Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) in partnership with Next Generation Broadcasting (NGB) a Swedish firm launched a new digital Pay TV service. Dubbed SmartTV, the new product will televise under the Digital Terrestrial Television platform. A similar service has been previous rolled out in Ghana and Uganda is next on line with plans to flood their frequencies from next year.
NGB have partnered with KBC who own the digital platform and they will set up all over the country. The SMART set top boxes will be sold at KSh5000 and a subscription of Ksh990 for the channels, which is affordable compared to other offerings.

This launch marked the turning point of the two partners and the whole concept of digital migration. “Since the president launched digital migration last year in November, this is a milestone”, says Waithaka Waihenya, Managing Director, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.

80 years ago, the first colour television was launched in Europe and since then digital television is the next big thing. “The product is timely, especially with the various changes happening in Kenya, by unveiling the SMART TV, NGB is happy to be part of this revolution”, says Dan Kagwe, CEO NGB.

20 years ago there has been less than 0.1% penetration of pay television in Africa. While addressing the audience, Dan added that NGB intend to feel up the gap by better viewing, relevant content to the people and making sure entertainment is affordable to everyone in this country.

NGB will not do a boardroom television programming anymore; the content will be identified based on viewers interests and taste and effort will be made to ensure that it will most be local composition.

Irrespective of the location in Kenya, one will be able to access all the free aired channels plus 17 more smart television programs. SMART TV promises to wage a concerted battle for viewer loyalties in the mass market, the middle class segment with what the firm says is an affordable value–packed TV offering.

“Kenya is one of the first countries to launch DTT services, this is a significant breakthrough in the Digital Terrestrial Television in Kenya”, says Mohammed Nyaoga, Chairman NGB. He promised the consumers that the company will offer them quality content and for the producers it will be an opportunity for them to show their creativity.

The PS, Ministry of Information, Dr Bitange Ndemo who was present, reflected back when the president launched the digital TV last year. One of the strategies was to create content that will migrate from analog to digital, the deadline 2015, is around the corner. Kenya therefore needs to make this move by 2012 which includes the change of infrastructure to provide digital TV.

“ This is a great job done by NGB towards moving the country to the digital platform though any content that will be free to air must meet the country regulation which must be 40% local”, says Dr Ndemo.