StarTimes Increases Capacity Lease with Eutelsat

Photo: StarTimes / Eutelsat

[Via Satellite 07-07-2016] StarTimes, one of the fastest-growing operators of digital TV networks in Africa, 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. In anticipation of continued expansion of Africa’s TV market, StarTimes has also secured extra capacity and plans to scale up further by the end of the year. This expanded portfolio equips StarTimes to host more services and uplink channels from Europe and 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 gearing up to expand into DRC 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. Content is offered both on a Free-to-View and pay-TV basis, with exclusive programming including frontline events such as the Bundesliga and the 2016 Copa.

“In leveraging diversified satellite resources we can help StarTimes achieve its ambition to reach 30 million homes in 30 African countries by 2018,” said Rodolphe Belmer, CEO of Eutelsat.