KAMPALA – Pay-TV provider, StarTimes has opened free access to over 100 international and local channels on its streaming media app, the StarTimes ON during the coronavirus lockdown.
The company is implementing plans to help people working from home get access to timely COVID-19 updates via popular news channels on the StarTimes ON platform.
Isma Lule, the Brand and Marketing Director at StarTimes Uganda announced the company’s move to go free on the streaming app.
He said that StarTimes is contributing to making people safe during this tough time.
“We opened the free access to channels and further upgraded StarTimes ON coding technology to decrease again the broadband traffic. Users will spend even less data [volume] and enjoy more content while using our APP,’ Mr. Lule said.
Key among the channels are France 24, KTN News (Kenya), TVC News (Nigeria) in News category and Trace Mziki, TV5 Monde, DA Vinci in entertainment and education categories.
As the lack of live sports is proving a headache for networks and subscribers, the broadcaster says that news TV series, reality shows, children’s programmes were prioritized because they play an important role in TV broadcasting across Africa.
Mr. Lule noted that subscribers can also enjoy both live and VOD content through StarTimes ON anytime and anywhere.
There is a variety of content includes top TV series, local films, educational documentaries and children programmes on more than 150 live channels across Africa as well as in the on-demand programming storage of more than 20,000 hours.
With the large-capacity content storage and high identification of network quality, StarTimes ON even is able to offer additional value to the users to save up to 30% data consumption comparing to the other streaming media platforms.
Sector regulator, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has commended StarTimes for waiving the charges on the app during the tough times.
Speaking to this website, Eng. Irene Kaggwa Sewankambo; Acting Executive Director at UCC said: “This is a classic example of a policy friendly product and service in the public interest”.
