Cell C has launched a range of low-cost prepaid data bundles to allow users to stream content from its new Black video-on-demand platform, at an in-bundle rate of as low as 1c/MB.
Contract subscribers on Cell C’s Pinnacle plans get various data bundles free of charge monthly to watch Black content.
“The idea to prevent consumers from getting bill shock,” Cell C CEO Jose Dos Santos said at the launch of Black in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
The company also announced “Black Friday” deals for 24 November for both prepaid and contract customers.
Under those deals, prepaid users who recharge with between R50 and R99.99 get zero-rated access for two days (with a 50GB fair-use policy). Recharging with R100 or more gets the same, but with 100GB fair use.
Contract users (Connector and Pinnacle 100 and above) get zero-rated streaming of any movie rental for 30 days (150GB fair-use policy).
The operator has launched a number of prepaid bundles, ranging from R30 for 1GB of data for use with Black up to R1 499 for 200GB. Large bundles above 50GB have 180-day validity, while smaller ones expire 30 days after purchase.
Consumers on contract Pinnacle packages get between 1GB (Pinnacle 100) to 20GB of data included free of charge monthly for use with Black. (See the images below from taken at Tuesday’s launch event for more details on the contract and prepaid plans.)
Cell C also unveiled its set-top box for video streaming, which has been developed by ZTE. The box, which is powered by Android, costs R1 499. The company recently told TechCentral that Cell C fibre-to-the-home subscribers will get the Black set-top box for free.
Dos Santos used Tuesday’s launch to reveal, too, that Cell C has signed a partnership with US television network operator Fox to offer various Fox channels on Black, including the controversial Fox News Channel, Fox Sports, National Geographic and Nat Geo Wild, among others.
Fox+, Fox’s video-on-demand platform, is also being launched as part of Black. This will offer on-demand access to popular shows such as The Walking Dead, Empire, Modern Family and others.
Cell C said in early November that it has invested a “couple of hundred million” rand in the platform. “This content doesn’t come cheap,” Dos Santos said.
Black offers 66 streaming linear television channels at launch, and a wide range of on-demand content.
Dos Santos said Black will have all the latest movies as soon as they come off the cinema circuit. About 450 of the latest movies are available, along with local and international TV series.
A range of Barclays Premiership football games are available, too (after the fact), with plans to bid for local sports rights. Dos Santos said he hopes to secure rights to show the next Rugby World Cup. Local content will also be commissioned.
Users can access Black using iOS and Android apps (called GetBlack), as well as an Android-powered TV set-top box, he said. Access to sports content will be available for as little as R5/day. Access to the full suite of channels and other content costs R389/month. — © 2017 NewsCentral Media
