Digital terrestrial and satellite TV firm StarTimes Media has expanded to Garissa, Kitui, Kapenguria, Embu, Trans-Nzoia and Laikipia raising the number with the company’s digital television access to over 30 counties in a move that brings both Pay Television and Free to air digital television services to more users in Kenya.
According to StarTimes Vice President Mr. Mark Lisboa, 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”, said Mr. Lisboa.
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. This development is a boost to its expansion plans with the increased coverage of the terrestrial television signal complementing the satellite television service mostly used in the country.
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.