliver its services, aiming to increase the number of pay-TV subscribers in Africa. The first phase would see its service launched over East Africa, followed by West and Southern Africa. Another drawing point was the buying of 80% of the Premier League matches in order to lure new subscribers.

GTV was created to bring subscription television to less wealthy people, planning to bring subscription television at affordable prices.

GTV's growth was supported by a US$40 million investment from Swedish company Kinnevik and separate investments from other companies (Citigroup, Noonday Global Management and Avenue Investment Management).

GTV held its Botswanan consumer launch at the Fashion Lounge in Phalakane, Francistown in August 2007, promising its subscribers lower prices and competition, ending DStv's monopoly in the country. These tactics infuriated DStv, causing it to retaliate creating, among others, a low-cost package. The longer GTV operated in a country, the more stability it had. At closing time, GTV had 20,000 subscribers in Uganda. The number of markets on the other hand was relatively low.

The service launched in October 2007, beginning its regular service on the 27th of the month. There were 12 channels on offer, entertainment channel G-Prime, MTV Base, Kiss, three sports channels of its own, God Channel, MGM, BBC World, Sky News, TV5MONDE and the English service of Al-Jazeera. New channels were to be added, but not at the expense of its subscribers. African movies, mainly from Nollywood, were being gathered in order to deliver more African content on the provider. Four further channels were added in April 2008.

In 2008, GTV launched in Francophone markets to compete against the Canal+ Horizons package. The expansion came in at a complicated time for the operator, as its finances were starting to struggle.

With its finances worsening, Kinnevik sold its parent company, Gateway, to Vodacom.

On 30 January 2009, GTV entered liquidation, shutting down its service. Gateway had boosted its investments since 2007 primarily to launch the operator, but the international economic crisis of the time caused an excessive burden and the withdrawal of the service. Other factors included the paucity of channels in contrast to DStv.