Popular local FTA channels like Bukedde, NTV,NBS are some of the stations already shipped to the new Startimes app, while Football fans can further enjoy StarTimes Uganda Premier League, Bundesliga, French League 1 and other sports like boxing, rugby, basketball, cricket on the Sports premium, world football, and sports life channels.

However, Startimes officials so far not inked any direct modes of payment whether it can further be shared with an existing decoder package or preloaded through mobile money, though the company’s assistant marketing lead promised more diverse content on the platform

“More excellent international and local channels will be put online, and diverse and rich contents will always be the core of StarTimes ON service.” Aldrine Nsubuga Snr Vice President in charge of marketing said

Although Startimes already had an official app for smartphones, this new app seems to be targeting smartphone users who don’t have time to face a TV screen. Nonetheless, the new Startimes On app now joins the likes of Kwese iflix which previously launched as a partnership with MTN before opting for a 2nd hand from Airtel and the decoder based DSTV app as some of the digital Tv solutions utilizing a fast-paced smartphones generation.

MTN’s inked deal with pay TV giant StarTimes Uganda will see the telecommunications giant offer special promotional MTN TV bundles for viewers to watch the latest StarTimes entertainment, sports and news for as low as UGX 2,000 (for two hours) and UGX 4,000 (for four hours) per day using the StarTimes app.

Present at the event was the Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Uganda, Mr. Olivier Prentout, who gave key remarks about the partnership:

[bs-quote quote=”“We are happy to partner with StarTimes Uganda as we continue our vision of delivering a bold, new digital world to our customers. StarTimes, as the market leader in paid TV subscriptions, reaches out to the widest range of customers across Uganda. This is important in ensuring internet access – as well as TV content – is accessed by as many customers as possible”” style=”style-16″ align=”left” author_name=”Olivier Prentout” author_job=”MTN CMO”][/bs-quote]

He also highlighted the benefit of the affordable time based data bundles that will be used to access the StarTimes content using the StarTimes app:

“Video content uses a lot of data to stream/watch/download. Using our partnership, we shall offer time based bundles; so if you for example want to watch a football match, you can buy a two hour bundle and never worry about running out of data mid-way your viewing” said Mr. Olivier Prentout.

Speaking at the launch, which was held at the MTN Headquarters along Jinja Road, Mr. Aldrine Nsubuga, Vice President and Brand & Marketing Director of StarTimes Uganda, was thrilled at the partnership:

“As the leading pay TV in Uganda, we are delighted to be launching this partnership with the largest telecommunications company in Uganda. The FIFA World Cup is the largest single event in the world and everyone wants to be a part of it. As official broadcasters of Russia 2018, this innovation should enable every Ugandan with a phone to follow and enjoy the FIFA World Cup wherever they are at their convenience affordably” he said.

During the launch Aldrine Nsubuga also spoke about the future of television being streamed through the internet rather than through telecommunications, multichannel televisions and broadcast television, something that Olivier Prentout highlighted.

“With more and more people being connected to smart phones and steady internet, TV will become something that will be mandatory to access on the go. The only way to do this is through having unlimited access to all their TV entertainment. We believe that the MTN – StarTimes Uganda partnership can deliver this” said Olivier.

At the launch, members were explained to how the timing of the bundle only references the total time spent consuming content on the StarTimes app. If one buys a two hour bundle and watches it for 10 minutes then stops, the time counter also stops. When you resume and watch for another 20 minutes and then you stop, your total time used will be 30 minutes. This goes on until your total usage is equal to two hours, and then the bundle expires.

To load a bundle, MTN customers can dial *165*4*7# on their mobile phone and select StarTimes. Terms and Conditions will apply.

NB: This is a Press Release