StarTimes Offers Exclusive Channels as it Partners iROKO
leading digital television service provider, StarTimes has achieved a laudable feat towards enriching its content, expanding the scope of its viewership and bridging the gap between Nigerians and the digital television migration.
The Milestone was achieved as Africa's fastest growing Pay TV operator signed an exclusive deal with iROKO in France recently. StarTimes formed a formidable partnership with the online movie platform to offer its 4.6 million+ subscribers two new sought-after channels, which are iROKO PLAY and iROKO PLUS, on the leading African Pay TV platform in 14 countries across the globe. The deal signals a considerable investment in Nollywood entertainment by StarTimes.
With this development, subscribers have the choice of viewing entertaining channels on iROKO PLAY, which is available on the StarTimes Basic Bouquet, with classic Nollywood movies from 2007 onwards, with a brand new exclusive movie added to the schedule each month, starting with Royal Fathers in May; or iROKO PLUS, that is on the StarTimes Unique Bouquet offering Nollywood movies from 2011 onwards, with the addition of an exclusive brand new movie every week. As part of the 24/7 programming schedule, aside from the movies, both channels also feature behind-the-scenes interviews with the stars and magazine shows.
Public Relations Manager, StarTimes, NTA Star-TV Network, Mr. Israel Bolaji, describes the milestone as a significant advance in the DTV company's quest to become the home of premier African film and television content. Throughout the global African Diaspora, the brand of the new channels is synonymous with high-quality, cutting-edge Nollywood-filmed entertainment with an extensive catalogue of prime-time Nollywood movies that resonates well with the vision of StarTimes, which is to provide every African family access to high-quality digital entertainment. "Our exclusive partnership with iROKO allows us to nurture an 'axis of content excellence', as well as more clearly differentiate our value proposition which in turn gives us the means to deliver the very best Nollywood movies and series to our subscriber-base," he stated.
Bolaji disclosed that blockbusters like Alvina, Nkuli, Could This Be Love and Mother's Error are outlined for the launch of iROKO PLUS, and classics like Desperate To Survive, The Beast and Classic Love will show on iROKO PLAY, alongside one blockbuster every month. "Our efforts are also geared towards closing the huge gap between the people and the Digital TV switch campaign, by creating a robust and improved digital television experience that is constantly refreshed. Increasingly, more Nigerians can also gain access to an impactful and explosive digital television experience," he added.
Jason Njoku, CEO of iROKO, disclosed that the launching of iROKO PLAY and iROKO PLUS on the leading DTV company is an exciting milestone for the company. He says: "We're known primarily for leading OTT content delivery across Africa through iROKOtv.com , but with digital migration spreading rapidly throughout the continent, now is the right time for us to diversify our distribution model and expand into the Linear TV market. StarTimes are very much focused on bringing the very best entertainment to as many people as possible at an affordable price an ethos that is close to our hearts, which is why this new landmark partnership is so befitting".