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Tag: StarTimes

  • ‘How StarTimes facilitated digital migration’

    ‘How StarTimes facilitated digital migration’

    With the expiration of the June 17 deadline set by the  International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for digital migration by all it member countries, Tanzania, one of the few ountries in Africa that met the deadline, has said StarTimes played a very important role in its success story.

    Many African countries, including Nigeria,  were unprepared and missed the deadline.

    Laura Oloyede, MD/CEO, Laura & Lloyd Communications who spoke  at the  5th African Digital TV Development Seminar in Beijing, China, said Tanzania  beat other African countries to it. Oloyede attributed this success to the countries partnership with StarTimes.

    According to Oloyede, Tanzania started the process of analogue to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) in 2006 when it amended its broadcasting laws to accommodate digital broadcasting. “This was after the announcement by the International Telecommunication Union which found many African countries unprepared to undertake the required task of migration. The country however started the Analogue Switch Over on 31st December 2012 and completed 30th April, 2015 when all analogue television transmitters were switched off,” she revealed.

    Narrating the successful transition process in Beijing at the Seminar organised by StarTimes, Tanzania’s Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Dr. Fenella Mukangara, said; “We merged with StarTimes so it was very possible to have a company which was dedicated specifically to the purpose and funding obtained through StarTimes and they managed to sort everything out; otherwise it was not a very easy task.

    “Our government, through the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) allowed introduction of DTH to complement the DTT services. With that, Tanzania now has 100% digital signal coverage using DTT and DTH. I’m glad to inform this meeting that, Tanzania has managed to have smooth and successful migration from analogue to digital television ahead of the set ITU deadline of 17th June, 2015,” Mukangarasaid.

    Reiterating its commitment to Nigeria, StarTimes President, Mr Pang XinXing, said that Nigeria can leverage on the support that StarTimes provides for Africa. He added that, StarTimes is aimed at ensuring that every household in Nigeria can enjoy digital TV.

    “We are so delighted and proud to be the partner of choice for BUNDESLIGA and look forward to support their continued growth in the region,” he said.

  • StarTimes introduces new channels

    StarTimes introduces new channels

    StarTimes is introducing new channels to enrich its content and enhance access for viewers to digital TV experience.

    The firm said five new sought-after channels with other fresh additions across its four bouquets are part of the deal.

    According to the pay TV, the new channels include Iroko Play, Iroko Plus, AMC Series, Star Zone and Star Sport Focus. While Star Sport Focus came live in March, other channels will be viewed by customers from May 1.

    Its Public Relations Manager,  Mr. Israel Bolaji, said the developments and direction are borne out of the company’s desire and commitment to offer value by enhancing access, improving content, further breaking barriers between the people and the platform and deepening digital TV penetration in Nigeria.

    “Our efforts are also geared towards closing the huge gap between the people and digital TV switch campaign, by creating a robust and improved digital television experience that is constantly refreshed. Increasingly, more Nigerians can also gain access to an impactful and explosive digital television experience.

    He said: “With all these offerings and value, our decoder is available for N990 with N2,400 minimum recharge of any choice bouquet for new customers while our  bouquet price is  now basic for N1,200, classic for N2,400 and unique for N3,600 monthly respectively effective from April 18.

    “To also support our customers further, we are announcing a special offer for customers. If you recharge before April 18, you can pay the old price for as many months as desired and enjoy the new package. For example, if you pay N6000 on classic bouquet before April 18, you can enjoy three months viewing on classic, but after April 18, you can only watch for two months and two weeks with N6000.“

  • Startimes drives digital TV switch over

    Startimes drives digital TV switch over

    As consumers gear up towards migration from analogue to digital broadcasting as the global deadline draws close, StarTimes, the popular PayTV, has introduced the Nova bouquet package which is aimed at facilitating a smooth and convenient transition for consumers who are still on the analogue television.

    Research reveals the current estimate of Nigerians on analogue to be about two of three consumers while one of three is already on cable or digital.

    Though, currently consumers are still enjoying both analogue and digital television, there is a global mandate from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) of which Nigeria is a member for all nations to broadcast television by digital by June 17th this year.

    According to the decision of the Regional Radio Conference of 2006 in Geneva, Switzerland (RRC-06) under the auspices of the ITU, the regulatory body ITU is expected to switch off analogue and switch on digital broadcasting by June this year.

    What this implies is that consumers who are on analogue television will no longer be able to get channels and signal transmission except if they get a decoder which has to be connected to their analogue television.

    However, for those who already have decoders, they do not need to buy another one but must switch it on in order to watch their television. Research reveals that about 54.4 million Nigerian households are already connected to digital service.

    The process is driven by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) with other service providers and stakeholders who are collaborating with government to make it a reality in Nigeria this year.

    It could be recalled that Nigeria kicked off the transmission from analogue to digital broadcasting with StarTimes fagging off and switching on digital transmission in June 2014 in Jos, Plateau State, as a pilot phase.

    However, towards making the digital television more accessible for millions of Nigerians who are still on the analogue system, StarTimes launched the affordable Nova bouquet ahead of the digital switch over deadline. It allows consumers pay about N17 per day to watch 15 exciting local and international channels.

    Mr. Israel Bolaji, the Public Relations Manager, StarTimes Nigeria, noted that the Nova bouquet which will remain permanent and is the fourth bouquet available on StarTimes was specially designed for the entry level customers. “Its introduction was aimed at further facilitating a smooth and convenient transition from analogue to digital broadcasting by creating the most affordable bouquet that anyone can afford.”

    In an interview with Bolaji in his StarTimes office at Afribank House, Fatai Atere Way, Mushin Lagos, he explained that the new bouquet which was recently launched will be retailing for just N500 a month which translates to about N17 per day.

    “Nova is the latest bold move by StarTimes to enable consumers conveniently switch over and enjoy full digital television experience while offering eight international and seven local channels,” said Bolaji.

    How does this switch over benefit the consumer? you may be wondering. The primary difference and advantage of digital broadcasting is the use of multiplex transmitters to allow reception of multiple channels on a single frequency range known as sub channels.

    While analogue television requires a large amount of bandwidth to transmit sound and picture, digital signals require much less bandwidth and therefore carry more content and provide better quality pictures and sound.

    It is noteworthy that the rest of the world is migrating to digital broadcasting and analogue broadcasting will not be protected from interference after this year.

    As a platform for digital migration, the StarTimes Public Relations Manager said that StarTimes is committed to the success of the programme and therefore will enable consumers overcome entry barriers through affordability and customer-centred after sales services that will swiftly manage challenges faced by subscribers.

    “We are poised to aid Nigerians migrate successfully from analogue to digital television transmission and revolutionise the digital broadcasting industry by providing quality digital television experience that is enjoyable and accessible,” he stated.

    However, even with a few months to the global switch over, many consumers among whom are the educated and non educated are still in the dark about it. A majority of them do not know what it entails.

  • StarTimes introduces Nova

    StarTimes introduces Nova

    To enable more Nigerians switch over to and enjoy digital television, StarTimes has launched its newest and most affordable bouquet called Nova ahead of the digital switch over deadline in 2015.

    The Nova bouquet went live nationwide on Monday, February 9. It is permanent and becomes the fourth bouquet available on StarTimes, specially designed for the entry level customers. Its introduction was aimed at further facilitating a smooth and convenient transition from analogue to digital broadcasting by creating the most affordable bouquet that anyone can afford. This is really to make it easier and comfortable for more Nigerians to get access and enjoy digital television without stress or missing their favorite television programmes when the analogue TV gets switched off later in 2015.

    The Nova bouquet will be retailing at just N500 per month giving more new subscribers access to a digital television experience with over 15 channels; 8 international channels, including Star Kungfu; Star Music; Star Dadin Kowa (Hausa Channel); E-Stars (Nollywood); Child Smile; CCTV-News; TBN; IQRAA and about 7 local Channels, including NTA news 24; NTA Sports; AIT; Channels TV; Silverbird; NTA Local; other state TV stations and other analogue TV stations such as TVC, MiTV, Super Screen and Galaxy.

    Public Relations Manager, (StarTimes) NTA Star-TV Network, said Mr. Israel Bolaji,  said the new digital TV bouquet was designed to offer new subscribers an affordable bundle that makes switching over to digital TV more convenient, promote refreshing television experience and create values that will deepen digital television penetration in Nigeria.

    In the coming days, more Nigerians will have to acquire type approved digital set top boxes, most of those, who will be affected by the switch over in 2015 are first time buyers. “We observed that the cost of acquiring the decoders is a major factor to growing access; we have therefore, considered making it very affordable for them to acquire and access our digital television service. We have also strengthened our customer feedback and interactive points like the call centre and after sales support services to further bolster our offering,” noted Mr. Bolaji.

    Bolaji observed that the move was advised by the company’s mission to ensure that every household enjoys digital television, noting that the company has rolled out extensive after sales services to ensure the best customer experience with the StarTimes set top box. “This is our strategy to ensure all Nigerians have access to digital television,” he said.

    He continued: “We are committed to a smooth transition from analogue to digital broadcasting while enabling Nigerians to overcome entry barriers through affordability as we equally showcase our premium channel offering and customer centered after sales services that will swiftly manage any challenges faced by our customers.”

  • StarTimes rewards customers

    Pay TV operator, StarTimes Nigeria, has rewarded subscribers who emerged winners in the second draw of the StarTimes Christmas promo.

    The subscribers, according to a statement by the company’s Public Relations Manager, Israel Bolaji, went home with StarTimes 32 inches LED TV sets and luxury sofas courtesy of Bedmate furniture.

    The statement quoted Bolaji saying: “StarTimes is spreading the reach of digital television through this promo by ensuring every Nigerian has access to rich digital TV entertainment that is affordable and available to every Nigerian.”

    Mr. Bolaji, in the statement, said that the promo is in line with StarTimes commitment at ensuring Nigerians enjoy the best of digital television entertainment.

    “As we look forward to the June 2015 deadline for digital migration; our vision is to help Nigeria migrate successfully from analogue to digital television.

    “StarTimes is all about bringing family entertainment to everyone in the family, parents, young adults, and children.

    “That is why we have collaborated with Bedmate on the promo to make sure families have a comfortable TV experience.

    Mrs. Omoyemi Akinwunmi, one of the Star prize winners of a set of Bedmate sofa while receiving her prize expressed her appreciation to StarTimes for keeping to their promise.

    “I wasn’t expecting to win since I didn’t buy the decoder because of the promo. It’s my first time using StarTimes and I don’t regret it. I bought the decoder in December and have been enjoying it since then.

    “It has so many rich channels that I love, its shows lots of Nigerian movies that I enjoy on Orisun. I encourage others who are yet to get StarTimes decoders to use this opportunity to get one for free,” Akinwunmi added.

    StarTimes, which covers 36 cities presently, will be expanded to other cities, the company’s Brand and Marketing Manager, Mr Habeeb Somoye, said.

  • Startimes, COSON reconcile

    Startimes, COSON reconcile

    WITH an agreement covering the copyright fees payable by NTA-Star TV Network, owners of Startimes, to Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), there appears to be a cease-fire in the legal battle between both parties since last year.

    Management of COSON, in a statement, the copyright fees, schedule of payment and legal fees have been agreed and attested to, hence, the parties agreed to withdraw their actions in court.

    The resolution followed a recent meeting held in Abuja between the management of NTA Star TV Network and the leadership of COSON, in Abuja, through the mediation of the Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Emeka Mba. Present at the meeting were the Executive Director of Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, Mr. Olusegun Olaleye; representatives of the Director General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Mr. John Asein and Mr. Michael Akpan, as well as Mrs. Bunmi Cole of the NBC.

    It will be recalled that in a reaction to an action brought by the operators of Startimes, COSON had in October 2014 filed an application at the Federal High Court, Lagos, requesting the court to issue an order of interlocutory injunction restraining Startimes from broadcasting, rebroadcasting or communicating to the public on any channel on its platform, any musical work and sound recording, belonging to COSON, its members or affiliates pending the determination of the issues in Suit No. FHC/CS/1149/14.

    The application, filed by Mr. Justin Ige of Creative Legal, was supported by a 15-paragraph affidavit, sworn to, by Chief Tony Okoroji, Chairman of COSON.

    Commenting on the developments, COSON General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chukwuji, said, “We are happy that this matter has been resolved and that we are deepening the culture of respect for intellectual property rights in Nigeria… We will continue to effectively represent musicians and the music industry in Nigeria. This is a group of people whose rights have been trampled upon for too long in our country. We thank the leaderships of NBC, NCC and BON for their timely intervention and the professional way in which the Startimes issues were resolved.”

  • Startimes kicks off yuletide promo

    NTA-Star Network StarTimes has started a promo for its customers during the yuletide.

    This is coming ahead of the next year’s digital switch over.  The brand handlers said the aim of the promo was to offer its subscribers an opportunity to own set-boxes required for quality digital TV.

    StarTime Public Relations Manager, Israel Bolaji said: “While the ‘Season Jolly’ promo is designed to excite StarTimes users, the ‘Family Fiesta’ promo is targeted at rewarding prospective and existing subscribers of StarSat HD satellite decoder.”

    He said StarTimes’subscribers would automatically be entered into a raffle draw upon the renewal of their subscription for two months through any of these methods: promo cards, online recharge and non-promo cards. New customers would also automatically qualify for the draws upon the payment for any of the classic, unique or the StarSat smart bouquet which comes with a free decoder. He said “During the promo, there would be a 50 per cent discount in the second month of subscription every time our subscribers recharge their decoder for the ‘Season’s Jolly Promo.’

    He said: “The star prize for the promos is six sets of luxury sofas and there are also consolatory items like lamps, StarTimes P40 Phone, television sets and other give-away prizes for subscribers.

    He said grand draws for the promos would hold on December 15, and January 30. Winners can retrieve consolatory and give-away prizes from all StarTimes business halls while the star prize is to be retrieved from the StarTimes head office in Lagos.

    Meanwhile, StarTimes has introduced nine new channels on its platform to boost its subscriber’s experience.

    According to Bolaji, “The nine new channels which have been carefully selected to enhance digital television experience for customers included the brand new Wazobia TV and Cool TV, Da Vinci Learning, PoP TV, Trace Sport Stars, StarTimes Sport 2, StarTimes Dadin Kowa, Tiwa N Tiwa and QYOU.  These stations were also opened for free for seven days to our teeming viewers to watch and enjoy.”

  • StarTimes’ Hausa channel comes on stream

    Despite the insurgency rocking the northeastern part of the country, driving away many brands, some by nature of the service they offer have continued to include the market in their offerings.

    The residents of the regional market were surprised recently when StarTimes, a digital terrestrial television (DTT) pay TV operator, announced that it was offering a channel named Dadin Kowa to cater for its audience who speak Hausa.

    The channel  is aimed at showcasing the rich cultural attributes of the Hausas, whose language is one of the major languages in the country and spoken by the majority in the northern fringe of Nigeria.

    The Content Manager of the NTA-Star TV Network Ayokunle Idowu, , said that Dadin Kowa has a rich outlook into the Hausa lifestyle. “The channel, which is currently targeted at the whole family, is aimed at showcasing the rich cultural attributes of the Hausa people. The content of new channel will include some Hausa-dubbed Chinese drama series. These drama series were translated from Chinese into Hausa by Nigerians, who acted as voice-overs in the Chinese drama series; as such, our customers would be watching Chinese actors speak in Hausa.”

    He reiterated that StarTimes would not relent in its efforts to ensure that its customers get quality content. “We recently unveiled our new sports channel, Star Sport 2, to meet up with the demands of our clients for more sports content particularly exclusive content. While the channel would be offering a wide range of sports including soccer, rugby, tennis, car race and extreme sports, StarTimes has the exclusive rights to air some soccer competitions of the on-going European Qualifiers for UEFA EURO Cup, which is currently being aired on the channel.”

    Idowu added that StarTimes is committed to ensuring that its customers enjoy the best of digital television at an affordable price. “We would not relent in ensuring that we meet the demands of our customers for quality content as we have done with the launch of Dadin Kowa. Besides we, as a platform for digital migration, are ever committed to helping Nigerians actualise the 2015 deadline by ensuring that Nigerians get the best of digital television at an affordable price.

    “Nigerians can confidently migrate into digital space with StarTimes as we provide the latest technology in DTT operations – DVB-T2 technology – which will give over 80 channels and quality digital entertainment. Our DVB-T2 decoder gathers over 80 channels of great sports, music, movies, news, kids and teens’ entertainment, documentary, religion and lots more,” he said.

     

  • StarTimes secures exclusive rights to air European matches

    Digital Terrestrial Technology Pay TV service provider in Nigeria, NTA STAR TV Network had secured the rights to bring live football actions of European Qualifiers Matches on StarTimes Sports 2.

    A statement from StarTimes said this package is exclusive to and available only on StarTimes, from September 7 to 16th of November 2014.

    According to the statement, “Startimes will be showing live the European Qualifiers Matches involving the best soccer Nations and greatest players in the world.

    StarTimes Sport 2 has a rich, diverse and global outlook aimed at meeting the teeming needs of current and prospective customers, who are constantly searching for rich sports content.”

    The statement said StarTimes Sport 2 will “offer sports inclined customers as well as prospects a diverse range of sports like soccer, tennis, golf, rugby, car-racing, cricket and extreme sports.”

    The content of StarTimes Sport 2 will include live broadcasts and highlights, sport news, sports programmes, sports movies and exercise education.

    StarTimes has the exclusive rights to air over 200 matches of European Qualifiers competitions. The first half play of the European Qualifiers begins in September and ends in mid November 2014, while the second half will begin in March 2015 to end in mid November 2015.

  • StarTimes launches digital satellite TV

    No increase competition and give Nigerians more televiewing options, NTA-Star TV Network, StarTimes has introduced StarSat, a digital satellite TV brand, offering a multitude of channels available in simple package choices for subscribers.

    Addressing journalists in Abuja at the launch of the digital satellite package, Mr. Maxwell Loco the Chief Executive Officer of StarTimes said StarSat uses the DTH technology that “would be offering Nigerians more television viewing channels, good sound quality as well as high picture quality that are characteristics of digital television; moreso, it utilizes a full HD decoder with HD Channels. StarSat will offer subscribers choice in their TV viewing at an affordable price through packages that are streamlined to suit their pockets and viewing preferences. Its content offerings would include movies, news, series, kid’s programmes, music, gospel, documentaries, sport, lifestyle, telenovelas, and others.”

    Loco stated that “there are over 100 channels and audio music channels available on StarSat for subscribers’ selection from our available bouquets, depending on their individual needs. Channels on offering on StarSat includes African Movie Channel, WAP TV, Al Jazeera, BBC World News, TVC News, NTA Sports 24, Star Sport 2, NBA TV, Fine Living, National Geographic, BET, Jimjam, Discovery, Fox, Bollywood, MGM and others.”

    Subscribers, he said, can determine the most suitable packages for their lifestyle from the three bouquets available on StarSat. The bouquets are StarSat Special with 50 TV channels and 25 audio music Channel, StarSat Smart with 70 TV channels and 25 audio music channels and StarSat Super with 100 TV and 25 audio music channels.

    The StarSat HD decoder Loco added “boots faster than any of its kind when switched on. The StarSat HD Decoder costs only N12, 600; the price includes the satellite dish, decoder and three months Subscription. Nigerians can enjoy a bumper promo package as StarSat is launched with just N12, 600 + 3 months Super Bouquet with Indian Channels starting from 13th August – 5th of October” he said.