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    Pay TV viewership race hots up

    The battle for pay television viewership numbers in Kenya is getting hotter.

    Nairobi - As the latest entrant - GTV counts days before it launches in Kenya in June 29, South Africa pay station DSTV is already warming up for a tough race with GTV.

    In a move that will considerably see the price of pay TV in Kenya come down, DStv has launched a new package known as the DStv Family bouquet. DStv has positioned the new product as value packed - at an affordable price. It has 23 video channels and 35 hip digital audio channels for a price of KSh 1,350 (US$19) a month.

    “We listened to the market, researched extensively to find solutions and held detailed consultations with stakeholders in an effort to provide another package that balances desire with affordability. DStv Family a direct response to the need of DStv lovers for a special package that caters to the home entertainment needs of the family at a reduced rate. There's still the same excitement and entertainment that DStv delivers, now at a reduced rate in a new package, specifically created for families,” says Richard Tembedza MultiChoice Kenya General Manager.

    According to a press statement from DStv, the company claims that its Family bouquet will offer extensive choice for the entire family by combining general entertainment, movies, documentaries, news, children's programming, music, religion and sport. It has also included Kenyan free channels as part of the package.

    DStv seems to be reacting to competition. According to Rhys Torrington, GTV Commercial Director, GTV is looking at pricing its product at half price of DStv. “We are targeting the upwardly mobile individuals who on weekends would probably catch a movie or rent DVDs. By making GTV affordable more people will prefer to subscribe,” says Torrington in an interview in Nairobi recently.

    GTV will launch its service in Kenya and Uganda on June 29, in Tanzania on July 1 and August 1 in Zambia and Namibia.

    About Carole Kimutai

    Carole Kimutai is a writer and editor based in Nairobi, Kenya. She is currently an MA student in New Media at the University of Leicester, UK. Follow her on Twitter at @CaroleKimutai.



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