Nation Media Group (NMG), Royal Media Services (RMS) and Standard Group (SG) are part of consortium that wants to disrupt both the Television and Internet industry in Kenya.
The three companies, under the Africa Digital Network (ADN) consortium have placed orders to import upto150,000 digital TV free-to-air intenet-enabled set-top boxes that are set to retail for as low as Sh2,000 each according to according to Business Daily.
These devices will be used by Kenyans to access digital television that promises better sound and picture quality now that Kenya Communications Authority revealed that analogue TV signal will be switched off on 2nd February 2015. But the media houses are less concerned about offering free-to-air TV which they already are than getting new revenue streams.
That’s why the media houses are shipping decoders that are also internet-enabled. The intention is clear — make some money by selling internet to TV viewers.
Already Zuku TV Kenya, a digital TV service providers offers their customers a three-service package that involves Television, Internet and Telephone services over a single bill per month over one fibre optic cable connection.
Image: getty