South Africa’s eMedia Strengthens Broadcast Operations: Icareus Playout platform provides EPG, over-the-air updates and datacasting
Helsinki, 28.8.2025, Icareus, a global leader in broadcast and streaming technology, has delivered its trusted broadcast platform Icareus Playout, an EPG, datacasting and OTA (over-the-air) update solution to eMedia.
eMedia is the parent company of some of South Africa’s most popular media brands, including e.tv, the country’s first and only privately owned free-to-air television channel, and Openview, South Africa’s leading free-to-air satellite TV platform with over 3 million active households. With a growing bouquet of channels and a mission to provide accessible, quality television to all South Africans.
e.tv sought to upgrade its EPG solution and datacasting platform with a flexible and proven system. The requirements were demanding, involving complex workflows, multiple integrations, and compatibility with bespoke Openview set-top boxes.
The Icareus EPG solution serves as the central component, managing the complexity of e.tv’s Openview platform, which includes both free-to-air channels and pay-TV bouquets. To meet e.tv’s unique needs, custom DVB descriptors were developed. The platform also acts as an EPG hub, feeding data not only to the broadcast network but also to third-party partners.
To maintain its leading market position, e.tv continuously develops and upgrades its set-top boxes. The Icareus platform is tightly integrated with e.tv’s set-top box management system, supporting middleware updates, user interface personalization, VOD content updates, and the delivery of enhanced program and channel information through datacasting.
About Icareus Playout
Icareus Playout is a robust and future-ready broadcast service management platform designed for DVB environments. Its modular architecture allows it to scale with evolving business requirements, while proven integrations with multiplexers, EPG data providers, network management systems and the Icareus Video Cloud ensure reliable deployments and operational excellence. Together with our global reseller and system integrator partners, we help broadcasters and operators deliver broadcast-grade services with confidence.
In continuous production since 2004, Icareus Playout is trusted by leading operators and broadcasters across 50 countries. The product family includes the Icareus Playout EP PSI/SI and EPG server, the Icareus CS DSM-CC Carousel Server for HbbTV and other interactive TV standards, the Icareus Playout DVB OTA-SSU Server for over-the-air updates, and the Icareus Playout Compact Lab solution for developing, testing and validating TV services.
More information: https://icareus.com/products/icareus-playout-broadcast-service-management-platform/
About Icareus Ltd
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Icareus Ltd has spent over two decades at the intersection of online and broadcast technologies. We have played an active role in the industry’s evolution from traditional linear TV to today’s multi-screen and hybrid viewing experiences. Our solutions are used by millions of viewers worldwide through our broadcaster, operator, OTT and video platform customers in more than 60 countries. Our customer base includes organisations such as Arqiva, BBC, Cyfrowy Polsat, DU, Dialog TV, ETV, EveryoneTV, France 24, Intelsat, Persidera, RAI and Telespazio.
Our portfolio includes the Icareus TV & Video Cloud and Icareus Playout, our trusted broadcast platform offering EPG, data carousel and OTA update solutions for HbbTV, OTT, TV Everywhere, Addressable TV and audience measurement.
More information: http://www.icareus.com
About eMedia
eMedia Investments is South Africa’s largest independent media company and one of the most influential players in the African broadcasting market. Its flagship channel, e.tv, was the country’s first free-to-air commercial station and remains one of the most-watched networks nationwide. In addition, eMedia operates Openview, South Africa’s leading free-to-air direct-to-home satellite television platform, serving more than 3 million households with a diverse and growing bouquet of channels.
Over the years, it has expanded into a multi-channel platform, launching spin-off channels like eMovies, eReality, eExtra, and eToonz via the Openview satellite platform.
For more information visit: http://www.etv.co.za/
