14th September, 2010
At its official launch in Abuja early this year, the management of the technology company which also pioneered pay television industry in China, promised Nigerians greater access to pay television services at an unbelievably affordable price.
True to its words, Startimes Television Network Limited is now providing its customers with over 35 cable television channels for just N1,000 monthly subscription.
Unlike other cable television services already operating in the country, Startimes uses Digital Video Broadcast on Terrestrial (DVB-T), a new technology which does not require a dish. It comes with just a decoder which is sold for N9,000. The technology guarantees stable signal in bad weather conditions like gusty and rainy days. It also eliminates the usual cost of installation.
Content wise, Startimes services comes with a package of channels that focuses on movies, documentaries, sports, kids/teens, musicals, religion and general entertainment.
There is no doubt that Startimes Cable Television services is a laudable revolution. Subscribers of the service have testified to the effeciency of the package, while some, however, are skeptic of the durability of the decoders and the continued efficiency of the services.
Some say with the notoriety of Chinese products in the Nigerian market, the services may just be a hype after all.
Responding to these fears, the Publicity Manager, Mr. Chidi Celestine Umeibe, assured Nigerians that with what the owners of the company have put on ground in terms of investment, it is in the country for quality and efficient service.
According to him, “we know the kind of fears that Nigerians have about Chinese products but we want to assure them that we are here for good. We have a strong partnership with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). In China, we have over seven million subscribers and the company has been in existence since 1988. We are also in many African countries and we hope to spread to over 20 countries on the continent in the next five years.
“Also, we have other projects in line, so Nigerians should be assured that we are here for good and that our services can only improve.â€
Consumersâ€
To some consumers who spoke to Consumersâ€
Responding to some of these observations, the companyâ€
A subscriber, Dan Shuaibu, who claims he has bee using the service for over two months, has this to say about the service:
“Really, I think it is a fantastic service. At least, those of us who could not afford cable television before, now have an opportunity to own one now. The content is okay but I think they can improve. I am a sports lover and naturally I expect them to feature current league matches. For now, the popular league games are not featured in any of the channels on their network. Well since they are just starting, may be with time, they will improve.
Another subscriber Michael Adewale said he has been enjoying the cable television since he bought it but that he would have loved it if premiership matches were featured in any of the sports channels. “Itâ€
Linda Adams who has experienced a problem with the services said “I noticed during a particular period that the film I was watching froze. Maybe it was because I did not use an external antennae but sometimes the channels keeps shaking.â€
Explaining why Linda and other subscribers may be experiencing such problem, Celestine said “some of our subscribers donâ€
For now, Startimes appears to be doing well, Consumersâ€