New pay TV signals strong growth after launching in Kenya

A new pay television company has been launched in Kenya. Remember TV Africa, which provides family entertainment and news, was unveiled last week as the local distributor of MyTV Africa, the digital satellite television provider based in Dubai.

The satellite pay-TV service has been operating in 10 other sub-Saharan Africa countries since 2006 through Intelsat 10 satellite. The launch was attended by, among others, Information and Communication Permanent Secretary Dr Bitange Ndemo.

“Today’s families deserve affordable entertainment that cuts across entire society and provides balanced programmes for all ages,” said Mr Michael Waweru, the managing director of Remember TV Africa. “MyTV is a family entertainer and is committed to bringing into Kenyan homes quality programmes that add value to their lives.”

Mr Ndemo urged local television stations to invest more in DTH (direct-to-home) television and join other international players in bringing premium programmes to Kenya.

“Our youth are well talented and it is important when such openings come by to try and seize every opportunity of the new advancement in technology,” he said. “To the artists this is a good chance to develop programmes for local consumption as well as for export.”

Satellite television has huge potential, he said, because of its ability to cover vast and more sparsely populated areas.

“The communication sector in Kenya has tremendously grown in the last 10 years, following liberalisation and an enabling environment created by the Communications Commission of Kenya,” Dr Ndemo said.

Family programming

MyTV Africa broadcasts are both in English and French. The service is offered in one-tier full bouquet that include sports channels, children entertainment, movies, women and lifestyle, religious programmes, music, and global and regional news.

“We will empower dealers by making them partners,” said Mr Waweru.

Mr Ndemo said the government is committed to promoting local programmes as it gears up for the switch from analog to digital transmission. He said pay-TV stations would be encouraged to incorporate local programmes to create market for Kenyan content.

My TV Africa is owned by Strong Technologies, a satellite and terrestrial receivers manufacturer in Dubai. Mr Waweru said Remember TV Africa will provide 24-hour non-commercial (no ad breaks) programming.

“Enabling accessibility is a continuous process at MyTV, in line with our vision to provide the African family with an affordable pay television service with relevant programming,” said Mr Bahjat Mirza, My TV General Manager.

Remember Africa began operations last year just before GTV, the then second largest pay television company after DStv, went under. The company is eyeing that slot. In addition Mr Waweru said they will be keen on affordable pricing, increasing the number of dealers and empowering them to manage subscription.

“We will also assist dealers in technical matters and after sales services. This is designed to provide convenient delivery to homes across the country,” said Mr Waweru.

“We appeal to the local stations to join our platform that is shared by many countries in Africa; and move Kenya to another level as a source of news and entertainment.”.