StarTimes Media, a digital Pay TV company has officially
launched its services in Kenya, following successful signal testing for the
last one month. StarTimes Media, which has a global subscription base of over 7
million viewers in China and Africa, will broadcast on digital platform, with
the signal being provided by Pan African Networks.
Speaking at the launch, the chief guest The Right Hon. Prime
Minister Raila Odinga congratulated StarTimes Media for investing in the
country saying that its entry will help grow the broadcasting industry.
“The entry of StarTimes into this market will serve as a
boost to the broadcasting industry, which the government recently reorganized
to separate signal distributors from content providers. I am happy to note that
StarTimes is broadcasting on digital platform, which the government advocates
and is currently educating the public on.” said Hon Raila Odinga.
The Prime Minister also said that the country’s dedicated
efforts to meet the global 2015 Digital switchover deadline is real, and it is
with the efforts of corporates like StarTimes that will help the country
realize this goal.
StarTimes Media launched its operations globally in 1988,
and expanded to Africa in 2008, Rwanda being its first project. Today,
StarTimes is in over seven countries across Africa including Guinea, Nigeria,
Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Central Africa and now Kenya. Other projects have
been completed and put into trial operation.
“Our entry into this market is informed by research done
over a period of two years, which showed the existence of gap in the
broadcasting industry, where the penetration of Pay TV is very low and what is
currently available is out of reach for majority of the Kenyans. The research
also showed that there is opportunity for the development of Digital
broadcasting which is barely available in this market,” said StarTimes Chairman
Mr. Pang.
The company will offer home entertainment and portable TV
solutions including car TV and mobile TV guaranteeing uninterrupted, crystal
clear audio and visual reception thereby guaranteeing
content at the comfort of consumers home as well as on the move.
Banking on a strong signal and continued network expansion
in the country, StarTimes will provide a competitive edge in the pay TV market
as the company targets the mass market with the most affordable decoder and
subscription service in the country today.
For just Ksh 2,999, customers will acquire Communication
Commission of Kenya approved DVB – T2 technology decoders that are user
friendly given that they are plug and play thereby eliminating the hustle of
having to install a satellite dish.
In Addition, StarTimes has
initiated an exercise to replace any Startimes DVB - T1 decoder bought before
May 2012 with the new approved StarTimes DVB - T2 decoder at no extra cost. The
customer will only be required to pay subscription thereby ensuring uninterrupted
television service.
StarTimes currently boasts of the most affordable
subscription service in the market. From as low as Ksh 499 for the basic
package, Kenyans will be in a position to enjoy different genres of programming
ranging from sports, documentaries, music, movies, kids shows and religious
channels not to mention the most comprehensive inclusion of the free to air
channels currently available on analogue in Kenya which will now be available
on digital in all the StarTimes packages.
In his address, the minister for Information and
Communication Hon. Samuel Poghisio observed that “More investors in the
broadcasting sector present a positive outlook for the broadcasting industry in
the near future, with more players, there will be increased demand for content
which will in turn present opportunities to exploit talents and earn a living
through production and related engagements”.
StarTimes will be borrowing from its rich history and success
in other African markets to further present value for money for its customers
by enabling them to watch what they want.
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