Telecommunications firm Econet Media has extended its Kwesé TV brand through launching a new direct-to-home platform in three African markets.
Under the banner of Kwesé TV, the new pay-television satellite service commenced broadcasting to households in Ghana, Rwanda and Zambia yesterday (Monday). The three markets make up the initial phase of the Kwesé TV rollout across Africa, with other countries to be announced in due course.
Kwesé TV launches with the Kwesé Free Sports, Kwesé Sports 1 and Kwesé Sports 2 channels, which have already been in operation, along with entertainment programming.
Kwesé TV will offer a ‘pay-as-you-watch’ service that enables viewers to purchase three- or seven-day passes. The monthly subscription option, which gives subscribers access to the full suite of Kwesé TV programming, is available at $25 (€23) per month excluding VAT.
Econet Media president and group chief executive Joseph Hundah said: “The launch of Kwesé TV completes the story we started telling 18 months ago. We have spent the past few months building this diverse media company which will showcase the very best in international content and act as platform to showcase the best that our continent has to offer.”
Kwesé’s multi-platform offering will make content accessible though free-to-air television, mobile applications, web streaming and pay-television.
Econet has been steadily building Kwesé’s sports-rights portfolio. Its last significant deal came in November with the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations. The exclusive one-year deal will run until the end of October 2017 and includes the option of a two-year extension.