This archive report was first published on 5 August 2019.
On August 5, 2019, StarTimes Media, a Chinese pay-TV firm, announced a significant investment in the Kenyan market. The company has injected Sh200 million towards developing Kenyan content for its newly unveiled channel, Rembo TV.
Rembo TV is a 24-hour channel that mainly targets women with local programmes. The channel has a bias for reality television shows and has a language policy that ensures 60 percent, 30 percent, and 10 percent of programmes are done in Kiswahili, English, and vernacular languages, respectively.
StarTimes has partnered with over 30 content developers in the country to ensure a constant supply of fresh content. The channel will be available across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
According to StarTimes chief executive officer Andy Wang, the investment in Rembo TV is a statement of the company's long-term commitment to the Kenyan market. 'Our investment in Rembo TV is a statement of our long-term commitment to the Kenyan market. As the 24-hour channel goes live, we intend to be home of uninterrupted entertainment attending to our subscribers demand for reality TV shows,' Wang said.
Rembo TV will be available on all StarTimes bouquet options, both on terrestrial and satellite platforms. This move comes at a time when pay-TV subscription rates have dropped significantly due to increased competition.
The Kenya Film Commission (KFC) and the Communications Authority of Kenya have hailed StarTimes for investing in the development of local content. 'Focus on local content by Rembo TV is a welcome move that creates employment and opportunities for players in the local film industry,' said KFC chief executive officer Timothy Owase.
