Of StarTimes, NBC and Digital Migration
Emma Okonji writes on the failing role of the National Broadcasting Commission in digital migration, and how StarTimes and other digital television service providers are pushing for its actualisation
With barely one month to the June 17 deadline given to Nigeria to migrate from analogue broadcasting to digital broadcasting, it appears that the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), which is the government agency responsible for harnessing the smooth migration, is failing in its role. This is so because there are no signs of adequate preparation, despite the sufficient time given to Nigeria by the International Telecoms Union (ITU) to migrate.
The journey towards the digital terrestrial television broadcasting (DTT), actually started in Nigeria in June 17, 2006, which is about eight years ago. The journey is expected to come to an end on June 17, 2015, which is barely one month away, yet there are no concrete preparations on ground on the part of government. In 2007, the federal government approved the process of migration, and through the NBC, set a new deadline of January 1, 2015 as the switch off date.
In a planned effort to achieve the new deadline set for itself, a Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) on transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, was inaugurated in 2008. The committee was mandated to come up with a recommended policy, regulatory framework and a broadcasting model for the process. The committee submitted its report in 2009 with several recommendations. Government, however, kept the recommendations for three years without action, until December 2012, when the federal government was moved to inaugurate a 14-man team tagged ‘Digiteam Nigeria,’ with Mr. Edward Amana as the Chairman, to drive the process.
Although the Digiteam, in collaboration with the NBC, was ready to conclude the migration by January 1, 2015, but it was faced with cash constraints, as the federal government did not release the necessary funds for the migration, even though the structure to achieve the feat had been put in place by the committee and the NBC.
When the expected funds from government was not forthcoming, the NBC decided to partner digital television service providers like StarTimes to give Nigeria a feel of digital television broadcasting, designed to break the barrier that could hinder Nigerians from enjoying digital terrestrial television transmission. Implication Non-migration If in the next four weeks Nigeria is unable to migrate from analogue to digital television transmission, it means that local television stations will still be transmitting from their analogue broadcasting facilities, as it is currently being done. The implication is that the local television stations will not be able to receive and transmit digitally, since the country will be cut off from digital television transmission, except for the transmission of pay TV providers, like StarTimes, whose services are subscription based.
It therefore means that if they continue to transmit through analogue facilities, they will be creating digital transmission interference to border countries that are fully digitised in their broadcasting operations, a situation that will attract heavy sanctions and penalties on Nigeria by the ITU.
To avert this, Umana told THISDAY that government was planning to digitize local television stations in border countries in order to avoid transmission interference. Analysts are, however, skeptical that government could achieve this in few weeks time, when it could not make any meaningful progress in over eight years. The StarTimes experience StarTimes, a digital television service provider, is one brand that is currently helping Nigeria to achieve digital broadcasting to Nigerian homes, on a subscription basis.
The brand, StarTimes, is synonymous with innovation, creativity and quality service that are linked to its commitment and dedication, as a foremost digital TV service provider that is adding value for Nigerians towards digital migration in 2015.
Creativity and innovation are keys to successful digital television service provisioning, and StarTimes is assuring its existing and potential subscribers of its determination to offer more innovative and affordable sought-after channels across its bouquets.
Having broken the barrier hindering Nigerians from owning a Pay TV, StarTimes links several homes across social status to Digital TV, which is a global phenomenon, with its four-television bouquet fully loaded, sought-after channels. Now, StarTimes makes digital TV affordable and enjoyable for Nigerians, including those who are yet to get a decoder. Getting a decoder and recharging regularly has been made very easy and convenient.
The channels are aimed at offering the company’s countless subscribers more robust and improved digital television (DTV) experience, as the country approaches the full Digital TV switch over later in 2015. With the help of StarTimes, Nigerians now enjoy a refreshing digital television experience with N600 subscription on Nova, N1,200 for Basic, Classic for N2,400 and Unique goes for N3,600 every month. With focus on ensuring that DTV becomes affordable and enjoyable to all, StarTimes decoder now goes for N990 with N2,400 minimum subscription.
Apart from the affordable bouquets, the indigenous service provider also recorded a milestone recently when it signed an exclusive deal with iROKOtv, an online movie platform in France. StarTimes’ partnership with the company is to offer its over 4.6 million subscribers two new sought-after channels, which are iROKO PLAY and iROKO PLUS, on the leading African Pay TV platform in 14 countries across the globe. The Benefits With this feat, StarTimes subscribers now have the choice of viewing several entertaining and educating channels like iROKO PLAY, which is available on the StarTimes Classic Bouquet, with classic Nollywood movies from 2007 onwards, with a brand new exclusive movie added to the schedule each month.
Others are AMC Series, Star Zone, Child Smile, Star Kungfu, Star Dadin Kowa, CCTV News, Star Music, IQRAA and TBN, and Star Sport Focus.
Star Sport Focus, an exclusive sports news bulletin channel, can be viewed on both StarTimes (channel 250) and on StarSat (channel 240). This new channel is available on all StarTimes and StarSat bouquets. The channel offers subscribers a dynamic fast-paced overview of sports as a whole, and brings to viewers a 90-minutes sports news content block daily and content for magazine shows. Viewers can also watch the best action of top leagues in Africa, La Liga, Bundesliga and many more on Goalissimo. It promotes African Sports via Sports News Africa and shows exciting news and information on wrestling, top football leagues and other favourite sports actions. Viewers can follow choice legendary sports stars from Africa and all over the world on the new channel. Affordability Commenting on the development, Public Relations Manager, StarTimes, NTA Star-TV Network, Mr. Israel Bolaji, said digital TV is for all, and as such, it should be affordable to all Nigerians. He further added: “The increase in the number of relevant channels on the bouquet was done in a bid to continue to satisfy Nigerians. We are working hard and smart to prepare Nigerians towards digital migration by offering our customers affordable bundle that makes a convenient switch over from analogue to digital television and promote inspirational television experience that creates values.”
Bolaji explains that the company introduces new channels to break the barrier and offer more affordable and efficient services to both existing and potential subscribers, adding that digital TV is not meant for the high and mighty in the society but for all, and as such, affordable service should not be a barrier for all Nigerians. “The increase in the number of relevant channels on our bouquets was done in a bid to continue to satisfy Nigerians. We work smart to improve the quality and quantity of our services and also whet the appetites of Nigerians towards digital migration with our priceless bundle. We are determined to ensure no Nigerian home is left behind in the digital TV migration by 2015,” he said. Additional bouquet Apart from other bouquets, StarTimes also launched StarTimes Light, a new stylish and compact DVB-T2 decoder. According to Bolaji, the decoder is smaller, lighter and handy set top box, designed to suit the fashionable, classy and trendy lifestyle of Nigerian subscribers without paying anything extra. “It is fully DVB-T2 and DVB-T compliant with digital picture quality, simple remote control and friendly user interface. It also comes with automatic software upgrade, allows users edit favourite channels and enjoy parental control,” he added.
With an array of interesting channels for sports, music, movies, news, kids and teens’ entertainment, documentary, religion and gadget, Bolaji said: “StarTimes is set to support Nigerians towards digital migration by offering them valuable family entertainment at an affordable rate that makes a convenient switch over from analogue to digital television and promote inspirational television experience that creates values.”
As a company that is committed to quality service and after sale service, Bolaji emphasised that StarTimes provides door-to-door services, which unveils the originality and selfless service of the brand as its major concern is not just to provide digital television experience. “We show care and give needed support to our customers. Our door-to-door after sales duties include: outdoor antennal installation to subscribers on purchase of the decoder, product usage, technical assistance and other services required to be delivered,” Bolaji said.
With the presence of StarTimes and its several bouquets, Nigerians are sure of enjoying digital television transmission, in spite of the difficulties the NBC is having, in an attempt to migrate the country from analogue broadcasting to digital broadcasting.