SIX years after opening its doors to business in Nigeria, leading digital TV network operator, StarTimes, says its entrance has completely changed the digital TV industry and viewing experience of Nigerian subscribers, especially the masses.
This, the pay tv network operator believes, it has achieved by ensuring price affordability, introducing for the first time in Nigeria the very mass market-friendly DTT (Antenna) Pay-TV model and a very affordable content bouquet called Nova.
In a chat with Brands &Marketing, the company’s Public Relations Manager, Israel Bolaji stated that the Pay TV platform’s partnership with Africa’s largest television network NTA and other terrestrial analogue TV stations, had helped in creating alternative options for viewers, boosting the industry, made digital TV very affordable, while rallying the masses to key into Federal Government’s digital TV switch over agenda.
Bolaji noted that the company had played a significant role in boosting the industry, while setting the pace in many areas, including affordable pricing, collaboration and innovation.
‘‘For over twenty years, digital television in Nigeria was very expensive and priced beyond the reach of the middle class and the masses until the arrival of StarTimes in 2010.
‘’We offered more affordable option for exciting television experience. By pioneering the DTT (antenna) model, a mass market and affordable offering, we broke decades of jinx, surrounding pay TV services. Today, an average Nigerian household can afford both a decoder and monthly subscription,” he stated.
He added that the Pay TV platform’s deliberate collaboration with terrestrial analogue TV stations and the government, through the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), marked the first and true beginning of strategic engagements involving public and private partnership towards actualization of digital TV switch over in the country.
He also expressed StarTimes’ commitment at further supporting subscribers with viewing convenience programs like door- to -door after sales services, 24-7 care phone lines, add-on channels and convenient payment models and online platforms.
He added that since its launch in Abuja on July 29, 2010, StarTimes has continued to embark on awareness initiatives, aimed at educating and sensitizing millions of Nigerians about the digital migration and its attendant benefits to the nation.