StarTimes, the digital TV operator, and Eutelsat Communications have announced new multi-year agreements for accelerated roll-out of digital broadcasting services across Africa
StarTimes uses satellites to deliver its multi-channel TV platform to more than seven million homes in 13 sub-Saharan African countries and is preparing for its expansion into DR Congo and Zambia in August. The platform transmits more than 200 channels, including international channels, regional and country-focused channels as well as StarTimes’ own branded content.
StarTimes has renewed capacity contracts on two Eutelsat satellites as well as agreements for uplinking services provided by a partner teleport operated by STN in Slovenia. StarTimes has also secured extra capacity and plans to scale up further by the end of the year, to meet the demands of the growing expansion of Africa’s TV market. This expanded portfolio will equip the operator to host more services, uplink channels from Europe and Africa and provide higher levels of service continuity.
“StarTimes and Eutelsat are long-term strategic partners,” said StarTimes group chairman and President Pang Xinxing. “We rely on Eutelsat’s advanced satellite communication technology to make our signals available throughout the African continent. Going forward, we will continue to work with Eutelsat to provide the best digital TV service to our African customers.”
Eutelsat CEO Rodolphe Belmer added, “Eutelsat is fully engaged in the transformation of Africa’s broadcasting landscape and is proud to work with the players who are bringing the benefits of digital TV to viewers across the continent.” He pointed out that in leveraging diversified satellite resources, Eutelsat can help StarTimes achieve its goal of reaching 30mn homes in 30 African countries by 2018.
