StarTimes Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! == History == [[File:StarTimes Tanzania.jpg|thumb|StarTimes Office in [[Dar es Salaam]], Tanzania]] StarTimes Group was founded in 1988 by Chinese engineer Pang Xinxing,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.rnanews.com/national/9620-rwandas-ict-highlights-in-2014|title=Rwanda's ICT Highlights in 2014|date=3 January 2015|work=Rwanda News Agency|access-date=17 July 2017|archive-date=5 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805140352/http://www.rnanews.com/national/9620-rwandas-ict-highlights-in-2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> who is also the company's current chairman. In 2002, StarTimes began to expand its business to Africa. In 2007, it became the first digital television operator licensed by [[Rwanda]].<ref name=":0" /> Since then, StarTimes has established subsidiaries in 30 African countries. In 2009, StarTimes and the [[Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation]] formed a joint venture to roll out digital migration.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.corporate-digest.com/index.php/startimes-maps-africa-into-the-digitalized-world|title=STARTIMES MAPS AFRICA INTO THE DIGITALIZED WORLD|work=Corporate Digest|access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> In February 2016, StarTimes was awarded a [[Direct to home|DTH]] license in Ivory Coast.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://aip.ci/lidentite-des-trois-nouveaux-operateurs-de-reseau-de-distribution-de-bouquet-devoilee/|title=L'identité des trois nouveaux opérateurs de réseau de distribution de bouquet télé dévoilée|date=29 February 2016|work=Agence ivoirienne de presse|access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> Operations began in October 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.abidjan.net/h/604901.html|title=Lancement des activités d'un nouvel opérateur de télédistribution en Côte d'Ivoire|date=26 November 2016|work=Abidjan.net|access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> On 23 November 2016, StarTimes was one of the three companies selected by the [[Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority]] (PEMRA) to establish and operate DTH distribution services in Pakistan for 15 years.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.technologyreview.pk/three-direct-home-satellite-transmission-licenses-auctioned-rs-4-9bn/|title=Three Direct-to-Home Satellite Transmission Licenses Auctioned for Rs 4.9bn Each|last=Umair|first=Rasheed|date=24 November 2016|work=MIT Technology Review Pakistan|access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> On 2 September 2017, the [[Government of Chad]] and StarTimes signed an agreement on digital migration. After a lengthy process, StarTimes was chosen to build a Digital Terrestrial Television network that will include digitization of national infrastructures, television broadcast and reception.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://tchadinfos.com/tchad/tchad-le-gouvernement-accelere-le-passage-de-laudiovisuel-analogique-vers-le-numerique/|title=Tchad : Le Gouvernement accélère le passage de l'audiovisuel analogique vers le numérique|date=4 September 2017|work=Tchadinfos.com|access-date=5 September 2017}}</ref> In 2018, StarTimes began to implement "[[Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages|Access to satellite TV for 10,000 African villages]]", a China-Africa cooperation project aimed at giving rural areas of Africa access to digital media.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Li|first=Zhihui|date=7 September 2018|title=New Chinese TV 'star' rises across Africa|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201809/07/WS5b91d13ba31033b4f4654b8d.html|access-date=20 September 2018|website=China Daily}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mo |first=Yelin |date=24 January 2018 |title=China Woos Guinea with Satellite-TV Deal |work=Caixin |url=https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-01-24/china-woos-guinea-with-satellite-tv-deal-101202396.html |access-date=2 February 2018}}</ref> In 2017, the [[Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation]] (ZNBC) and StarTimes launched TopStar Communication Company Limited, a public signal distributor and Zambia's official digital migration agent, as a joint-venture.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nkole|first=Nkole|date=4 October 2017|title=What digital television switch-over entails|url=http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/what-digital-television-switch-over-entails/|access-date=22 January 2021|website=Zambia Daily Mail}}</ref> In June 2018, StarTimes launched ON, a video streaming service (OTT) giving access to dozens of channels in Africa.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://contentnigeria.net/startimes-unveils-vod-service-app/|title=StarTimes unveils VoD service app|date=12 June 2018|website=Content Nigeria|access-date=20 September 2018}}</ref> In 2020, StarTimes e-shopping platform, [[StarTimes GO]] was launched. This interactive online shopping platform is supported by TV, Online and Phone call services and available across Africa.<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 May 2020|title=Sponsored: 'StarTimes GO', An E-Shopping Platform Launched In Rwanda|url=https://www.ktpress.rw/2020/05/sponsored-startimes-go-an-e-shopping-platform-launched-in-rwanda/|access-date=14 July 2020|website=KT Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Ssebwani|first=Javira|date=31 May 2020|title=StarTimes e-shopping platform 'StarTimes Go' is now able to serve entire Africa|url=https://www.pmldaily.com/business/2020/05/startimes-e-shopping-platform-startimes-go-is-now-able-to-serve-entire-africa.html|access-date=14 July 2020|website=PML Daily}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=15 June 2020|title=A Quick Guide To StarTimes' E-Shopping Platform|url=https://www.ghettoradio.co.ke/a-quick-guide-to-startimes-e-shopping-platform/|access-date=14 July 2020|website=Ghetto Radio}}</ref> === Seminar === In 2011, StarTimes hosted the first '''African Digital TV Development Seminar''', which has been held for seven consecutive years; it is a talking shop for African countries to discuss digital migration in Africa.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://thenationonlineng.net/african-digital-tv-devt-seminar-starts-beijing/|title=African digital TV devt seminar starts in Beijing|date=23 May 2017|work=The Nation|access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> The 8th edition of the Seminar held in Beijing in June 2018 had over 400 delegates, dignitaries, heads of broadcasting corporations and guests from 48 African and Asian countries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nigeriacommunicationsweek.com.ng/startimes-holds-8th-african-digital-tv-development-seminar-in-beijing/|title=StarTimes Holds 8th African digital TV Development Seminar in Beijing|last=Onwuaso|first=Ugo|date=30 June 2018|website=Nigeria Communications Week|access-date=20 September 2018}}</ref> === Sports broadcasting === In 2015, StarTimes signed an exclusive broadcasting contract with the [[Bundesliga]] for five years in all sub-Saharan countries, on its [[StarTimes Sports]] channels, becoming Bundesliga's partner in Africa.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sportindustry.co.za/news/startimes-confirms-bundesliga-deal|title=STARTIMES CONFIRMS BUNDESLIGA DEAL|date=10 June 2015|work=Sport Industry Group|access-date=17 July 2017|archive-date=14 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414111714/http://www.sportindustry.co.za/news/startimes-confirms-bundesliga-deal|url-status=dead}}</ref> This resulted in StarTimes and [[Deutsche Fußball Liga|DFL Deutsche Fussball Liga]] organizing the ''StarTimes-Bundesliga Legends Tour'' where Bundesliga players like [[Lothar Matthäus]], [[Jay-Jay Okocha]] and [[Sunday Oliseh]] visit African countries every year. In December 2015, Jay-Jay Okocha and Sunday Oliseh visited Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/4065/africa/2016/12/05/30195142/okocha-and-oliseh-to-join-startimes-bundesliga-legends-tour?noBetaRedirect=1|title=Okocha and Oliseh to join StarTimes & Bundesliga Legends|date=5 December 2016|work=Goal|access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> In 2015, StarTimes obtained the rights to televise French [[Ligue 1]] and Italian [[Serie A]] in [[Sub-Saharan Africa|Sub-Saharan]] countries.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.agenceecofin.com/audiovisuel/1208-31329-startimes-proposera-les-championnats-allemand-et-italien-de-football-en-exclusivite-africaine|title=StarTimes proposera les championnats allemand et italien de football en exclusivité africaine|date=12 August 2015|work=Agence Ecofin|access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> In July 2015, it signed a five-year broadcasting contract for the [[International Champions Cup]] (ICC).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-ng/news/24862/business-of-sport/2016/07/22/25852622/startimes-to-broadcast-international-champions-cup-live-and?noBetaRedirect=1|title=StarTimes to broadcast International Champions Cup LIVE and Exclusively|date=22 July 2016|work=Goal|access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> In June 2016, StarTimes also signed a three-year exclusive broadcasting contract with the [[Chinese Super League]] for Sub-Saharan Africa.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.telcotvnews.com/startimes-acquires-chinese-super-league-exclusive-rights/|title=StarTimes acquires Chinese Super League exclusive rights|date=6 July 2016|work=Telco TV News|access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> In November 2016, StarTimes Group signed a media agreement with [[Ghana Football Association]] to promote the [[Ghana Premier League]] in Sub-Saharan Africa and the infrastructural development of the game in the West African country during the coming decade.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ghanafa.org/news/full_news/6/11851|title=StarTimes acquire Ghana Premier League Media Rights|date=23 November 2016|work=Ghana Football Association|access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> In January 2020, one month after losing the franchise, StarTimes won the bid and was named as Television Rights Holder of the Ghana Premier League and the FA Cup.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Teye|first=Prince Narkortu|date=9 January 2020|title=StarTimes gets Ghana Premier League TV rights again|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/startimes-gets-ghana-premier-league-tv-rights-again/kj6p24wmewr51dzy151vhsgnk|website=Goal.com}}</ref> In April 2017, StarTimes secured media rights for [[2018 FIFA World Cup]] in Russia and the other 2017-2018 FIFA events in all 42 territories of Sub-Saharan Africa (except for the World Cup 2018 and the [[2017 FIFA Confederations Cup|FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017]] in South Africa).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://beta.goal.com/en-ke/news/startimes-acquires-broadcast-rights-for-2018-fifa-world-cup/yltsmsdrjuxm1uv020i8icd7d|title=STARTIMES ACQUIRES BROADCAST RIGHTS FOR 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP|last=Mabuka|first=Dennis|work=Goal|access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> StarTimes also signed a partnership with Ivoirian football club [[ASEC Mimosas]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mondialsport.net/startimes-cote-d-ivoire-et-l-asec-mimosas-se-disent-oui-1852.sport|title=StarTimes Côte d'Ivoire et l'ASEC Mimosas se sont dit OUI|date=21 April 2017|work=Abidjan.net|access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> On 19 July 2017, StarTimes acquired exclusive media rights in Sub-Saharan Africa for [[FIBA]]'s national team competitions from 2017 to 2021, including the [[2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup]] in China.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fiba.basketball/news/africas-leading-digital-tv-operator-startimes-acquires-exclusive-media-rights-for-fibas-2017-2021-national-team-competitions|title=Africa's leading digital TV operator StarTimes acquires exclusive media rights for FIBA's 2017-2021 national team competitions|date=19 July 2017|website=FIBA|access-date=3 August 2017}}</ref> On 9 August 2018, StarTimes and [[Federation of Uganda Football Associations]] (FUFA) announced that StarTimes acquired both the naming and broadcast rights of the [[Uganda Premier League]] and [[FUFA Big League]] for a 10 years period.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fufa.co.ug/startimes-take-naming-broadcasting-rights-uganda-premier-league/|title=StarTimes Take Over Naming And Broadcasting Rights Of The Uganda Premier League|date=9 August 2018|website=FUFA|access-date=20 September 2018}}</ref> In September 2018, StarTimes launched a live telecast of [[UEFA Europa League]]. StarTimes will broadcast UEFA Europa League in all Sub-Saharan Africa except South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. It has been awarded exclusive rights for English, Portuguese and local languages in English-speaking and Portuguese-speaking areas until 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/soccer/StarTimes-launches-live-broadcast-of-UEFA-Europa-League-686258|title=StarTimes launches live broadcast of UEFA Europa League|date=19 September 2018|website=GhanaWeb|access-date=20 September 2018}}</ref> In November 2018, StarTimes acquired exclusive media rights to [[Coppa Italia]] and [[Supercoppa Italiana]] in Sub-Saharan Africa, ending in the 2020/2021 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/startimes-secures-exclusive-rights-for-coppa-italia|title=StarTimes secures exclusive rights for Coppa Italia|date=17 November 2018|website=Ghana Soccernet|access-date=4 January 2019}}</ref> In August 2019, StarTimes announces it acquired [[UEFA national team coefficient|UEFA National Team]] Football broadcasting rights between 2019 and 2022, including [[UEFA Euro 2020]] as well as [[UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying|Qualifiers to Euro 2020]], [[2020–21 UEFA Nations League|UEFA Nations League 2020/21]] and European Qualifiers to [[2022 FIFA World Cup]]. All national friendlies are also part of the contract.<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 August 2019|title=StarTimes to broadcast UEFA Euro 2020 and European Qualifiers|url=https://ghanasoccernet.com/startimes-to-broadcast-uefa-euro-2020-and-european-qualifiers|access-date=14 July 2020|website=Ghana Soccer}}</ref> Early August 2020, StarTimes acquired Spanish top league [[La Liga|LaLiga Santander]] broadcasting rights until 2024 across sub-Saharan Africa.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Easton|first=Jonathan|date=7 August 2020|title=StarTimes picks up French La Liga rights in sub-Saharan Africa|url=https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2020/08/07/startimes-picks-up-french-la-liga-rights-in-sub-saharan-africa/|access-date=22 January 2021|website=Digital TV Europe}}</ref> Later the same year, [[Football Kenya Federation]] (FKF) unveiled StarTimes as their official broadcasting partners for the [[Kenyan Premier League|FKF Premier League]], while the [[Football Association of Zambia]] (FAZ) signed a tripartite broadcast sponsorship deal with ZNBC and TopStar (StarTimes) resulting in [[Zambia National Division One|National Division One]] matches being shown live on TV.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Eshitemi|first=Rodgers|date=26 November 2020|title=FKF unveils StarTimes as official Premier League broadcast partners, KTN acquires free to air rights|url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/football/2001395313/fkf-unveils-startimes-as-official-broadcast-partners-ktn-gets-free-to-air-rights|access-date=22 January 2021|website=Standard Media}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=24 November 2020|title=FAZ SEALS BROADCAST DEAL WITH TOP STAR, ZNBC FOR NATIONAL DIVISION ONE GAMES|url=https://zambianfootball.co.zm/faz-seals-broadcast-deal-with-top-star-znbc-for-national-division-one-games/zfadmin/|access-date=22 January 2021|website=Zambian Football}}</ref> In January 2021, The [[Confederation of African Football|Confederation Africaine de Football]] (CAF) officialized the signing of an agreement by which StarTimes obtains the broadcasting rights for the [[African Nations Championship|Total African Nations Championship]], Cameroon 2020 (Total CHAN Cameroon 2020).<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=16 January 2016|title=CAF and StarTimes announce an agreement to broadcast Total CHAN, Cameroon 2020 in Sub-Saharan Africa|url=https://www.cafonline.com/total-african-nations-championship/news/caf-and-startimes-announce-an-agreement-to-broadcast-total-chan-cameroon-2020-in|access-date=22 January 2021|website=CAF}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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