e.tv (commonly referred to on-air as e) is television channel in south africa. it is the first and only privately owned free-to-air channel in the country, the channel is the fifth terrestrial channel in the country. it came after three channels that are operated by the state-owned south african broadcasting corporation and the privately owned subscription-funded m-net. in 1997, the e.tv channel bought the rights to broadcast english premier league (epl) matches. later on, they also bought the rights to broadcast uefa champions league matches.