StarTimes launches pay TV service in Ghana

Chinese pay TV operator StarTimes has launched a service in Ghana, offering a range of packages with up to 440 channels including both local and international services.

StarTimes is offering three packages in Ghana – Super for GHS60 (€13.50), with over 90 channels, Smart, for GHS30, offering 60 channelos, and Nova for GHS15, which provides 30 channels. A range of Chinese and Indian add-on channels are available for GHS80.

Payment can be made via mobile payment system SlydePay, developed by local IT specialist DreamOval.

StarTimes is offering the service via a set-top box that provides reception of both pay TV and free channels, which is retailed for around GHS140.

StarTimes currently offers services to about eight million homes across sub-Saharan Africa, where it compete with incumbent pay TV operator MultiChoice.

The company has had a rocky road to get to the point of launching a service in Ghana. Two years ago it became involved in a legal dispute with the country’s government over a cancelled contract to provide digital-terrestrial services to pave the way for Ghanaian digital switchover.