New satellite television targets family viewers

Barely a year after the collapse of GTV, a new pay television company has been launched in Kenya.

Remember TV Africa unveiled recently by Communications PS Bitange Ndemo is betting on family entertainment and news.

The locally owned company will be distributing television content for My TV Africa, a digital satellite television provider based in Dubai, which has been operating in 10 sub-Saharan Africa countries since 2006 through Intelsat 10 satellite.

“Today’s family members are entitled to affordable entertainment that cuts across the society and provides balanced programmes,” said Mr Michael Waweru, the managing director of Remember TV Africa.

“My TV is a super family entertainer and is committed to bringing into Kenyan homes quality programmes that add value to their lives.”

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

“Kenyan 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 pretty 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 in countries like Kenya and East Africa.

“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,” he said.

My TV Africa broadcasts in English and French. The service is offered in a one-tier full bouquet that includes sports channels, children entertainment, movies, women and lifestyle, religious programmes, music, and global and regional news.

The MD says subscribing and unsubscribing have been made flexible to make it attractive.

“We will empower dealers by making them partners in the business,” he said. Remember TV Africa was facing challenges of weak signals in remote villages where infrastructure is not fully developed, but Mr Waweru said the company would invest in smooth reception.

The PS said the government is committed to promoting local programming as it gears for the switch from analogue to digital transmission. He said pay-TV stations would be encouraged to incorporate local programmes to create market for the 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 now 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.

He said the company’s receiving equipment is compatible with encryption satellite or terrestrial systems used by other operators.

Remember TVAfrica began operations last year just before GTV, the then second largest pay television company after DStv, went under.

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.”.

Pay television gives broadcasting reception that allows families to view more channels and programmes through satellite receivers.

“Today we are talking about global village where information, news, sports, entertainment and cultural practices are being shared worldwide, meaning we are members of our own countries as well as global citzens,” said Mr Waweru.