A broadcast van in Nairobi. MultiChoice’s new service allows customers to rent a movie for Sh230 over two days. Photo/FILE
What you need to know:
The firm says it is targeting customers who want to watch new releases from Hollywood and Nollywood before they become available on regular TV channels.
To access the service, one must be a DStv Premium subscriber with the Explora decoder, which is priced at Sh31,000 and has a Sh5,000 dish.
The pay-per-view model is emerging as the next big thing in the era of digital TV and internet streaming.
MultiChoice, the owner of pay TV brand DStv, has launched a service that allows its customers to rent the latest movies for Sh230 over two days.
The South African firm says it is targeting customers who want to watch new releases from Hollywood and Nollywood before they become available on regular TV channels.
To access the service, one must be a DStv Premium service subscriber with the Explora digital HD decoder.
“With this innovative service our subscribers can watch the latest blockbusters before they become available on TV, legitimately,” said Janet Oyugi, MultiChoice Kenya’s finance manager.
The rental model is emerging as the next big thing in the era of digital TV and internet streaming.
It is the first time that a Kenyan TV station is offering on-demand rental for movies, which is however expected to gather momentum with the migration of all broadcasters to digital streaming.
Subscribers will preview and select a movie of their choice which they can download to their decoder and retain for a maximum of 48 hours before it is automatically deleted.
Box Office service
The service, dubbed BoxOffice, is modelled on the internet-based video-on-demand offerings but without the need for data connections. Payments are payable via M-Pesa only.
“DStv services like BoxOffice form part of a bigger MultiChoice strategy to use cutting-edge technological innovation to help people enjoy some of the best entertainment available at a time that’s convenient to them,’’ said Ms Oyugi.
BoxOffice will give subscribers access to a variety of movies from comedy, to drama and family movies, to horror and fantasy.
Up to 20 movies will be available at any one time. MultiChoice dominates the local pay TV market. Its latest service adds another layer to its offerings of news, documentaries, comedies, and movies for monthly subscriptions.
New competitors are expected in the pay TV business after the regulator said it would compel firms like MultiChoice to resell their exclusive content such as the English Premier League football to rivals on commercial terms.
The move by the Communications Authority is seen as a win for MultiChoice’s rivals like Wananchi Group which have accused the multinational of using exclusive content to entrench its dominance.
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