MTN Uganda has entered the television and digital entertainment market with the launch of MTNTV, a platform bringing live television, radio, movies, sports, news and on-demand content together in a single service. The platform offers more than 60 live TV channels and 53 radio stations, giving customers access to both local and international content through one application.
MTNTV will operate under free and premium tiers. The free, or “freemium”, option provides basic content to customers with active data bundles, while premium users can access the full catalogue through daily, weekly and monthly subscriptions paid for using mobile money or airtime. The platform is available on smartphones, tablets, smart TVs and web browsers and can also be accessed through the Afromobile app, a product of Next Media.
Launching the platform, Uganda Communications Commission Director of Corporate Affairs Fred Otunnu said the regulator supports innovations that expand access to meaningful digital services, while urging responsible content production and consumption. “The next phase of Uganda’s digital transformation is ensuring that connectivity translates into services that create value for citizens and support socio-economic development,” Otunnu said.
MTN Uganda Chief Executive Officer Sylvia Mulinge said the platform responds to changing customer preferences and the growing role of entertainment in people’s digital lives. “Entertainment has become an integral part of our customers’ digital lives. Our responsibility is to anticipate those evolving needs and continue innovating to create greater value,” Mulinge said.
She said customers increasingly want flexibility in choosing what to watch, when to watch it and where to access it. MTNTV offers movies, television series, children’s programmes, sports, exclusive African originals and content produced by Ugandan creators. Mulinge said the company’s decision to add television to its portfolio was driven by the realisation that connectivity only becomes meaningful when it creates value for customers.“Connectivity should unlock opportunities, experiences and possibilities. As our customers embrace digital lifestyles, they are looking for more than access to the internet. They want quality entertainment, trusted information and content that reflects who they are,” she said.
Beyond providing entertainment to consumers, MTNTV is expected to create another distribution channel for Ugandan broadcasters, filmmakers, musicians and other content creators to reach wider audiences. Kevin Kaija, General Manager of Afromobile, said the partnership with MTN demonstrates the potential of collaboration in developing Africa’s digital content ecosystem.
“MTNTV is more than a streaming platform. It is a gateway for African stories, creators and broadcasters to reach wider audiences through world-class technology,” Kaija said. Customers with active data bundles can access the free content, while premium subscribers can unlock the full catalogue through daily, weekly or monthly packages.Premium users can also download selected content for offline viewing, stream on up to three devices simultaneously and create multiple profiles to personalise their viewing experience. The platform’s first major entertainment event will be singer King Saha’s Tondeka E’ Kololo concert scheduled for next Friday.
The launch positions MTN Uganda to compete for a share of Uganda’s rapidly evolving digital entertainment market while providing broadcasters and content creators with another platform for distribution and monetisation-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
