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Do not fill this in! {{short description|Chinese electronics and media company operating in Africa}} {{For|the newspaper in New Zealand|Sunday Star-Times}} {{Multiple issues|{{Advert|date=November 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}} {{Cleanup rewrite|date=November 2018}}}} {{Infobox company | name = StarTimes | logo = StarTimes B2C-02 (2).png | native_name = 四达时代 | native_name_lang = zh-CN | type = [[Privately held company|Private]] | industry = {{Unbulleted list|[[Pay TV]]|[[Information and communications technology]]}} | founded = 1988 | founder = Pang Xinxing | hq_location_city = [[Beijing]] | hq_location_country = China | area_served = [[Africa]] | products = {{Unbulleted list|[[StarSat]]|TopStar|StarTimes DTT|StarTimes ON|[[StarTimes GO]]}} | num_employees = 5,000 | website = {{Official URL}} }} '''StarTimes''' is a Chinese electronics and media company in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]]. StarTimes offers [[digital terrestrial television]] and [[satellite television]] services to consumers, and provides technologies to countries and broadcasters that are switching from [[Analog television|analog]] to digital television. {{As of|July 2020}}, StarTimes operates in 30 countries, serving 13 million [[Digital Video Broadcasting|DVB]] subscribers and 20 million [[Over-the-top media service|OTT]] users.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Appiah|first=Samuel Ekow Amoasi|date=10 July 2020|title=StarTimes Ghana Donates 10,000 PPE's To Ghana Police Service|url=https://www.modernghana.com/sports/1015411/startimes-ghana-donates-10000-ppes-to-ghana-poli.html|access-date=14 July 2020|website=Modern Ghana}}</ref> == 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> == Products == === Solar Home System === StarTimes Solar Home System includes a suit of solar panel and battery, 4 LED lights, a digital TV set, a suit of satellite TV access equipment, and two years of pay-TV subscription.<ref>{{Cite web|title=StarTimes is a Chinese electronics and media company with strong presence in Africa. StarTimes offers digital terrestrial television and satellite television se|url=https://amp.ww.en.freejournal.org/54520400/1/startimes.html|access-date=2021-05-26|website=ww.en.freejournal.org|language=en}}</ref> === Digital televisions === In 2016, StarTimes launched a digital television that supports signal inputs of both terrestrial digital television (DTT) and satellite television (DTH) without a decoder.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dignited.com/21550/startimes-hd-tvs-built-in-decoders/|title=What we know about Startimes HD TVs with in-built decoders|last=Mugerwa|first=Sydney|date=19 January 2017|work=dignited|access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> Africa is going through [[Digital television transition|digital television migration]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Harverson|first=M.|title=International Broadcasting Conference IBC '95 |chapter=Simulcast: The EUTELSAT proposal for a smooth transition from analogue to digital TV |date=1995 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1049/cp:19951011 |volume=1995|pages=564–569|publisher=IEE|doi=10.1049/cp:19951011|isbn=0-85296-644-X}}</ref> === Decoders === StarTimes developed 2-in-1 combo decoders or Dual Mode Decoders that can support both DTT and DTH services which were not common in some decoders.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/08/11/startimes-redefines-pay-tv-with-2-in-1-combo-decoder/|title=StarTimes Redefines Pay TV with 2-in-1 Combo Decoder|last=Okonji|first=Emma|date=11 August 2016|work=This Day|access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> === Projector TV=== StarTimes Projector TV can project a greater-than-{{Convert|120|inch|cm|adj=on|abbr=on}} picture onto a wall using [[Digital Light Processing|DLP technology]] and [[Light emitting diode|LED]] light source. External devices like DVD players, decoders, and computers can be connected.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.techsawa.com/tv/startimes-projector-tv/|title=Startimes Projector TV, what you need to know|date=17 January 2016|work=Techsawa|access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> == Philanthropy == === Ebola epidemic === During the [[West African Ebola virus epidemic|Ebola epidemic]] in 2014, StarTimes launched several operations in Guinea and Nigeria to raise awareness among local population. In Guinea, StarTimes made a video about [[Ebola virus]] and precautionary measures, and distributed sanitation materials to the local communities.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 September 2014 |title=Lutte contre l'épidémie Ebola : La société Star times offre des désinfectants à deux mosquées de Conakry |work=Guinée Matin |url=http://guineematin.com/publireportage/lutte-contre-lepidemie-ebola-la-societe-star-times-offre-des-desinfectants-a-deux-mosquees-de-conakry/ |access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Xinhua |date=26 November 2014 |title=Guinée : une société chinoise de distribution d'images sensibilise contre Ebola |work=FOCAC |url=http://www.focac.org/fra/zt/t1214675.htm |access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> In Nigeria, StarTimes produced educational materials, distributed gloves and masks, and put Ebola prevention info on its website and Facebook account.<ref>{{Cite news |last=The Guardian Nigeria |date=25 August 2014 |title=Nigeria: Ebola... It's CSR Time for Startimes |work=All Africa |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201408252726.html |access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> === StarTimes-UNAIDS cooperation === On 12 May 2017, the [[Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS]] (UNAIDS) and StarTimes signed a memorandum of cooperation that made official a cooperation that started a year before "to reduce the impact of HIV across Africa by disseminating messages to the general public to increase awareness of HIV and UNAIDS’ work and reduce stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV and populations affected by HIV".<ref>{{Cite web |title=StarTimes |url=https://www.startimestv.com/newsdetail.html?newsid=1536114307237&code=6 |access-date=2021-05-26 |website=startimestv.com}}</ref> The first act of this cooperation was on [[World AIDS Day]], 1 December 2016, when StarTimes broadcast UNAIDS' HIV prevention videos on its African networks in English and French until the end of the month.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Akpunonu |first=Stanley |date=1 June 2017 |title=StarTimes, UNAIDS partner to help Africa end AIDS epidemic by 2030 |work=The Guardian Nigeria |url=https://guardian.ng/features/startimes-unaids-partner-to-help-africa-end-aids-epidemic-by-2030/ |access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=14 December 2016 |title=UNAIDS, StarTimes Partner to Promote HIV/AIDS Prevention |work=This Day |url=https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2016/12/14/unaids-startimes-partner-to-promote-hivaids-prevention-2/ |access-date=17 July 2017}}</ref> === SOS Children's Villages International === On 14 May 2018 in [[Nairobi]], Kenya, StarTimes and [[SOS Children's Villages|SOS Children's Villages International]] signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will see the organizations partner towards supporting vulnerable families and children, with an emphasis on empowering youth in light of the [[Sustainable Development Goals|United Nations Sustainable Development Goals]] (SDGs).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Naatogmah |first=Abdul Karim |date=16 May 2018 |title=StarTimes signs MOU with SOS Children's Villages to empower African youth |url=https://citinewsroom.com/2018/05/16/startimes-signs-mou-with-sos-childrens-villages-to-empower-african-youth/ |access-date=25 June 2018 |website=Citinewsroom}}</ref> ==Criticism and controversy== {{See also|Debt-trap diplomacy}} On 8 October 2018, British newspaper ''[[Financial Times]]'' reported increase in Zambia's monthly [[Television licence|television levy]] that funds the country's state broadcaster [[Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation]] (ZNBC), allegedly a result of a joint venture between StarTimes and ZNBC, which established a joint venture named TopStar, of which StarTimes owns 60%, to operate multi-channel television services in the country, and was backed by the [[Export–Import Bank of China]]. ZNBC borrowed {{USD|273 million}} from this bank, but it is rumored it could not repay the debt and it was alleged that the broadcaster increased the monthly levy to clear its debt.<ref name="FT-Zambia-181008">{{cite news |last1=Cotterill |first1=Joseph |last2=Pilling |first2=David |last3=Zhang |first3=Archie |title=TV tax stirs Zambian fears over Chinese 'debt-trap' diplomacy |url=https://www.ft.com/content/fa54acda-c7ef-11e8-ba8f-ee390057b8c9 |access-date=21 November 2018 |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=8 October 2018}}</ref> The ''Financial Times'' has also reported about other practices related to China's [[debt-trap diplomacy]] and the [[Embassy of China, London|Chinese Embassy in the UK]] have since issued counterclaims.<ref name="ChineseEmbassyUK-response-181018">{{cite press release|title=Embassy Spokesperson's letter to Financial Times on its unjustified comments of "debt-trap" diplomacy |url=https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/ce/ceuk/eng/PressandMedia/t1605128.htm |access-date=21 November 2018 |publisher=[[Embassy of China, London|Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland]] |date=18 October 2018 |location=London}}</ref> Multiple outlets have also claimed that StarTimes is [[Propaganda in China#External propaganda|promoting news content that favours the Chinese government]] by placing [[China Global Television Network]] channels on the platform's most cheapest package, while other international news channels, such as [[BBC News (international TV channel)|BBC World News]], cost even more.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jenni |last=Marsh |title=How China is slowly expanding its power in Africa, one TV set at a time |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/23/business/startimes-china-africa-kenya-intl/index.html |access-date=2 November 2020 |work=CNN Business |date=2019-07-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Louisa |last1=Lim |first2=Julia |last2=Bergin|title=Inside China's audacious global propaganda campaign |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/dec/07/china-plan-for-global-media-dominance-propaganda-xi-jinping |access-date=2 November 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=7 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan |last=Kaiman |title='China has conquered Kenya': Inside Beijing's new strategy to win African hearts and minds |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-china-africa-kenya-20170807-htmlstory.html |access-date=2 November 2020 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=7 August 2017}}</ref> On many of its in-house channels, regardless of genre, the platform airs programming about the [[Chinese Communist Party]] and its activities in China, offering prizes to entrants who answer questions about China and its history.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Olander|first=Eric|date=13 October 2021|title=Chinese-Owned African Pay-TV Giant StarTimes Launches New Propaganda Show|url=https://chinaafricaproject.com/2021/10/13/chinese-owned-african-pay-tv-giant-startimes-launches-new-propaganda-show/|access-date=2021-11-16|website=The China Africa Project|language=en-US}}</ref> Nigerian research published in 2024 shows the "Access to satellite TV for 10,000 African villages" project that StarTimes initiated does not have the impact it promotes, while most of the equipments in Nigeria went idled due to unable to pay subscription fees after the one-year trial and lack of electricity.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Emeka |last1=Umejei |title=Chinese Digital Satellite TV: Exporting Propaganda to Rural Nigeria |url=https://www.cddwestafrica.org/reports/chinese-digital-satellite-tv-exporting-propaganda-to-rural-nigeria/ |accessdate=25 February 2024 |work=Centre for Democracy and Development |date=31 January 2024}}</ref> == See also == * [[StarSat]]: StarTimes owns 20% of stakes of the South African satellite television provider. == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == * {{Official website}} {{CATV Africa, Asia, Middle East and Oceania|state=collapsed}} {{DEFAULTSORT:StarTimes}} [[Category:Mass media companies established in 1988]] [[Category:Entertainment companies established in 1988]] [[Category:Electronics companies established in 1988]] [[Category:Chinese companies established in 1988]] [[Category:Television in Africa]] [[Category:Direct broadcast satellite services]] [[Category:Pay television]] [[Category:High-definition television]] Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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