Smart TV Targets Kenyan House Holds with Set Top Boxes for their Pay TV services
The digital broadcasting transition in Kenya is set to ignite fierce competition in the local pay-TV market. Smart TV, a Swedish company owned by Next Generation Broadcasting (NGB), has partnered with Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), a state-owned free-to-air TV channel, to provide set-top boxes for the analog-to-digital migration. However, the competitive atmosphere has intensified with local TV stations filing a court case challenging Smart TV's collaboration with KBC. This legal battle has undeniably impacted Smart TV's anticipated business success.
Despite its aim to offer more affordable pay-TV subscriptions and challenge DStv's dominance, Smart TV is facing unexpected hurdles. The media owners' association has filed a court case questioning Smart TV's content and alleging "unfair favor" from KBC. While Smart TV's set-top boxes come with a one-month subscription to their pay-TV channels in addition to local free-to-air channels, the company's reputation has been affected by the ongoing court proceedings.
Kenya is expected to complete the transition from analog to digital broadcasting by 2012, a target it set ahead of the global deadline of 2015. Smart TV will operate on the digital platform implemented by the Kenyan government, following successful frequency testing. Households with older CRT TV sets will require a set-top box to receive digital transmissions on their televisions. Dan Kagwe, the group CEO, emphasized Smart TV's commitment to making pay-TV more affordable.
Further complicating matters for Smart TV is the recent government directive to ban the sale of Digital Video Broadcasting Terrestrial (DVBT1) set-top boxes. Instead, the government has advised the use of DVB-T2 set-top boxes, arguing that the new technology renders DVB-T1 obsolete.
Smart TV's channel lineup includes:
Smart TV set-top boxes are priced at Kshs 5,000, with an additional Kshs 990 for one month's subscription, bringing the total cost to Kshs 5,990. All local free-to-air channels will be accessible on Smart TV set-top boxes, even without a subscription, distinguishing them from their DStv counterparts. Unlike DStv, which primarily offers international channels, Smart TV intends to heavily invest in promoting local programming.
In response to Smart TV's entry into the local market, DStv has adjusted its pricing, reducing installation costs to Kshs 5,000 and introducing various bundle options starting as low as Kshs 830. Next Generation Broadcasting currently operates in Ghana and is planning to expand into Uganda after obtaining an operating license.
Despite its aim to offer more affordable pay-TV subscriptions and challenge DStv's dominance, Smart TV is facing unexpected hurdles. The media owners' association has filed a court case questioning Smart TV's content and alleging "unfair favor" from KBC. While Smart TV's set-top boxes come with a one-month subscription to their pay-TV channels in addition to local free-to-air channels, the company's reputation has been affected by the ongoing court proceedings.
Kenya is expected to complete the transition from analog to digital broadcasting by 2012, a target it set ahead of the global deadline of 2015. Smart TV will operate on the digital platform implemented by the Kenyan government, following successful frequency testing. Households with older CRT TV sets will require a set-top box to receive digital transmissions on their televisions. Dan Kagwe, the group CEO, emphasized Smart TV's commitment to making pay-TV more affordable.
Further complicating matters for Smart TV is the recent government directive to ban the sale of Digital Video Broadcasting Terrestrial (DVBT1) set-top boxes. Instead, the government has advised the use of DVB-T2 set-top boxes, arguing that the new technology renders DVB-T1 obsolete.
Smart TV's channel lineup includes:
- Africa Sports Network (ASN) broadcasting premier league and NBA games.
- Sentanta Sports covering major European football leagues and featuring exciting magazine programs.
- Fox Entertainment, offering popular shows.
- Hi Nolly, a West African entertainment channel.
- MTV Base, showcasing music.
- Star, providing Hollywood entertainment such as movies, fashion, and celebrity content.
- Kids Co, a children's entertainment channel.
Smart TV set-top boxes are priced at Kshs 5,000, with an additional Kshs 990 for one month's subscription, bringing the total cost to Kshs 5,990. All local free-to-air channels will be accessible on Smart TV set-top boxes, even without a subscription, distinguishing them from their DStv counterparts. Unlike DStv, which primarily offers international channels, Smart TV intends to heavily invest in promoting local programming.
In response to Smart TV's entry into the local market, DStv has adjusted its pricing, reducing installation costs to Kshs 5,000 and introducing various bundle options starting as low as Kshs 830. Next Generation Broadcasting currently operates in Ghana and is planning to expand into Uganda after obtaining an operating license.
This is a good approach to enable consumers have affordable worthy subscriber who give service value to their money.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining the rest of E. Africa with Digital broadcasting.Hope you will bring in quality programs which will be affordable to all Kenyans.Consider then bringing in the once free to air channels such as Channel e (original) from south africa together with all SABC1, SABC2 SABC3 and SABC news and all Kenyan local channels to include Classic TV, Kiss, Capital and those others.We are ready to embrace the good news.Please do so and in a hurry
ReplyDeleteI want to purchase the DVBT2 where can I get it from??secondly the DVBT2 is it working on your smart tv??I lik the programmes you are airing.Kudos
ReplyDelete@nicodemus, both DVB-T and DVB-T2 work on signet platform used by smart tv. You can visit smart tv offices @kaparo house upper hill for complete bouquet details
ReplyDeleteis smart tv signal strong all parts of kenya; Kanyumu from Kimana-Loitokitok Kenya.
ReplyDeleteSmart tv is currently available in Nairobi only, however arears near Nairobi like kiambu can recieve the signal. Smart tv broadcasts on kbc's owned signet platform, soon they will cover most parts in kenya.
ReplyDeleteHI,
ReplyDeletedoes smart Tv air all the barclays premier league matches and does it cover ngong area?
Ofcourse it covers ngong area, premier league matches depends on the channels on smart tv bouquet. As far as I know most premier league and Bundasliga matches are covered.
ReplyDeleteWith their current offer, I got excited and hurriedly bought the set top box. On realizing that there is a court case filed against them by Kenya Media Owners Association, could it be that that they are now out to make a kill whether they win or lose the case?.
ReplyDeleteOf what help will that box be to me if they lose the case?.
Please, advise cos am apprehensive when I remember what GTV did to me.
Hey SmartTv, What's happening?. The English Premier League is now on but you are not showing it live as promised while marketing your much publicised set top boxes.
ReplyDeleteYour competitors are showing it live when you are busy showing us repeats of the last season matches.
That does not make sense at all!!!!
nunua decoder yangu ya smart tv(complete good as new) at sh2500 and enjoy local channels in digital clarity. no jokes just call 0712495789 and say where you are in nairobi CBD, nitakuletea.
ReplyDelete