Econet Media has partnered streaming platform provider Roku to launch streaming TV service Kwesé Play in South Africa and then expand to other markets across the continent.
The Roku powered set top box will cost $10 a month and comes with Netflix, YouTube and Red Bull TV buttons at launch. Using Roku Powered™ license agreement, Econet will leverage Roku’s proven streaming platform to launch streaming services across the continent and tie in its FTA service Kwese Free Sports which is already live across various markets in Africa.
“Roku’s track-record made them the obvious choice for us. The ability to deliver the Kwesé Play service to televisions is an important facet of our multiplatform content delivery service. As a result of this partnership, we are able to offer our customers cutting-edge TV services at a low cost with easy to use Roku players,” said Joseph Hundah, Chief Executive Officer of Econet Media.
Through the Roku Powered program, operators can license the Roku streaming platform to deliver live TV and on-demand services to their customers. Anton Lokotsch, Head of Technical for Kwesé Play said, “Roku provides operators with an end-to-end solution including powerful low-cost hardware, regular updates to the Roku OS and a wide selection of streaming channels.”
