eBotswana, a sister company of SA free-to-air television broadcaster e.tv, is in court this week seeking an application against state-owned broadcast signal distributor Sentech over the latter’s alleged failure to secure the encryption on its Vivid digital satellite platform.

The Botswana broadcaster alleges that Sentech is not encrypting SABC channels broadcast to Botswana, leading to pirate viewing of the channels and damaging the central Southern African nation’s broadcasting sector.

Sentech’s Vivid encryption system is not secure and eBotswana alleges the company has done nothing to rectify the problems. eBotswana is asking the high court to take action against Sentech for “failing to take all reasonable steps necessary to prevent pirate viewing of SABC channels in Botswana”. The matter is due to be heard on Thursday.

E.tv spokesman Vasili Vass says the problems with the Vivid platform are having a negative impact on free-to-air broadcasters across the Southern African Development Community region.

eBotswana GM Dave Coles estimates that about 70% of Botswana population is watching the pirated SABC channels. This, he says, is “seriously damaging growth in the local broadcast, production and advertising industries through the loss of potential advertising revenue”.

“Sentech has failed to maintain the encryption system on its Vivid platform, which has led to the piracy,” Coles says.

“Despite repeated requests from eBotswana since 2009 and Sentech’s undertakings to parliament that it would upgrade the encryption by March 2011, it has failed to do so. Due to Sentech’s failure to maintain the encryption system, the SABC signal is currently being pirated off Sentech’s Vivid Bouquet with the use of a satellite receiver commonly referred to as the Philiboa.”

Sentech indicated last year that it may close its Vivid business after failing to build a compelling alternative to MultiChoice’s DStv. Company spokesman Nthabeleng Mokitimi could not immediately be reached for comment. — Staff reporter, TechCentral