This archive report was first published on 6 August 2019.
On August 6, 2019, StarTimes Media launched Rembo TV, a self-produced TV channel, with an investment of Ksh 200 Million ($200m) in Kenya.
The channel will work with over 30 content developers in the country, focusing on reality television shows targeting the women audience and featuring a language policy comprising of 60% Kiswahili, 30% English, and 10% vernacular.
According to StarTimes Chief Executive Officer Mr. Andy Wang, “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 to uninterrupted entertainment, attending to our subscribers' demand for reality TV shows.”
Rembo TV will be available in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, presenting an enviable platform to market Kenyan productions across the region.
The channel will be available on all StarTimes bouquet options, both on terrestrial and satellite platforms, with the company eyeing growth in subscriber retention as well as listing new subscribers keen on the improved content towards growing the pay television company's market share.
Communication Authority Director General Mr. Francis Wangusi challenged broadcasters to also focus on niche content such as children's content towards achieving the 60% local content threshold.
The continued investments in local productions are an indicator of the growth experienced in the industry, with the commission aggressively positioning Kenyan productions to rival other competing industries in neighboring Tanzania and Nigeria.
These latest developments follow closely to the recent terrestrial bouquet realignment, which resulted in a 50% price drop for StarTimes' superior Classic bouquet, now retailing at only Ksh. 749, with the other two bouquets being Basic and Nyota retailing at Ksh. 599 and Ksh. 259 respectively.
