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Tag: TSTV

  • TSTV CEO, three others arraigned on alleged tax evasion, money laundering charges

    TSTV CEO, three others arraigned on alleged tax evasion, money laundering charges

    Two senior officials of Telecom Satellites Limited (TSTV) – Bright Ikechukwu Echefu and Felix Nnamdi Igboanuga, were on Thursday, June 6, arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on charges bordering on tax evasion, money laundering and advanced fee fraud.

    Echefu, described as the managing director and chief executive officer of the firm and Igboanuga, said to be TSTV’s executive director, pleaded not guilty when the nine-count charge was read to them.

    The duo was arraigned with their firm (TSTV) and another company, Briechberg Investment Limited, on the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/254/2023 filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    After the defendants pleaded to the charge, prosecuting lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN) sought a date for the commencement of trial.

    Defence lawyer, Eyitayo Fatigun (SAN) applied for bail for the defendants, to which Tahir objected.

    Tahir stated that the Echefu and Igboanuga were a flight risk, having allegedly evaded arrest before now.

    Responding, Fatigun faulted the prosecuting lawyer’s claim, noting that the EFCC had, by itself, granted the two defendants administrative bail.

    Ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo adopted the conditions attached to the administrative bail earlier granted them by the EFCC.

    Justice Ekwo restrained them from travelling abroad without the permission of the court.

    The judge ordered them to surrender their international passports and directed that the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) must be notified of the seizure of the passports.

    He cautioned that any breach of the bail conditions or absence from court would automatically lead to the revocation of the bail granted them.

    Justice Ekwo directed the EFCC to transmit the records relating to the administrative bail to the court within seven days.

    He adjourned till July 15 for the commencement of trial.

    Counts in the charge sheet read:

    *That you Dr. Bright Ikechukwu Echefu, being the MD/CEO of Telcom Satellites Limited [TSTV), Felix Nnamdi Igboanuga, being the Executive Director of Telcom Satellites Limited (TSTV) on or about the 18th day of May 2020 in Abuja did agree with yourselves to commit an offence of money laundering to wit; tax evasion, unremitted VAT, and Company Income Tax and Pay As You Earn (PAYE] deducted from the salaries of 165 staff and thereby committed an offence contrary to the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended in 2012) and punishable under Section 15(3) and (4) of the same Act.

    *That you Dr. Bright Ikechukwu Echefu, being the MD/CEO of Telcom Satellites Limited (TSTV), Felix Nnamdi Igboanuga being the  Executive Director of Telcom Satellites Limited (TSTV) and on or about the 18th day of May 2020 in Abuja did take possession or control of the sum of N33,909,542.47 for unremitted Company Income Tax, which fund you knew or reasonably ought to know that the said fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: Tax Crime relating to the proceeds due and payable as Company Income Tax to the Federal Government of Nigeria for transaction carried out within the Telcom Satelites Limited (TSTV) pursuant to the provisions of the Companies Income Tax Act 2007 and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as Amended in 2012) and punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4) of the same Act.

    *That you Dr. Bright Ikechukwu Echefu, being the MD/CEO of Telcom Satelites Limited  (TSTV), Felix Nnamdi Igboanuga, being the Executive Director of Telcom Satelites Limited (TSTV) and on or about the 18th day of May 2020 in Abuja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fake possession or control of the sum of N13,519,382.00 ( for unremitted Value Added Tax (VAT), tax crime relating to the proceeds due and payable as Valve Added Tax to the Federal Government of Nigeria for Telcom Satellites Limited (TSTV) pursuant to the provisions of the Valve Added Tax Act 2004 and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended in 2012) and punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4) of the same Act.

    *That you Dr. Bright Ikechukwu Echefu, being the MD/CEO of Telcom Satelites Limited (TSTV), Felx Nnamdi Igboanuga, being the Executive Director of Telcom Satelites Limited (TSTV)  on or about 18th day of May, 2020 in Abuja did take possession or control of the sum of N19,488,.860.00 for unremitted PAYE Tax (Pay As You Earn), tax crime relating to the proceeds due and payable as PAYE Tax to the Federal Government of Nigeria for the deduction from the salaries of 165 staff of the Telcom Satellites Limited (TSTV) pursuant to the provisions of the PAYE ACT 2004 and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 as Amended in 201 2and punishable under Section 15 (3) and (4) of the same Act.

    *That you Dr. Bright Ikechukwu Echefu, being the Managing Director, Briechberg Investment Ltd and Briechberg Investment Ltd on or about the 18th day of May 2020 in Abuja, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of N150,000,000.00 from Turaki Kabiru Tanimu (SAN), MD of Kalsiyam Farm, paid into Briechberg Investment Ltd Account No. 1015561485 domiciled with Zenith Bank Pic under the false pretence, representing loan advance fo Telcom Satelites for the purpose of enhancing the acquisition of modern technology, which you knew to be false and misappropriated and converted the said money to your personal use and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences, Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

    *That you Dr. Bright Ikechukwu Echefu, being the Managing Director, Briechberg Investment Ltd and Briechberg Investment Ltd on or about 18th day of May 2020 in Abuja with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of N380.000,000.00) { from Turaki Kabiru Tanimu (SAN), MD of Kalsiyam Global paid into Briechberg Investment Lid Account No. 1015561 485 domiciled with Zenith Bonk Pic under the false pretence representing loan advance to Telcom Satelites for the purpose of enhancing the acquisition of modern technology which you knew to be false and misappropriated and converted the said money to your personal use and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

    *That you Dr. Bright Ikechukwu Echefu being the Managing Director, Briechberg Investment Ltd and Briechberg Investment Ltd on or about the 18th day of May 2020 in Abuja with Intent to defraud did obtain the sum of N400,000,000.00 from Turaki Kabiru Tanimu (SAN) MD of BYI General paid into Briechberg Investment Ltd Account No. 1015561485 domiciled with Zenith Bank Pic under the false pretence representing loan advance to Telcom Satellites for the purpose of enhancing the acquisition of modern technology which you knew to be false and misappropriated and converted the said money to your personal use and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences, Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

    Read Also: NYSC to partner TStv for take-off of Internet TV

    *Thot you Dr. Bright Ikechukwu Echefu being the Managing Director, Briechberg Investment Ltd and Briechberg Investment Ltd on or about the 18th day of May 2020 in Abuja with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of N15,000,000.00  from Turaki Kabiru Tanimu (SAN) paid into Briechberg Investment Ltd Account No. 1015561485 domiciled with Zenith Bank Plc under the false pretence representing loan advance to Telcom Satellite for the purpose of enhancing the acquisition of modern technology which you knew to be false and misappropriated and converted the said money to your person and thereby an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences, Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

    *That you Dr. Bright Ikechukwu Echefu being the Managing Director, Briechberg Investment Ltd and Briechberg Investment Lid on or about 18th day of May 2020 in Abuja within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of N15.000,000.00 from Turaki Kabiru Tanimu (SAN), MD of K.T Turake paid into Briechberg Investment Ltd Account No.1015561485 domiciled with Zenith Bank Pic under the false pretence representing loan advance to Telcom Satellites for the purpose of enhancing the acquisition of modern technology which you knew to be false and misappropriated and converted the said money to your personal use and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a)(b) of the Advance Fee fraud and other Fraud Related Offences, Act, 2006 and punishable under the same Act.

  • TSTV: struggles drained us financially

    Indigenous pay TV service provider, TSTV, has lamented the huge challenges that have hindered it from rolling out services as promised.

    Its MD/CEO, Bright Echefu, expressed appreciation to Nigerians for the show of concern, lamenting that the battle started right from the day the announcement about the brand was made.

    He said: “From the date we announced TSTV, it has been fight all the way. I doubt if a week passed without us quenching one fire or the other. We didn’t anticipate that there would be war. We were also not trained to fight in the arena we were pushed into. The kinds of weapons our enemies would later confront us with showed they had stocked their armoury, waiting for a time like now. We may not have their kind of money, neither their kinds of weapons, ”connections” and networks, but one thing I sure know we had more than them was a determined spirit and a steadfast God.

    “It has not been easy one bit. Our struggles drained us financially and pitched us against all well meaning Nigerians, subscribers and dealers that believed in us. We were wrestled even down to our satellite providers but our God is ever faithful.”

    He however said TSTV is back live and direct but this time under the watch of Abba Father. He said with the successful acquisition of five units of 35.5megahertz (MHz) transponders on NigComSat through its collaboration with Intertel, Federal Ministry of Communications and NigComSat, TSTV can now offer Nigerians the true meaning of video entertainment. “Our TSTV has successfully migrated to Nigeria Communication Satellite. All channels in full HD. No one does that. More channels are being added daily.

    “TSTV management in appreciation to everyone has decided that 45 TSTV premium HD channels will be available for free for another one month as we don’t intend to encrypt the channels now. You can use any dish at all, including the ones you are using for other operators to track NigComSat today and enjoy premium entertainment together.

    “We are now a True Nigerian Brand and we all should support ours. Monitor our progress by tracking your dish to 42.5oE, Frequency 12589, Symbol Rate: 30,000. Polarization: Horizontal. I sincerely appreciate all your concerns and prayers for our darling TSTV,” Echefu said.

  • TStv to roll out decoders next week – official

    TStv to roll out decoders next week – official

    The Management of the much awaited indigenous Satellite TV, inaugurated on October 1, on Friday said the TStv decoders would be in the market from next week.

    Mr Ernest Essien, the TStv’s Public Relations Officer, made the disclosure in Abuja.

    Essien said the company had concluded arrangement to roll out its commercial decoders from next week after the successful test run of its promo decoders distributed before November 1.

    He said that the service provider was committed to making sure that all the intending customers should have their decoders before Christmas.

    “We are almost done with our test transmission and we are just putting some finishing touches and hopefully by the grace of God, between now and next week the decoders will be out for sale.

    “We are informing Nigerians that they must enjoy their Christmas with their decoders. So before Christmas, the decoders will be everywhere in the market.

    “Everything is in place we have done everything we needed to do before coming out and I want to let you know that TStv is still on course.’’

    Essien reiterated that the price of TStv decoder would remain at the initial N5,000 with all the packages promised, adding that there would  be additional surprise packages for its customers.

    He said that the management had decided to keep the packages secret until the decoders were rolled out.

    “We will display all the packages accordingly but the one we can assure you now is that the price will not change, it remains N5,000.

    “We are trying to see how we can make it simple and easy for every Nigerian to be able to afford it.

    “We are keeping our promises on the channels and all the channels including BEing Sports channels are there with even more other channels that were not included in our bouquet before.

    “We have more channels that are coming and the total number of channels will be over 70,’’ he said.

    Some of the beneficiaries of the promo decoder had commended the improvement in the number of channels and quality of the programmes.

    NAN

  • ‘Where is TSTV?’

    ‘Where is TSTV?’

    Telecom Satellite Nigeria Limited launched a pay-per-view TV —TSTV — on October 1. TSTV was launched with the hype of affordability and flexibility of payment, and also amidst euphoria by Nigerians, who saw the pay TV as an alternative to the industry leader, DSTV. However, since the celebratory launch of the Pay TV brand, Nigerians have been asking: “Where is TSTV”.

    A day after launch, Nigerians went in search of TSTV decoders and found out that they were not available. The company explained that “operations would commence on November 1st”. The support for TSTV was defined as an extension of patriotism and in furtherance of promoting local brands. “Even if it takes till next year for the TSTV to be available, I will wait and get it”, wrote a twitter follower of TSTV.

    On November 1st, the company reeled out apology that the decoders would not be available due to accreditation of dealers and operational logistics. Subscribers of TSTV were viewing a football match on BeIn Sports Channel on November 2nd when the screen froze. And a  message came up: “You are viewing Beln Sports content illegally via TSTV in Nigeria.” This corroborated an earlier leaked memo from BeIn Sports to TSTV, warning the pay TV not to proceed with illegal transmission of the international sports channel.

    By November 3rd, TSTV has become a channel on ABS Satellite service. “Kindly track ABS 3 and you will receive TSTV on frequency 11052, free to air”, the company wrote on social media. The channel TSTV is, therefore, transmitting on ABS as free to air. This is a laughable development, considering the trust reposed in the company by both the government and the people of Nigeria.

  • Why we launched pay per day – StarTimes Boss

    Why we launched pay per day – StarTimes Boss

    On Wednesday, November 1, StarTimes officially commenced its much anticipated daily subscription plan tagged pay per day. In a brief chat with the media, the Chief Executive of the company, Mr Justin Zhang gave more insight into the birth of daily and weekly subscription in Nigeria.

    Q: When was the decision to launch the pay per day taken?

    Answer: We reached a decision to introduce pay per day in Nigeria late 2016. Although at that time, we were still testing the service in other African countries where we operate and in the South-West region in Nigeria.

    Q: Some people believe the pay per day service was introduced as a result of competition in the industry:

    Answer: That is not the case. Nigeria is our biggest market and so it would not be a wise business decision to launch a product or service without proper testing.

    The launch of our pay per day service had to be properly done so as not to cause any technical disruption, hence the need to test for months and make corrections where needed before rolling out a hitch-free service. Also, as a highly innovative company, we continually seek new ways to improve our customer experience and satisfaction and pay per day is one of such.

    Q: How was the service received by subscribers?

    Answer: Positively, as expected. Many of our subscribers have already started embracing the service. We get calls daily from customers seeking to get more information about pay per day so that they too can subscribe. I would say that this service has been much anticipated by Nigerians so we feel very happy to have pioneered the introduction of daily payments from as low as N60 in the pay-TV industry. Our aim is to ensure that we deliver digital entertainment to every Nigerian home at very affordable rates and we will ensure that this is done in the coming years.

    Related: TSTV vs DSTV: StarTimes pay per day, coincidence or strategy?

    Q: Is pay per view to be expected soon?

    Answer: I think many people misconstrue the pay-TV industry for the telecoms industry. Technologically speaking, for the pay tv industry, it is almost impossible to select individual channels based on customer preference and charge for each. While we are not ruling it out completely because things may change in the future, I know this may not be happening anytime soon given the technology on the ground.

    Q: What has StarTimes done recently to improve content?

    Answer: A lot. For example, we have upgraded our movie channels list and now have more safe channels for the kids to also enjoy. We also broadcast fairly recent new movies very new series from Hollywood. For our Nollywood fans, there are many channels dedicated to Nollywood movies and series now on StarTimes.

    Very worthy of note is that we will be broadcasting the Russia 2018 world cup live on StarTimes and this is in fulfilment of our promise to ensure than Digital entertainment is delivered to every home. All our subscribers will be enjoying live matches of the world cup from the comfort of their homes without putting a hole in their pockets come 2018.

  • TSTV vs DSTV: StarTimes pay per day, coincidence or strategy?

    TSTV vs DSTV: StarTimes pay per day, coincidence or strategy?

    When StarTimes took to its official Twitter handle @Startimes_Ng  to announce that it was commencing Pay Per Day service in a series of tweets, most DigitalTV subscribers knew they haven’t seen the end of the announcement just yet.

    No surprises as the news was well received by many Nigerians online and social media, with many celebrating what they felt was a move forced by the fiasco of TSTV. For so many Nigerians, they have waited for a day when the Globacom of the Pay TV sub-sector of the broadcast industry will make an entry.

    But many questions remained unanswered. Questions like why now? Why StarTimes? Why November 1st? Why N60 daily? All of these have been asked on social media with very little answers available as the company is yet to issue an official statement with details of the plan.

    Why now?

    Some people have argued that StarTimes has been in operations for over 7 years and is no longer a newcomer to the industry. So why is the pay per day announcement coming now?

    Why not a year or 2 earlier, especially since the company claims to have been offering this service in other African countries. Why was the implementation in Nigeria delayed?

    Why StarTimes

    Truthfully, if any cable TV operator was expected to introduce the par per day following the pledges and promises of TSTV, it would have been DSTV or Go-TV, since the agitation of most Nigerians was heard towards them due to perceived high pricing and alleged monopoly in the industry.

    For most stakeholders, subscribers, critics and the ordinary Nigerian, StarTimes was not the problem for them, in fact, nobody joined issues with StarTimes when it came to providing affordable entertainment for Nigerians, partly because their pricing was fair enough.

    So, when the announcement was made that fateful morning, it came as a good shock on the morning of October 19 when the announcement came from StarTimes, an announcement that set social media agog, one made on the same day Kwese TV, a new kid on the block was having their official launch press conference. Was this deliberate, to reduce the media share of voice Kwese receives on the day they launch or just another coincidence?

    Why November 1st?

    Really, why November 1st? Isn’t this the same day the other operator promised to launch? Something is fishy here. Or is this just another coincidence?

    StarTimes Demand Soars!

    Since the announcement was made on October 19th, the demand for StarTimes and general interest in the company has risen dramatically. Some social media users went as far as taking pictures of themselves purchasing the decoders at subsidised rates and with a promise to enjoy 1-month free view.

    An inquiry from 2 dealer partners in Lagos mainland indicated a 9% hike in product demand. Can one attribute this to the new pay per view package or just the ripple effect of the publicity the company has enjoyed in past week?

    Why 60 Naira Daily?

    While we celebrate, let’s ask ourselves questions before we accept a greek gift. Why so cheap? N60 is a very affordable rate by any standard. These days, N60 cannot even buy you a bottle of drink in traffic or any store. Why would StarTimes offer their daily subscription at such a cheap rate? is there more to it than meets the eye? A quick check on the company website reveals little information about the new package. Why so much secrecy?

    In the meantime, all we can do is wait and see what details are made available on November 1st. It is my hope that this is not just another appetiser or publicity stunt, something similar to what we experienced in September when TSTV came with bags of undelivered promises.

  • TsTv, DStv and hints of xenophobia

    As a people, we like to congratulate ourselves on our infinite hospitability towards strangers or foreigners as the case may be. But a proper scrutiny of our hospitality credential, I am afraid, is a lot less flattering. There exists dormant xenophobia in us and it seeps to the surface once-in-a-while, of course not the violent type that has blighted South Africa’s reputation through some of her misguided citizens. This explains that we are not the most unwelcoming people on the planet. Nationalism is great, its rabid variant is evidently not and I have seen a few occasions that suggest that we are not as warm as we think we are.

    A couple of years back, passions were justifiably inflamed following xenophobic attacks on foreigners, including Nigerians, in some South African cities, a development that brought the country and Nigeria close to a diplomatic spat. What was suggested by some Nigerians as the appropriate response to such were attacks on South African business interests in Nigeria. Three of such immediately appeared in the gunsights of those seeking an eye for an eye. These were MultiChoice Nigeria, Shoprite and MTN. MultiChoice was the out-and-out favourite, given that the attacks in South Africa occurred at a time it was increasing its prices for the first time in two years. Long before then, it had been drilled into Nigerians that the company through its DStv and GOtv platforms milked Nigerians for fun, a belief for which no clasping proof was provided.

    The last three weeks have witnessed a reboot of the saga. TsTv, a new pay-television operator announced itself on the market and Nigerians’ response has been tinged with mild xenophobia. “This is the end of DStv and South African exploitation”, “They should fold up and go back home” read some of the responses on the social media. There were worse ones that community standards will not allow here. After TsTv launched on 1 October to heightened local expectations and it could not roll out its service, DStv was accused of being behind its failure to do as it had advertised.

    Conveniently forgotten by bearers of anti-DStv sentiments was the fact that TsTv, which advertised itself as a wholly Nigerian company and secured a three-year tax break from the Federal Government, had claimed on its website that it was going to broadcast content for which it had not acquired redistribution rights. Three of such content owners, CNN, beIN and Fox, in official communication, warned the new pay-television company to desist from using their channels to promote its brand, as it had no authorisation to do so. TsTv, in apparent response to the complaints, hurriedly removed the channel list consisting the platforms of the disaffected content owners from its website to avoid the threat of litigation.

    It also deferred its roll out, initially scheduled for the day of its launch, to 1 November in addition to the suspension of the sale of its hardware.

    The response to the deferment here was that DStv (read MultiChoice) had launched a campaign to kill TsTv at infancy. Frenziedly shared social media messages, couched in rabid nationalistic language, stated that MultiChoice had gone to bribe the content owners to prevent a rival from gaining a share of the market.

    -Prominently missing from the conversation was the question of how validly acquired rights could be wrested from TsTv without the content owners facing expensive litigation and reputational damage. It was just convenient to blame South Africa. There was also the risible claim that DStv jammed TsTv signal, the reason for which the latter was unable to roll out. To jam a signal, it must first exist. TsTv stated that it was deferring roll out, as such currently has no signal to speak of and therefore, nothing to jam. Would it even not have been cheaper to pay the angry content owners for exclusive rights to their intellectual property than jamming signal and paying tonnes of money, as alleged, in bribes?

    In one breath, we want foreign direct investments in the country. In another breath, we are bitter at foreign companies that do well here. Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, has investments in South Africa and a few other countries on the continent. We are unlikely to be thrilled if he or his company is a target of hate in those places. MultiChoice, though with South African parentage, is a Nigerian company. It is not a strange thing for international companies to have local arms. MultiChoice employs many Nigerians directly and indirectly. Its programming, dominated by Nigerian content, does not suggest it considers Nigeria as insignificant.

    Its investment in Nigeria since it arrived in the 90s has been huge. If it considers Nigeria an insignificant country, it would not commit as much resources as it has. The content industry in Nigeria is a beneficiary of MultiChocie’s investment. Nigerian culture is better known across Africa on account of AfricaMagic channels, which takes our movies to homes across the continent. The company makes money in Nigeria as it should. It has earned the right, having invested so much. Its parentage should be of no consideration and should not attract hate. Criticism? Yes. Hate? No. Service, not parentage, is what the yardstick should be.

    The demise of HiTv, a once popular operator, was widely blamed on MultiChoice. This wretched narrative has persisted despite the company’s owner, Toyin Zubair, explaining that the death of HiTv was caused by his wrong choice of shareholders. When will this irrational conduct stop?

    In the meantime, I join others in waiting for TsTv and hoping it offers the viable alternative it claims to represent.

    Adenle, a human rights activist, writes from Ibadan

  • TStv’s delay: We shall soon find out!

    TStv’s delay: We shall soon find out!

    Nigerians are becoming wary of the delay in the operation of the newly-launched Pay TV, TStv. The pay Tv multi-channel platform was launched on October 1, in Abuja. Apart from the ceremony which took place on that day, the company failed to start operations and distribute decoders as promised. Even the decoders the company said would be given to 5,000 Nigerians for free were obviously not available.

    A week after the ceremonious launch, TStv announced that commercial operations would start on November 1. Anticlimax!

    TStv’s entry into a market previously monopolized by DSTV was heralded with a lot of hype about the platform being the first pay-per-view Direct-To-Home satellite TV in Africa. Nigerians embraced the idea and joined the company in promoting the brand, online and offline.

    Nigerians were excited that they would be able to subscribe with as low as N300 and they can pause the subscription while travelling out of town. In addition, the brand promised 20GB internet data for those booking the full month’s subscription. The government had to join the people in supporting the indigenous player by granting it a three-year tax holiday.

    TStv promised a lot and it is still repeating those promises. However, Nigerians may be losing interest in the company. The postponement of commercial operation is a lag that has given Nigerians the chance to re-evaluate the promises rationally. The delay also gave competitors the chance to introduce additional value and consolidate their market territories.

    In addition to these, the stories being peddled online about TStv are capable of damaging its’ reputation. There are unconfirmed reports that TStv is having issues with its content providers. All TStv has done is refuting the stories and assuring Nigerians that the company will launch operationally with exciting contents on November 1st 2017.

    For now the buzz deflates day by day. As long as there is delay, Nigerians would keep speculating and detractors of TStv will always echo the news purportedly crafted by saboteurs.  Perhaps the narrative that those stories are coming from saboteurs is a cover for TStv’s negligence and inadequacies; we shall find out. Soon!

  • TStv begins operation November 1

    TStv begins operation November 1

    TELCOM Satellite Television (TStv), Abuja plans to begin commercial operations from November 1, according to its management.

    Its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Bright Echefu said the company has imported one million decoders and licensed 748 agents across the country to boost its operations.

    Echefu said TStv, with a state-of-the-art digital equipment and a crop of talented youths, is poised to change the narration of digital satellite broadcasting in Nigeria.

    He stressed that the firm would transform viewing experience and add values to the industry.

    Briefing reporters at his headquarters in Abuja, Echefu dismissed the wrong impressions created in the social media about  his background and his company, insisting that TStv is a product of his passion and commitment to broadcasting.

    Aided by senior management staff, including a popular musician, Sani Danja, Echefu said TStv is in the business of pay-tv not to displace or fight others such as DSTV, Startimes and Multi-choice, but to build on their achievements for the good of the society.

    Echefu, who conducted reporters round the firm’s facilities in Abuja, said about 5,000 decoders would be given out free of charge for the test-running of the programmes of the satellite television,  which he said has over 17 channels to its credit.

    He said when in full operation, TStv decoders would be fully subsidised given the three years tax holiday granted the company by the government and considering the fact that the company would also create 250 direct employment for Nigerians and 10,000 indirect employment for the people.

    The TStv boss, who said sustainability remains the key issue in the industry, however, lauded DSTV for its contributions to the industry, saying the company made other stakeholders in the industry understand the value of content.

    Echefu said: “ I remain undaunted. I am a very religious person, and I believe, this project is God’s project. I have failed before. But now that God is in charge, I will not fail anymore because God never fails.”

  • Pay-per view: How far can TSTV go?

    Pay-per view: How far can TSTV go?

    Expectations are high as the new kid on the block, Telcom Satellite TV (TSTV), promises to give popular cable operator DSTV, a run for its money. But does TSTV have what it takes to live to its promise? Bukola Aroloye asks.

    With the formal launch of the Nigerian-owned cable television, Telcom Satellite TV (TSTV) on October 1, 2017, a lot of things will give.

    TSTV, a Direct-To-Home (DTH) broadcast service is the child of a multi-transponder agreement between ABS and Telcom Satellites TV to deliver DTH to Nigeria on the ABS 3A satellite. The service is set to air more than 100 TV channels first and grow to above 150 with time. TSTV Africa will function in the 36 states.

    TSTV aims at giving Nigerians a breath of fresh air with its viewer-friendly money-for-service value offerings unlike DStv, as it also offers users the ability to pause subscriptions for a period of seven days every month amongst other mouth-watering features.

    What prompted TSTV

    In Nigeria, which is one of South African biggest markets, DSTV has been around for about 22 years. However, the company has often been in the news mostly for ripping Nigerians off with its inflexible subscription conditions and unfriendly quality of service (QoS) which could be attributed to its monopolistic status in the Nigerian market.

    Its monopoly was last challenged by HiTV which has long ceased to be in the market owing to a mix of factors that include huge debts and boardroom tussles. With HiTV out, DStv dominance and predatory pricing thickened raising concerns among stakeholders that include regulators.

    The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) had in February 2016 issued a directive to MultiChoice Nigeria, owners of DStv, on the need to be flexible on its dealings with subscribers after investigations by CPC confirmed the allegations of violations of consumers’ rights leveled against MultiChoice Nigeria in the delivery of its service. However, after the order, subscribers to DStv service were still agitating for the better service experience.

    As the competition hots up, some Nigerians are skeptical that DSTV may be plotting a strategy that may end up boxing TStv to a tight corner; the first gainer of the tax free scheme of the federal government in the industry.

    But the innovation to have a home-grown digital satellite service came from a serious solution finding exploits of African Health Television, hence her official launch has been fixed for 1st October, 2017 to share in the significance of a new nation with aspirations for genuine change and development. The harsh economic realities in Nigeria have prompted the initiators to share in finding solutions to ameliorate the high rate of unemployment. It was only recently that the National Bureau of Statistics released a disheartening report of the rising rate of unemployment. In fact, unemployment had risen to 14.2% at the time of the report.

    Speaking on the prospect of TSTV, Bright Echefu, TSTV Managing Director/CEO said: “Our vision is to provide premium video experience to Nigerians at affordable prices. Our services will enable the viewers to experience HD and SD video and internet surfing at the same time. We are the first indigenous local operator in the region to launch such a premium platform with a variety of services to Nigerians, who have been so far paying exorbitant prices to foreign operators.”

    “For most Nigerians, multi-channel TV is a big dream. Apart from Nigerians living in Lagos, Abuja, and maybe Port Harcourt, most Nigerians have access to less than five free terrestrial TV channels. This means that most Nigerians rely on terrestrial, satellite, or cable Direct-to-Home DTH TV for multi-channel TV.”

    Also speaking, Head of Corporate Communications, Magu Ugo, said, TSTV is a Nigerian story told to Nigerians by Nigerians. “Therefore, we are 24 hours available for Nigerians. We can be reached via our website portal and social media handles. Our phone numbers are displayed on these online portals,” he added.

    What Nigerians say about TSTV

    Expectedly, Nigerians have are already upbeat about the new cable TV considering the different bouquet of services it has to offer.

    In the view of Sunday Emmanuel TSTV holds a lot of promises. “I don’t know if TSTV will be another HiTv but when they launch I am buying it. If for nothing else, to contribute to shaking up DSTV a bit” Uche Eze   also “Dear Nigerians, let’s support TSTV to give DSTV a good competition. Buy Naija to grow the Naira.”

    “I cannot wait to subscribe to this new service. For me and many of the people on my street, it’s a decision borne more out of saving cost in this period of recession. It’s not even about the extras,” said one subscriber in Lagos. TStv is launching spontaneously in Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt, Owerri and Abuja.

    The new TV station with Hybrid Broadcast Broadband (HBB) technology combines satellite internet and TV services. It also allows consumers to pause subscriptions for a period of seven days every month among other mouth-watering features.

    Completion has its advantages after all

    As to be expected DSTV has tried to up their game in the face of potential competition as a few days back they announced a Pay-as-you-go idea. It has since remained an Idea and has not been implemented as yet.

    DSTV customers think it is great that they get healthy competition and are hoping they shake things up and up their game. Others are just excited that TSTV is Nigerian owned. Here are trending tweets on the matter.

    With the announcement of the new TV provider entering the market with the Hybrid Broadcast Broadband (HBB) technology that combines both satellite and internet service for TV services, DStv is re-strategizing to sustain its market share. Already it is planning to adopt the PAYG offering, although it’s yet to be implemented.

    Its subscription charges are in sharp contrasts to Multichoice DStv’s pricing as its subscription charges ranges from as low as N3000, N1500, N1000, N500 to N200 depending on the users’ choice and consumption. The TStv decoder is available for N5000 and has between 100-150 TV channels.

    Its sports channels include Star Sports, Fox Sports, Euro Sports News, Euro Sports 2, Kwese Sports 1, Kwese Free, Kwese ESPN, Bein Sports MAX 4HD, being Sports 3HD, being Sports Global, bein Sports MAX (being Sports 1-10), TS Sports 4 HD, TS Sports 2, TS Sports 3 and Yolo Sports HD, while its music channels include Trace Urban/Africa, HITS TV, MTV Base, TLC (HD).

    Its news channels are BBC America, CNBC, Aljazeera, BBC Radio 2,TVC News, Sky News,Arewa24,AIT,Core TV News, France 24 (English),CCTV News, Channels TV, Bloomberg Television, DW, Fox News, TRT World, Press TV, NTA, Arise News and TV360 Nigeria, while its movie channels are Star Movies, MBC Action, MBC 2, Star Movies, African Movie Channel Series (African Magic), Liberty TV, MBC, Wazobia TV, and WAP TV.

    Others are Viasat Life, Fine Living, FOX, FOX Life, Investigation Discovery, MBC 4, MBox HD, PCTV, Star Gold HD, Nollywood TV, Z Cinema, E Entertainment, BEN Bridging The Gap, BET, TS Novella, TS Movies HD and TS Series. It also boasts of nine kiddies channels, five science channels, two fashion channels, six religion channels and five Africa channels.

    Is DSTV monopoly under threat?

    Since DStv debuted 22 years ago, it has set the tone for the market unchallenged. That may finally be altered if TStv manage stay firm up its presence

    MultiChoice, owner of DStv, a brand with over 1,649,000 subscribers in Nigeria has enjoyed a near monopoly of the Pay TV platform, relying on its dominance of the European sporting world to hold sway as the country’s favorite.

    Many rivals had come, and fallen by the way side, while few are still struggling to stand segment competition. In terms of cost, DStv’s subscription is expensive. The cheapest package (DStv access) costs N1,900 per month, but the channels are limited. The most expensive bouquet with all the channels costs #14,700 per month. However, unlike DStv, TStv offers a pay-as-you-go, allowing subscribers to pay for what they consume.

    TStv package

    With start-up of 70 premium channels and a maximum subscription fee of N3, 000, while also accommodating as low as N200 and N500 for a period of time, TStv is certainly out to give DStv a run for its money.

    TSTV’s initial subscription cost, including a decoder, a dish and a remote control, is N5, 000. Another added advantage coming with the subscription is that after buying the decoder, subscribers will get up to 20GB of data as bonus, while subsequent full monthly subscription through e-payment platform will come with 10GB of data.

    The Pay TV decoder also comes with PVR (Personal Video Recorder) Decoder which allowed viewers greater control over their viewing experience with functions like pause, rewind, forward, save and record of programmes of interest, features regarded as luxury with DStv.

    Subscribers will also get complimentary internet service, enabled Wi-Fi, as well as video calls and video conferencing services.

    However, the critical subscription platform many Nigerians are looking for which is Pay-Per-View seems to be lacking in TStv as what obtains in the new company offering is Pay As You Go which can only allow subscribers a limited option to pause their subscription when not in use for not more than seven days in a month, thus extending at most, 37 days monthly subscription.

    It will be recalled that the federal government had penultimate Sunday during the flag off of the TStv transmission in Abuja, announced the concession of three-year tax relief to the new platform.

    According to the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, the unveiling of TStv would totally redefine the pay per view platform and, by extension, the television industry, by making it possible for people in all segments of society to enjoy high quality entertainment.

    He said what TStv has done is to democratise the media and entertainment industry and make it possible for all to have access to the best entertainment in the world. “Just like a Nigerian also made history by crashing the cost of telephony in Nigeria, I am glad that another Nigerian is now coming forward also to crash the price of Pay TV.”

    Experts comment

    According to pay TV expert, Adedayo Thomas, DStv is reworking its market strategies as a big competitor TStv payTV market by which was launch in October 1. TStv coming to market with low entry and subscription costs as well as a pay as you watch option that may put DStv at the losing end of the competition. TStv also has a 20g wifi carrot for subscribers to push Nigeria’s consumers’ television experience further into the IoT (Internet of Things) realm.

    One insider says DStv is studying the market and watching to see how the market reacts to TStv “juicy entry before it matches up with its own incredible offers.”

    For DStv, it will be both a struggle to maintain its market share and a dominance it has enjoyed for decades with little or no challenge. The attempt by High Television (HiTV) to break that challenge some years back ended in fiasco as HiTV exited the market with huge debt amidst boardroom tussles.

    Other cable TV or direct to home (DTH) service providers like Start Times only managed to take a small space in the market constituting no threat to DStv’s dominance.

    The new TV provider which is already beating gongs and drums of its entry is exciting the market with its Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) offerings, to give subscribers up to 200% savings on their monthly satellite TV budget.

    “The buzz really is on how the new entrant will be able to match DStv’s competitive advantage on the diversification of its broadcast contents and its ability to position itself as the provider of wholesome family entertainment with interesting tag line that only recently change from ‘So much more’ to ‘Feel Every Moment. DStv has amazing content profile and it appears TStv is aiming to match that content advantage and at a very low price,” said one broadcast expert in Abuja, Jibola Adewuye.