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Chinese firm seeks to expand satellite broadcasting in Africa

Xinhua, July 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

Chinese digital television networks operator StarTimes says it has concluded multi-year agreements with French-based Eutelsat Communications setting the stage for accelerated roll-out of digital broadcasting services across Africa.

StarTimes Group chairman Pang Xinxing said Thursday StarTimes had renewed capacity contracts on two Eutelsat satellites as well as agreements for uplinking services provided by a partner teleport operated by Slovenia-headquartered satellite telecommunications network in anticipation of continued expansion of Africa's TV market.

"StarTimes and Eutelsat are long-term strategic partners. Going forward, we will continue to work with Eutelsat to provide the best digital TV service to our African customers,"Pan said in a statement received in Nairobi.

Pang added the Chinese firm had also secured extra capacity and had plans to scale up its business this year.

"This expanded portfolio equips StarTimes to host more services, uplink channels from Europe and Africa and provide the highest levels of service continuity," he said.

StarTimes uses satellites to deliver its multi-channel TV platform to over seven million homes in 13 sub-Saharan African countries and is gearing up to expand into DR Congo and Zambia in August.

The platform transmits over 200 channels, including international channels, regional and country-focused channels as well as StarTimes' own branded content.

Content is offered both on a Free-to-View and pay-TV basis, with exclusive programming including frontline events such as the Bundesliga and the 2016 Copa America.

Eutelsat CEO Rodolphe Belmer said the company is fully engaged in the transformation of Africa's broadcasting landscape and is proud to work with its partners which he said are bringing the benefits of digital TV to viewers across the continent. Edit