Strive Masiyiwa, the founder and chairman of Econet Wireless has announced a new pay TV service called Kwesé TV. Through a post on his Facebook page, Mr Masiyiwa highlighted how Econet had been working on the service for three years.
This is an almost direct reference to ipidi, the VOD service that the Econet Global group has been working on through its fibre services company Liquid Telecom. There has been mention of plans to white-label the ipidi service in different sub-markets across Africa. Kwesé (whose name means “everywhere” in Shona) would fit into the mould.
Though the official launch of ipidi is yet to be announced, a lot of work has been carried out to get it to launch, especially over the past year, including the securing of content from various studios and preparing a mobile app that will complement the service.
The announcement has also directed people to the Kwesé Sports website which is already active and is showing sports news and soccer matches that include European soccer which has been a huge favourite of pay TV subscribers.
The market leader in pay TV is DStv which has an extensive focus on local, regional and international sports. From these early shots from Kwesé, that show a keen interest in sports, Econet is out to enter the MultiChoice/DStv space.
You can read the full statement from Strive Masiyiwa below.
Upcoming launch of Kwesé TV
I’m excited to share some information with you about our newest business, one that’s been in the making for three years now. This is the first time I’ve publicly introduced any new venture on Facebook!
As Econet Global, we’re about to roll out a unique Pay TV service known as Kwesé TV which will offer exclusive sports and entertainment programming to African markets.
“Kwesé” means “everywhere” and “anywhere”!
Our new business will be built around Econet’s core capabilities of satellite communications, fibre optic networks, and mobile services.
What does this mean for Africa? I will tell you! We believe African consumers must have access to premium and exclusive TV programming at a price that is value for money.
Our satellite communications business, Liquid Sat, has already built a platform which allows us to deliver what is known as Direct TV to the home (DTH), in all the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Our fibre optic company, Liquid Fibre, is the largest builder of terrestrial fibre in Africa. And, of course, Econet is one of the most experienced mobile network operators on the continent. These are just a few of the assets we’ll deploy in a unique way, never done before in Africa.
__Having infrastructure is one thing, but Kwesé TV’s success will depend on our ability both to acquire and also to develop new, high-quality and unique programming at an affordable price.
You may know of other companies in this market, most which either provide content that’s far too expensive, or… content that’s just so bad it’s not worth paying to see it, even if it’s cheaper.
We know you understand what the problem is… And I believe my team has developed an exciting product which will change that dynamic!
I’ve taught you on this platform before that as entrepreneurs, you mustn’t discuss your whole strategy in public. We’ve also discussed that if you see a problem or an unmet need: don’t complain, develop a solution! That’s what we are working to do at Kwesé TV!
As the “mobile generation,” we know you’re highly discerning about what you are willing to pay for. What I can share with you right now is that our new business called Kwesé TV will be what we call “multi-screen.” This means you can watch TV with a traditional TV, a smartphone, a tablet, and/or a computer.
__I can also share that our programming philosophy is: “Value for money, premium and exclusive content.”
As we move closer to our final launch, I’ll update you from time to time. In the meantime, please check out our sports website http://bit.ly/kwesesports which offers free access to some of our content, including the Copa Del Rey Spanish Cup that I told you about recently.
Stay tuned!
image credit – Kwese Sports
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32 comments
ko ka accent ndekeyi ako? love the idea!
The accent is exactly that “an accent” so that people pronounce it properly. Kwes-er instead of Kwes-ee
Kwese great, the name gives it originality just like Huawei.Being a serial entrepreneur that you are,Strive,a great fast follower,top notch innovator,it was only a matter of time.Multichoice,here comes Kwese.Being Zimbo,am proud Strive,munotipasa manyemwe mukoma and your Econet family.
0717123880
I am more than ready Strive for the new product. To DStv i say, you refused to listen to your customers on your unfair pricing regime. Now, here comes our own son of the soil. I pray that you lose business to KweseTV until you go back to the boardroom and restrategize.
I’m proud of Strive guys….#teamBuddie
This is great news.i wellcome it with both hands. Welldone Masiiwa.
Strive Masiyiwa..a man full of vision to save and provide e best for the continent (Africa)…we are proud of u..may god bless u…tatenda,twalumba,siyabonga,zikomo kwambili
This will tail very well with the $500 million investment money Econet got. I bet 90% of that load money will be used for its real purpose.
Compare that to 218 million netone got, 80 of that money will be used for none core requirements of the loan like new cars, desks, office equipment, travel expenses, salaries, donating to the party etc.
I believe this is awesome. Hope this turns to be decent competition for DSTV, they need it to wake up.
Loving the idea that I can watch it from anywhere I got internet. Hope they zero rate it as well.
We’re behind this great initiative. Hoping it will not ignore and discard ‘US” it’s customers and our concerns as it’s predecessor and strong rival seems to have successfully done
Thats very good news, we are sick and tired off repeat programs on DSTV for our hard earned Obama $
Tinozvigamuchira nemufaro mukuru Kwese muno muZimbabwe & Africa as a whole .
Splendid.
Dstv are Masters… Hats off to Strive… But u need to sort out your Zim network 1st. The quality of calls is sub standard compared to SA networks as with your data speed. Your coverage in some areas is zero… West Nich to Beit Bridge. Remember people dont just want to sit and watch poor quality tv shows.. Have u started a local drama soap setup in Zimbabwe yet with actors. and will the channel be in HD? We dont want another sub zero standard channel like ZTV. Are you going to beam off the same Sat as DSTv so no one has to buy another dish? Why should we pay ex amount of Usd when we can hve over 100 channels on Dstv or poach free tv like sabc on an openview hd decoder? You have a lot to do Strive… And are you gonna cut you data charges which are the most expensive and out of the reach for most unless you want 10 megs?
kwese TV tapinda tapinda,DSTV favours S Africans not us.
strive u a great thinker.we need people like u
I hope you can add one gospel to this station since dstv have successfully robbed us off gospel music in Nigeria. Please add one gospel.
This is fantastic,we need positive thinkers like u guys
beautiful idea dstv is yooo expensive For Zimbos
kwese tv yes dstv overpriced thank you great son of African great project may God in his infinity love and mercy continue to bless you strive masiwa
This is going to be a real game changer!!!! Looking at the website the sport coverage is going to take my money. Tora mari yangu Kwese, bye DSTV.
Great mind. l love the idea. multichoice yatikuvadza
well done mdhara strive, God ‘s using you! They. can’t compete with you, we told them a million times.
Good day
I’m really interested to be part of production team if I am given a chance , how can I go about it?
Well done Strive. May God continue to bless you.
Chakanaka chakanak mukaka haurungwi munyu,tinotenda mukoma Masiwa munotipasa manyemwe,Mwari varambe vachikuwedzerai njere dzavo.From Taka
I’m proud of that.kwese tv for zimba and Africa forget about dstv
mwana wevhu. you put us on the world map with your innovations. Great……
I wil beleiv when it hapens.mr masiiwa at 1time promised great things in the
Banking sectr when he introduced his steward bank.he made big talk like this about
Small to medium businesses wuld see great things,neva seen bfo,bt to this day steward bank is used to just mop up cash on zim market.and perhaps to lend money to econet companies only.A good business man bt I lost sme respect since then.
Good to go
That’s so great. Dstv is now too expensive and repeating same staff we are sick n tired .can’t wait Africa Hoyeeeeeeeeee