StarTimes Media has today announced major expansion plans targeting rural Kenya that will see the company’s digital terrestrial television service being accessed across more Counties.
The company whose current offering includes pay television, free to air digital television services and digital television sets seeks to grow the subscriber base through extending access at the county level across Kenya.
StarTimes digital terrestrial television service will now be available in more Counties including Garissa, Kitui, Kapenguria, Embu, Trans-Nzoia and Laikipia raising the number with the company’s digital television access to over 30 counties.
Subscribers across these regions will have access to both Pay Television and Free to air digital television services with the option of upgrading from free to air to Pay TV at will and vice versa, without the need to purchase another set top box.
Speaking on this latest development, StarTimes Vice President Mr. Mark Lisboa noted that the overwhelming reception for digital television service seen this far confirms that Kenya’s appetite for rich television content at affordable subscription rates continues to grow as StarTimes remains in the forefront in providing access beyond urban centers.
“We intend to ride on our current 70% digital television network coverage in the country to extend the reach of our informative, educative and entertaining channel offering to more Kenyans key in not only growing our market share but also giving them an enviable choice that will enrich their television viewing experience”, noted Mr. Lisboa.
StarTimes has set the pace in extending its digital television footprint that will see the population within these and more counties access affordable digital television service.
This development is a boost to the company’s expansion plans with the increased coverage of the terrestrial television signal complementing the satellite television service which currently covers 100% of the country thereby enabling Kenyans to have more affordable digital television service options.
StarTimes projects that it will have invested over USD 75 million with the achievement of a 100% digital terrestrial network cover in the country in its quest to make digital television a reality across all Counties in Kenya.
This will be key in ensuring the country does bridge the digital divide that currently exists as it will ensure more Kenyans get access to high quality audio and video television reception, have a variety of enhanced broadcasting applications, multimedia data as well as additional channels that will not only inform but also entertain.
Currently, StarTimes operates in over 16 African countries with a combined subscriber base of over 10 million and still growing.
“We will continue investing heavily in the digital television sector as we seek to meet increased viewership demands”, concluded Mr. Lisboa.
