After taking securing voice, money transfer and data markets, Safaricom now wants your eyes balls.
The mobile operator has applied for a licence to operate a commercial free-to-air television station, Business Daily reports, to compete against established broadcasters like Citizen, NTV, KTN and KBC.
Communications Authority of Kenya Director General Francis Wangusi has given anyone with objections to this application 30 days to present views to the regulator. Safaricom said it did not wish to disclose more details about its planned entry into TV broadcasting untill it secures the licence.
“We are still in the initial stages of discussions with content providers and will be able to respond more comprehensively on what content subscribers can enjoy once we have all the required licences,” Corporate Affairs director Stephen Chege is quoted as saying.
Safaricom joins hundreds of investors who have moved to take advantage of the recent migration from analogue to digital broadcasting, which allows them to set up TV stations without having to invest in expensive infrastructure such as transmitters. But broadcasters have to provide 60% local content in four years.
Safaricom, which is already supplying TV decoders branded ‘the Big Box’ with embedded internet, may go for premium local content.
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