NigComSat (Nigerian Communications Satellite) in an apparent attempt to wither down the monopoly of DStv, has launched a Direct-To-Home (DTH) platform called NextTV.
NextTV is a joint venture operation led by NigComSat alongside two other media companies. These companies are Nigus International and China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC). They are expected to provide solutions for Telecommunication companies, OTT providers and PayTV operators and Mobile carriers. and will have 140 channels.
Under the partnership, Nigus will be the lead partner in the joint venture company and brings the total investments capital needed for this venture as well as management, administration, license, marketing and content.
NigComSat on its part provides the transponders for the use of NextTV with a minimum of 4 transponders available to the JV.
NigComSat will hold a 15% equity stake in NextTV. On the other side, GWIC provides the uplink equipment as well as access to back-up satellites to provide redundancies to NextTv and will hold a 10% equity stake in NextTv Minimal cost for premium quality DTH services to serve the continent of Africa.
Presently, there is no information on when NextTV dishes and decoders will be available. However, we can bet that if NextTV can offer better value for money, it will get the attention of Nigerians who are desperately looking for a good alternative to DStv.
