Broadcasting
StarTimes Has Invested Over N20Bn in Nigeria – Bolaji
StarTimes NTA-Star TV Network Limited has avowed continued collaborations with the relevant government agencies for the Digital TV switchover In Nigeria, even as its investment in the country exceeds N20 billion.
Mr. Israel Bolaji, head, Public Relations and Communications of the Network in an extensive chat with Nigeria CommunicationsWeek said that they are committed to a smooth transition from analogue to digital broadcasting while enabling Nigerians to overcome entry barriers through affordability as Startimes equally showcases its premium channel offering and customer centered after sales services that will swiftly manage any challenges faced by the customers.
He said that as a platform for digital migration, they are ever committed to supporting Nigerians actualize the 2015 deadline by ensuring that Nigerians get the best of digital television at an affordable price.
And are poised to aid Nigeria migrate successfully from analogue to digital television transmission and revolutionize the digital broadcasting industry by providing quality digital TV experience that is enjoyable and accessible Digital television, Bolaji explained, implies a situation where viewers cannot get channels and signal transmission through the analogue television any longer.
“You will need to get a decoder also called Set-top-box then connect it to your analogue television and recharge the decoder to get transmission and view channels or stations. While some people have done this, there are still many people who have not. This nationwide camapign is supporting these unconnected people to get connected.
“The idea is that there exists a global mandate for nations to broadcast TV signal by digital transmission only. In effect, the regulatory body locally here is expected to switch off analogue and switch on digital broadcasting only. This is expected to happen in 2015 in Nigeria and other African countries. Other nations around the world are also doing the same with their respective set target dates and time lines,” he said.
On digital Tv overview in Nigeria, Bolaji, who has been involved with PR and communications campaigns of several blue-chip clients like Apple, Emirates Airlines, Cotecna switzerland, GlaxoSmithKline, Nestle, Intel Corporation, Nokia, Chevron, Microsoft, Hong Kong Trade delegations, FedEx Redstar Express and other global brands in Africa, said, “Since StarTimes established our business imprint in the Nigerian pay TV space in 2010, our clear mandate has been to revolutionize the industry which was hitherto characterized by a situation in which only a few rich people could afford digital television, to a whole new level where everyone can now have access and enjoy quality fully digitalized television experience.
“From the days of massive dish to handy stylish plug and play decoders. After the entrance of StarTimes into Nigeria, household no longer have to pay through their noseto watch television. This is clearly in tandem with our mission to enable every African and by extension; Nigerian households have access to, watch and enjoy digital television. And in the last five years we have committed fully to delighting Nigerians with good picture quality, clear signals, and acquisition of exciting local and international channels for every category and class of people in the society from the kids to teenagers, youth, sports lovers, movie lovers, music, fashion and lifestyle. We currently offer over 80 channels cutting across all these categories.
“Currently, we have a situation where we still have both analogue and Digital TV running together but that will soon change in 2015. What will happen is Nigerians will only be able to watch their favourite programs with their regular television plus a decoder or get a TV with integrated or inbuilt decoder.
“So, it is for the many who currently don’t own a decoder or a TV with integrated decoder to get it and for everyone to enjoy the full benefits of digital TV. The digital switch is a global mandate and not just a Nigerian issue and what is good for the whole world is good for us too in Nigeria but it involves huge resources for capacity building, infrastructure development, up to date equipment for digital broadcasting and signal transmission, acquiring decoders, educating the Nigerian public on the comparative advantages of digital over analogue.
“The Digital television migration is a Nigerian Government initiative resulting from the decision of the Regional Radio Conference of 2006 in Geneva, Switzerland (RRC-06) under the auspices of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Nigeria, as a member of the ITU, is required to implement the resolution reached at the RRC-06 to migrate from analogue to digital terrestrial TV broadcasting by 2015.
“The rest of the world is migrating to digital broadcasting and analogue broadcasting will not be protected from interference after 2015. The primary difference, and advantage, of digital broadcasting is the use of multiplex transmitters to allow reception of multiple channels on a single frequency range known as sub-channels. While analogue television requires a large amount of bandwidth to transmit sound and picture, digital signals require much less bandwidth and can therefore carry more content and provide better quality pictures and sound”.
Nigeria kicked off the transition from analogue to Digital Broadcasting with StarTimes flagging off and switching on digital transmission in June 2014 in Jos, Plateau State as a pilot phase but plans to switch off analogue and switch on digital transmission nationwide in 2015.
The process is driven by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) with other service providers and stakeholders and StarTimes is collaborating with government to make it a reality in Nigeria.
Over time, Bolaji said, StarTimes has invested heavily in Nigeria. According to Bolaji, holder of Masters degreein English from the University of Lagos and a Professional Diploma in Public Relations and Management, “StarTimes is poised through innovative marketing strategies to increase its market share and footprint in the Nigerian and African DTV market. Already, we are strong in 13 African countries and with plans to expand even more.
As part of the expansion drive, StarTimes has invested over NGN5 billion (US$31 million) in its operations in Nigeria with over 2 million subscribers. The value of our investment in Nigeria now stands at over NGN20 billion (US$124.2 million)”.
Recently, the Station unveiled ‘Nova’ bouquet, aimed at putting smile on everyone’s face.
On this, he said, “It is about happiness for all through refreshing entertainment. Our strategy for digital migration is continuous collaboration with government and others partners as well as unlocking opportunities through affordable pricing. As at date, Nova is the most affordable bouquet ever introduced in Nigeria and the best offer so far to truly make the digital television accessible to many.
“We are talking about paying only about N17 to watch over 15 exciting local and international channels… On plans for more channels he said, “Yes, we are planning to add more channels. It has never been this good and easy.
Nova is the latest bold move by StarTimes to enable more Nigerians conveniently switch over to and enjoy full digital television experience, and was launched recently ahead of the digital switch over deadline.
“Interestingly, d Nova is also coming at a time when StarTimes is also still giving out decoders for free upon subscription recharge.
The NOVA Bouquet Set was motivated by StarTimes observation that the cost of acquiring the decoders is a major factor to growing access; “we have therefore considered making it very affordable for them to acquire and access our digital television service. We have also strengthened our customer feedback and interactive points like the call centre and after sales support services to further bolster our offering”.
StarTimes was founded in 1988 with her headquarter in Beijing, and it is a Digital Television service provider that currently operates in 13 African countries where the company has adopted Digital TV technology establishing a powerful and secure multi-frequency and multi-channel digital wireless TV transmission platform.
StarTimes has combined satellite with terrestrial technology thereby facilitating the transmission of more than 100 local and international television channels covering news, sports, music, movies, TV series, religion, entertainment and documentaries all of which are available across the African operations.
Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has warned disc jockeys (DJs) against publicly playing music without proper authorization or a valid license.
NAN reports that John Asein, NCC director-general, gave the warning in an advisory issued in Abuja.
He said the commission’s attention had been drawn to the growing practice of DJs playing music in public spaces without obtaining copyright licences from their approved collective management organisations (CMOs).
Asein said under sections 9 and 12 of the Copyright Act, 2022, only the owner of copyright in a musical work or sound recording has the exclusive right to reproduce, perform, or communicate it to the public.
The NCC threatened to prosecute defaulters in a case that could lead to a N1 million fine or a 5-year jail term upon conviction.
“Engaging in any of these acts without the owner’s authorisation constitutes an infringement under the Act,” he said.
“Such infringement may constitute a civil wrong or a criminal offence under section 44 (7), punishable upon conviction by a fine of not less than N1 million or imprisonment for a term of not less than five years or to both.”
Asein advised DJs to obtain the necessary licences and pay royalties to the approved CMO before performing music publicly.
The NCC director-general added that the commission will arrest and prosecute anyone found violating the law.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the approved CMO for musical works and sound recordings in Nigeria is the Musical Copyright Society, Nigeria (MCSN),” he said.
“The Commission is aware that the Disc Jockey’s Association of Nigeria (DJAN), as the umbrella body representing DJs in Nigeria, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with MCSN.
“Under the arrangement, DJAN is authorised to work with MCSN to facilitate the payment of royalties by DJs nationwide, based on the tariff that DJAN had negotiated with MCSN.”
Netflix has increased its subscription fees in Nigeria for the third time since 2024, with the Premium Plan rising by 21.43%, from ₦7,000 to ₦8,500 per month.
This marks the streaming platform’s first price adjustment in 2025.
Other subscription tiers have also been affected.
The Standard Plan now costs ₦6,500, up from ₦5,500—a hike of 18.18%.
The Basic Plan has increased from ₦3,500 to ₦4,000, while the Mobile Plan moved from ₦2,200 to ₦2,500, reflecting increases of 14.29% and 13.64% respectively.
The latest adjustment aligns with Netflix’s broader global pricing strategy, which the company has linked to its ongoing investment in content and platform development. In a previous communication to investors, Netflix stated, “As we invest in and improve Netflix, we’ll occasionally ask our members to pay a little extra to reflect those improvements. Which in turn helps drive the positive flywheel of additional investment to further improve and grow our service.”
While the company did not explicitly cite inflation in its most recent update, its website indicates that local economic factors influence its pricing structure.
“Price changes are made to respond to local market changes, such as changes to local taxes or inflation,” the statement read.
The move mirrors similar pricing shifts among other major digital and entertainment services in Nigeria.
Companies including Google, DSTV, GOtv, and Microsoft have also raised subscription rates, attributing their decisions to continued inflationary pressures and a weakening naira.
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) have jointly introduced “The Big Picture’, a flagship initiative under Nigeria’s renewed Digital Switchover (DSO) project.
Under the project, Nigerian households will for the first time, gain access to high-quality digital broadcasts via affordable satellite dishes, hybrid devices, and internet-enabled set-top boxes.
Backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda, this strategic shift marks a significant step toward transforming Nigeria’s broadcasting landscape by leveraging the country’s sovereign satellite infrastructure.
At the heart of the initiative is NigComSat-1R, Nigeria’s only communications satellite in orbit, which will play a critical role in delivering Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcasts across the entire Nigerian territory.
This satellite-first approach eliminates the traditional dependence on terrestrial transmission towers, accelerating the nationwide rollout of digital broadcasting by over 65%.
It also offers a scalable, cost-effective, and future-ready model for expanding digital access and promoting national storytelling.
Key figures, including: Charles Ebuebu, director-general, NBC; and Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, managing director, Nigcomsat, have welcomed this forward-thinking strategy, emphasising its importance in maximising the use of national satellite assets and ensuring inclusive access to digital content.
An estimated 10 million homes equipped with DVB-S2-compatible televisions or decoders will have immediate access to free-to-air channels, while others will benefit from next-generation hybrid devices that combine satellite feeds with online streaming capabilities.
These new branded devices are designed with the country’s youth-dominated demographic in mind over 60% of the population is under the age of 25.
They will feature pre-installed apps, voice search functionality, parental controls, and seamless integration with NigComSat’s Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), offering an intuitive and engaging user experience.
In a data-driven upgrade to Nigeria’s broadcasting ecosystem, NBC is also partnering with global analytics firm GARB to introduce real-time audience measurement technology.
This will enable broadcasters, advertisers and content creators to analyse viewership trends across regions and devices, helping to tailor content more effectively and drive higher audience engagement. The introduction of this system is expected to boost advertising revenue by as much as 300% by 2026.
The success of “The Big Picture” will rely on robust collaboration between public and private stakeholders.
The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and other content partners are expected to supply 60% of programming for the new 120-channel platform, using both original and repurposed content.
Meanwhile, local manufacturers will contribute by producing around 5 million compliant devices annually, a move projected to create over 20,000 jobs in assembly plants nationwide.
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