StarTimes Media, the firm that runs StarTimes Pay TV in various markets across Africa including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria has ventured into branded digital TVs in a move expected to bolster its revenues away from TV transmission and monthly subscription fees.
The LED digital TVs will compete with LG, Samsung, Sony, TCL, HiSense among others in the Kenyan market.
“This is an install and watch product, that’s why we say StarTimnes Dital TV is REAL digital TV. Our TVs do not require an external set top box to broadcast both satellite and terrestrial signals and utilizes a single remote control to manage both the content and the television set,” said Mr. Mark Lisboa, StarTimes VP.
StarTimes launched 24, 32 and 40 inch TV sets at Ksh 18,999; 24,699 and 38,999 respectively. The firm says the TV sets will save users around 50% in power costs as well as have the capability to use solar in off-grid areas.
The TV sets come with a full HD LED screen, Dolby Surround audio, wide voltage input allowing users to use the TV on a wide range of voltage, HDMI capabilities, and has a USB port. To market the TV sets, StarTimes is promising new buyers access a generous subscription offer where customers who pay for a complete month for a Basic bouquet, they will automatically be upgraded to a Classic bouquet for one week while those who pay for a Classic package will be automatically upgraded to a Unique Bouquet for one week for free. Smart Bouquet subscribers will be automatically upgraded to watch the Super Bouquet for one week for free.
The firm says a new software upgrade coming up in the next few months will see the digital TVs adopt smart capabilities such as use of Wi-Fi among others.
