Mzuzu residents want GOtv in the north
Despite being the third largest city in Malawi, Mzuzu residents do not have access to low-cost pay-television GOtv.
Since its launch two years ago, only Lilongwe, Blantyre and the surrounding areas have had access to the service.
GOtv, which uses the latest generation digital video broadcast, a cheaper selection of programming from Africa as well as international channels for as low as K2 500 ($5) per month for the standard services.
A group of entertainment fans, led by Emmanuel Kondowe, visited The Naton Mzuzu office to raise their concerns.
“We are surprised why we are denied to access GOtv? How can we be discriminated in such way? We deserve to be told why this is the case. There is Africa Cup of Nations coming and we want to watch it on GOtv,” said Kondowe.
In response, GOtvservice providers, MultiChoice Malawi, said they are working hard to ensure Mzuzu has the opportunity to access the service.
“The issue is broad; it requires a lot of things to establish the facility. We look at geographical position and customer availability. However, we are working on that although we can’t specify when exactly we will be ready,” said MultiChoice Malawi sales and marketing manager Chimwemwe Nyirenda.
He added that proper communication regarding their Mzuzu venture will be communicated when things are set.
GOtv has become famous with its various types of programming that include sports, news, children’s programming, documentaries, series and movies.
To access GOtv, customers need to purchase a decoder and its antenna which are currently selling at a special introductory price of K35 500 and include three months GOtv Plus viewing.
Some of the channels available on GOtv are Africa Magic, BET, and ETC Africa, Channel O, MTV Base, Sony Max, Supersport Select as well as Discovery World, NAT GEO Wild, KidsCo and Disney Junior.
State broadcaster Malawi Broadcasting Cooperation (MBC) TV is also available on the digital terrestrial television.
Malawi becomes the fourth country to have the GOtv service after Kenya, Zambia and Uganda rolled out two years ago.
With the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations starting next weekend in Equatorial Guinea, Malawians are set to enjoy soccer entertainment with some of the games live on GOtv.
