from www.iol.co.za – Despite the outcry from several religious groups, SA satellite TV service TopTV will launch its 24-hour porn service next year.

Three adult channels, including Playboy TV will be available on a stand-alone separate bouquet offered by the pay TV service for R199 a month.

“The adult pack that is soon to be introduced on the TopTV platform comes on the back of research that has found there is a viable market for adult content in SA,” said Melinda Connor, spokeswoman for TopTV.

Connor said the identity of the other two channels in the porn bouquet would be announced closer to the launch time. She said the pay TV service would not be budged from its decision to launch.

“We have made ourselves available for engagement with these organisations and no one has come forward to have an open and frank discussion with us,” she said.

“We have issued various media releases and direct responses to most of the parties in question, however, it would seem their objections are not based on any of the information we have provided nor they do take such information into account.”

Connor said the groups had also ignored their calls for further direct engagement.

“It is the right of all adults to view content of their choice in the privacy of their homes. It is a personal choice that consenting adults are entitled to make,” she said.

“Adult material is already freely available on mobile telephones, the internet and at specialist outlets.”

Marius Liebenberg, TopTV’s senior vice president of sales and marketing said the content would be made available as a completely distinct, stand-alone package requiring a separate monthly subscription fee, and would not be integrated into the current bouquet of programmes and content.

“TopTV absolutely respects the right of any person who chooses not to subscribe to the adult pack,” said Liebenberg.

“However, there are many people in SA who enjoy viewing adult content, and who would like to do so in the privacy of their homes. The introduction of the adult pack of channels meets a market demand.”

Liebenberg said the pay TV service had taken every precaution to ensure the content could only be accessed by people older than 18 who had consciously made a decision to acquire the distinct adult pack.

These included a unique four-digit PIN code to prevent minors from accessing the material, and a secure method of delivery via a distinct pay TV platform. Each time an adult channel is chosen, the secret PIN will need to be entered.

“This will apply, too, when the TV set is turned on and during channel surfing in the normal course of TV viewing,” he added.

“This is a right enshrined in the SA constitution. It is a personal choice that consenting adults are entitled to make. Adult content is already freely available on mobile telephones, the internet, and at specialist outlets.”

However religious groups like the Christian Family Policy Institute in SA are furious.

“The Christian denominations and church affiliations support the view that the broadcasting of hardcore pornography on TV degrades and objectifies women and exposes children to harmful content,” said Errol Naidoo, director of the family policy institute.

“The broadcasting of pornography also fuels the sexual exploitation and abuse of women and children in society and devalues the family.”

Naidoo said the company’s assurances meant nothing.

Islamic organisation, the SA Muslim Network (Samnet) said that it too would be boycotting TopTV. President of the SA Hindu Maha Sabha, Ashwin Trikamjee, said the security offered by TopTV to protect the new porn bouquet was “not enough”.

“We reject it and will continue to protest and object to its introduction.”