StarTimes adds 15 channels

Pay TV operator StarTimes is increasing its content offering with the addition of 15 channels, comprising a mix of local and international services.

The channels include Toonami, CBeebies, Human Right, Dunamis, Love Nature, Smithsonian, Colors TV, Sky News, Tiwa ‘n’ Tiwa and Filmbox, plus two of the platform’s own nets: ST School Junior and ST School Senior.

StarTimes is also adding two premium sports channels and NBCUniversal-owned animation network DreamWorks, which will join the service in September.

The Chinese-owned company claims to be the only player in the Nigerian market that offers flexible subscription options that fit into the pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model.

The addition of the new channels comes as StarTimes increases its monthly subscription rates for its Basic, Classic, Smart and Super packages. Its entry-level Nova package will remain at the same rate.

However, marketing manager Viki Liu said StarTimes’ efforts to make digital TV affordable to all families had led to significant reductions in the cost of pay TV in Nigeria in general, from an average of US$50 per month to US$3-5 per month.

“The pay-as-you-go options are available for all bouquets. Whether a customer subscribes daily, weekly or monthly to a bouquet, he or she will have access to the same channels and services,” said Liu.

“Although the sharp drop in [the value of the] naira has forced the brand to adjust some of its bouquet prices upwards from August 1, subscribers will get more value for what they are paying, without compromising affordability.

Earlier this year, Nigeria’s federal government increased the rate of VAT from 5% to 7.5%, an extra cost that Liu claimed StarTimes was bearing itself instead of passing on to its customers.

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