More Kenyans to access digital Pay TV

COMPUTING

By Semaj Itosno, Nairobi, Kenya

Kenya’s Startimes Digital Pay TV services is now available in five more towns as the country gears to shift from analogue to digital broadcasting.

The company has rolled out to Nakuru, Nyeri, Eldoret, Webuye and Kakamega, marking a significant boost for the residents of these areas who have had television reception challenge,s but who will now access crystal clear audio and visual television content associated with digital technology.

Previously, the company’s Pay TV services were only available in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu, the major cities of the country.

“StarTimes intends to gradually build up a wireless digital TV platform based on DVB-T2 technology, which will not only contain colorful international channels, but also will incorporate all the analogue channels currently broadcast in Kenya. The digital signal transmission will first cover Nairobi and its environs and Kenya major cities by mid-2012 and the rest by end of 2012,” said Mr. Lee.

The development is a boost to the country’s efforts of switching from analogue to digital television platform as the company makes headway in having more Kenyans access digital television service.

“When we launched, we aimed to cover up to 65% of the Kenyan population by the end of the year, and it is now clear that we are very much on track. Our goal is to ensure the majority if not all households in the country have access to our world class digital television content at very affordable subscription charges,” said StarTimes Media Kenya Chief Executive Officer Mr. Leo Lee.

The company has also announced the addition of two more channels in its rich menu of channel options which will see the incorporation of Africa Movie Channel (AMC) and Eurosport News in the bouquet options at no extra cost.

Lee said Africa movie channel (AMC) will feature the best of African content including Nollywood movies, soap operas, drama, series, reality shows, comedy and much more entertainment for the whole family.

Eurosport News will feature the latest in Sports news, live scores and results from world’s leading soccer leagues, rugby, golf, tennis and cricket.

“With over 70 channel options now available on StarTimes, we will keep making it even better not only through competitive pricing but also spicing up our content in an effort to give value for money while keeping our subscribers informed and entertained,” said Mr. Leo Lee.

Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Beijing,  StarTimes media launched in the Kenyan market on July 25 2012.In East Africa, StarTimes has had a successful digital TV operation in Rwanda since 2006. The company is also operational in the main cities of Tanzania and Burundi.