eTV

What eTV does

e.tv (legal entity E.TV (PTY) LTD) is South Africa's largest independent free-to-air television channel, established in 1998 and operated as part of the eMedia Investments group, headquartered in Johannesburg. The company delivers a horizontally-targeted English-language broadcast to over 16 million viewers across all demographic groups, distributing its linear signal via terrestrial broadcast and through its wholly-owned satellite platform Openview, which had 3.8 million activated decoder households as of February 2026. Core technology comprises a free-to-air broadcast stack with satellite distribution and, since August 2021, a subscription-free streaming platform eVOD that reached approximately 600,000 registrations and 45 million monthly viewing minutes within 15 months of launch. The content slate is anchored by long-running local dramas and soap operas — including Scandal! (5,000+ episodes by October 2025), House of Zwide, Durban Gen, Isitha: The Enemy, Rhythm City, and Imbewu — supplemented by international sports rights (NBA), licensed formats (Family Feud South Africa with Steve Harvey, MasterChef South Africa), and children's programming (Takalani Sesame with Sesame Workshop).

e.tv's commercial model is three-pillared: (1) advertising revenue, the primary stream, monetizing 16M+ reach across FTA broadcast and Openview; (2) one-off hardware sales of Openview decoders, dishes, and installation with no recurring fees; and (3) content licensing, including a July 2026 Netflix deal to distribute original productions across Africa. Programming wins include 8 SAFTA Golden Horns at the 14th South African Film and Television Awards (2020), 7 Royalty Soapie Awards (2023), and 25 nominations at the 19th SAFTAs (2026). Distribution is further extended via seven specialty channels (eMovies, eMovies Extra, eExtra, eToonz, eReality, ePlesier, Openview News & Sport), a DStv channel 194 slot, and third-party streaming platform Whale TV (from March 2026). e.tv enforces regulatory rights to premium sports sub-licensing through ongoing Competition Commission and Competition Appeal Court actions against MultiChoice.

Name

eTV

Legal name

E.TV (PTY) LTD

Website

https://etv.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

e.tv is South Africa's largest independent free-to-air television channel, broadcasting English-language entertainment to over 16 million viewers since 1998. The eMedia-owned network monetizes mass reach through advertising, Openview satellite decoder sales, and a Netflix-licensed streaming platform (eVOD).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Television Broadcasting

NAICS

Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Satellite Telecommunications (517410)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

Video Streaming Platforms (SVOD/AVOD/TVOD) (BPAMAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

AVOD Streaming Channels (Ad-Supported OTT) (MPABAHAA)

Keywords

• Free-to-air television
• Television broadcasting
• Video streaming
• Satellite television
• Entertainment content

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Advertising Revenue: Primary revenue source through television advertising. The channel sells advertising slots during programming to brands targeting South African viewers across demographics.
2. Openview Decoder Sales: Openview free-to-air satellite platform generates revenue through once-off decoder, satellite dish, and installation sales. No monthly payments required from viewers.
3. Content Licensing: Revenue generated through licensing agreements for original content, such as the Netflix partnership bringing e.tv productions to international streaming platforms.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

eTV operates South Africa's largest independent free-to-air television network, offering multiple channels (e.tv, eExtra, eMovies, eMovies Extra, eToonz, eReality, and e.tv (Go)) along with the OpenView HD satellite television platform and the eVOD video-on-demand streaming service. The company broadcasts locally produced and international entertainment content to South African audiences across terrestrial, satellite, and digital platforms.

Product overview

e.tv operates as a multi-platform broadcasting company offering both traditional free-to-air television and digital streaming services. The core product is the e.tv free-to-air channel, South Africa's biggest independent TV channel. Supporting platforms include eVOD (subscription-free streaming), Openview (free-to-air satellite service in 3.5+ million homes), and multiple specialty channels (eMovies, eMovies Extra, eExtra, eReality, eToonz, ePlesier). The programming portfolio includes daily soap operas (Scandal!, Rhythm City), drama series (House of Zwide, The Phoenix, Emzini, uMbali), telenovelas (Isitha: The Enemy, Imbewu, The Black Door), medical drama (Durban Gen), reality shows (MasterChef SA), game shows (Family Feud SA), children's programming (Takalani Sesame), and breakfast shows (The Morning Show). The company also offers interactive features like Snap-e for viewer engagement and Power-UP! (discontinued anti-load shedding channel). Content is distributed across linear broadcast, satellite (Openview), and streaming (eVOD) platforms reaching over 16 million viewers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Openview: South Africa's first free-to-air satellite television service offering movies, news, sport, kids entertainment, Bollywood, reality shows, and telenovelas.
• eVOD
• eMovies
• eMovies Extra
• eExtra
• eToonz
• eReality
• ePlesier

Products and services

• e.tv The flagship free-to-air television channel of eMedia, and South Africa's biggest independent free-to-air TV channel. It broadcasts locally produced and international entertainment content to South African viewers.
• eExtra An entertainment-focused channel in the eMedia portfolio, dedicated to delivering feel-good entertainment content to South African audiences.
• eMovies A movie channel launched on 1 August 2015, providing South African audiences with a leading selection of entertainment and films.
• eMovies Extra An additional movie channel within the eMedia portfolio, complementing eMovies with extended movie entertainment content.
• eToonz A children's entertainment channel within the eMedia portfolio, delivering animated and child-friendly programming to South African audiences.
• eReality A reality television channel within the eMedia portfolio, focused on reality entertainment programming for South African viewers.
• e.tv (Go) A channel within the eMedia portfolio focused on on-the-go and mobile-friendly content viewing for South African audiences.
• OpenView HD A free satellite television platform operated by eMedia, providing South African viewers with access to free-to-air satellite channels including the eMedia channel lineup and a PVR (personal video recorder) service.
• eVOD eMedia's video-on-demand streaming service, providing South African audiences with digital streaming access to the company's content library.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 16 million viewers across programming
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NetflixcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 July 2026Content licensing partnership between e.tv and Netflix to bring selected e.tv original productions to Netflix audiences across Africa. The first title 'The Four of Us' debuted on e.tv and launched on Netflix within 24 hours of broadcast.
• Whale TVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 March 2026eVOD became available on Whale TV platform, expanding streaming accessibility for viewers.
• Black Brain PicturescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 26 May 2023Production company behind The Black Door telenovela and its spinoff Isitha: The Enemy. Announced Isitha as successor to The Black Door focusing on Sokhulu family story.
• Sesame WorkshopcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 April 2023Broadcasting partnership for Takalani Sesame, South Africa's beloved children's programme. The show airs in English and isiZulu, Mondays to Thursdays at 2:30PM. Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit organization behind the show.
• Bomb ProductionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 9 June 2021Production company producing House of Zwide, e.tv's high-fashion drama series. Partnered with VideoVision Entertainment on this production.
• VideoVision EntertainmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 9 June 2021Production company producing House of Zwide alongside Bomb Productions. CEO Anant Singh noted the show as their second series with e.tv.
• Stained Glass TVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 August 2020Multi-award-winning production house producing Durban Gen, e.tv's medical drama set in KwaZulu-Natal. The show reached 2 million viewers within two months of premiere.
• OpenviewcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 May 2020Openview is South Africa's first free-to-air satellite television service, currently in 3.8 million households. e.tv content is broadcast through this platform. Decoder purchased as once-off cost with no monthly payments.
• Cheeky MediacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 8 May 2020Production company producing The Morning Show breakfast programme for e.tv. Company led by MD Yusuf Stevens.
• G2 ConnectionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 March 2020Independent media company managing local integration and sponsorships for Family Feud South Africa. Led by Virginia Hollis and Gail Hoffmann Parrish.
• KFCminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 March 2020Headline sponsor of Family Feud South Africa. Giving away R10,000 in KFC vouchers weekly to the losing family plus cash prizes.
• NBA (National Basketball Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 November 2019Multiyear partnership making e.tv the official free-to-air broadcast partner of the NBA in South Africa. Broadcast more than 65 games per season including Christmas Day game, NBA All-Star, Conference Finals, The Finals, and weekly magazine show NBA Action.
• Steve Harvey GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 November 2019Partnership with Steve Harvey Global for Family Feud Africa. Steve Harvey hosts the iconic game show which aired from April 2020 with 26 episodes.
• FreemantleMedia LtdminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 November 2019Negotiated and executed the Family Feud Africa business deal on behalf of the international format.
• DEFY AppliancesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 November 2019Collaboration for Super Fans competition giving away two homes valued at R2 million each to celebrate Openview's 2 million home milestone.
• Rapid Blue TVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 23 October 2019Production company producing Family Feud South Africa on e.tv. Multi-award winning company known for bringing smash hits to South African screens including SA's Got Talent, Dancing With The Stars SA, and Bachelor SA.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SuperSport: MultiChoice-owned pan-African sports broadcaster. Relevant peer because premium sports (NBA, cricket) are a key driver of both viewership and advertising revenue for e.tv, and access is intermediated through MultiChoice negotiations.
• SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation): South Africa's public broadcaster operating free-to-air TV and radio channels (SABC1, SABC2, SABC3). Competes with e.tv for the same free-to-air, ad-funded, English/local-language audience and shares the same regulatory/ICASA framework.
• MultiChoice (DStv): Africa's largest pay-TV operator and e.tv's primary competitor across broadcast, satellite and streaming (DStv, Showmax). Subject of eMedia's Competition Tribunal actions over sports-rights sub-licensing — direct head-to-head on sports, local drama, and streaming.

Broad incumbents

• ITV plc: UK free-to-air commercial broadcaster funded primarily by advertising and running a streaming service (ITVX). Comparable business model mix (FTA broadcast + AVOD streaming + commissioned local content) and audience scale make it a useful listed proxy.
• Netflix (Sub-Saharan Africa operations): Global SVOD now actively licensing and commissioning African content (e.g., the 2026 e.tv partnership). Comparable as a streaming competitor and increasingly as a buyer/comparator for premium African content IP.
• Nine Entertainment: Australian FTA broadcaster with streaming arm (9Now, Stan). Ad-funded linear plus subscription/AVOD streaming is a comparable diversified broadcaster archetype.
• Channel 4 Corporation: UK publicly-owned free-to-air commercial broadcaster with a strong local-commissioned content slate and a streaming platform. Model mix (ad-funded linear + on-demand) is structurally similar to e.tv/eVOD.
• Seven West Media: Australian free-to-air commercial broadcaster with owned content production, BVOD streaming (7plus), and ad-supported revenue mix. Provides an Asia-Pacific listed comparable for e.tv's FTA + AVOD combination.

Regional players

• TNAfrica / Telemedia (TelOne / Zimbabwe peers): Regional African broadcasting/streaming operators in adjacent markets (e.g., Zimbabwe's TelOne/Platinum TV). Adjacent set of FTA satellite and streaming services operating under similar regulatory regimes but outside South Africa.

Emerging players

• Showmax (MultiChoice): MultiChoice's pan-African subscription streaming service. Direct substitute for eVOD and the most credible African streaming incumbent competing for the same broadband audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/etv
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ETV
• Facebookfacebook.com/etvSA
• Instagraminstagram.com/etvonline
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/etv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about eTV