Chinese StarTimes celebrates 'smooth operation' in Nigeria

Chinese pay TV firm StarTimes celebrated its three years of smooth operation in Nigeria on Thursday, hoping to achieve more as years are rolling by.

The management of the digital TV firm, in a statement made available to Xinhua, said in collaboration with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), its partners in Nigeria, the organization has recorded huge success by developing capacity at all levels in all different states to ensure that it is able to cater for the increased demand for content, both at technological level and at service level.

"With this, StarTimes has created various job opportunities and stimulated economic development also engaged in corporate social responsibilities," the management said.

According to the statement, more than 1.5 million customers have subscribed to the pay TV firm since inception in 2010 and its mission of ensuring every home in Nigeria gets quality and affordable digital entertainment is fast becoming a reality.

Transmitting over 70 channels, StarTimes said it has revolutionized the pay TV industry in Nigeria, as it currently boasts unbeatable quality channels that reflect more than 40 percent local content that portrays the Nigerian culture and creative diversity in a positive and proper perspective.

"Today, like the rest of the world, StarTimes is in the process of successfully migrating terrestrial television broadcasting from analog to digital technology, as prescribed by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in 2006," the company said, adding it has, among others, won many awards including the prestigious Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Award (NBMA 2012) and People Order of Merit/Nigerian Advancement Award (NADVAN 2013) as best pay TV provider in Nigeria.

The digital terrestrial television management said at present, it has covered only 17 out of the 36 states of Nigeria, with an hope that it would cover the remaining states before the end of this year.