Airtel Launches TV in Kenya

Following the failed merger with Telkom Kenya, Bharti Airtel’s Airtel Kenya has launched a TV app services in a bid to tap into the growing demand for movie streaming services and rev up data consumption on its network.

The free service is called Airtel TV and will allow users to watch movies, documentaries, music and cartoons, Airtel now joins a market that is heavily dominated by giants Netflix, Amazon and Showmax– which provide videos on demand.

“Airtel TV is set to revolutionise the video on demand and Live TV viewing experience via smartphones, offering Airtel customers access to the very best shows, movies and live television engagements for free. Airtel TV has no monthly subscriptions and is accessible as long as you have data for streaming,” said Prasanta Das Sarma, CEO Airtel Kenya.

The telco looks to earn money from data purchased rather than on subscriptions for now. The app is available for both Android and iOS users and customers will enjoy access to a range of content from top studios that will include movies, drama, documentaries, music, and cartoons including:
• BBC
• Nickelodeon
• Universal among others

Streaming shows has now become a norm for most Kenyans hence the need for companies to adjust, Dstv recently announced it would add Netflix and Amazon Prime Video to its platforms, in the same necessitated shift of strategy .