Kwese TV targets increase in 30 per cent African TV viewership

While Kwese TV, a new television operator in Nigeria is offering ‘pay as you watch’ subscription, a revolutionary initiative, the firm’s long term target is to increase television viewers in Africa, which is currently put at 30 per cent.

The President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Econet Media, Joseph Hundah, who disclosed this at the launch of the platform in Lagos, said Nigeria remains a strategic market for the platform.

Hundah explained that KweseTV, which has already started operations, would offer customers ‘Pay-as-you-watch’ subscription packages for premium programming.

The package, he said enables consumers to purchase three and seven-day subscriptions at N990 and N1, 850, as well as a 30-day subscription option for N6, 275.

“PayTv in Africa versus the rest of the world, is still very low, going by the number of household TV owners, which is still around 30 per cent penetration, which is much lower compared to the rest of the world. The target of Kwese TV is to among others increase TV ownership in Nigeria and other part of Africa,” he said.

Kwese TV belongs to the Econet Group, founded by Strive Masiyiwa.

According to a report by Frost & Sullivan, Nigeria is Africa’s second most developed PayTv market, which has “Pay-Tv, Video-on-Demand and Internet Protocol television (IPTV) Growth Opportunities in Africa.”

The report revealed that the PayTv, video-on-demand (VOD) and IPTV services market is growing rapidly as significant Internet penetration and smartphone adoption in Africa alter the manner in which consumers view content.

The General Manager, Mrs. Elizabeth Amkpa, said: “At Kwese, we have strong general entertainment and sports programming line-up, which we believe would be well received by viewers of all ages.

Amkpa said the platform has already created jobs directly and indirectly, with 600 offices and 1000 dealers across the country.

She explained that the full Kwese TV bouquet offers over 65 channels of pure entertainment with well-known international and homegrown channels.

“With Kwesé, content is not only accessible through our multi-platform service, but also through a revolutionary payment model. Kwesé is at the forefront of innovation through pioneering ground-breaking payment options that offer flexibility and convenience in the industry,” Amkpa stressed.