IROKOtv to launch two linear channels on StarTimes

Africa-based video-on-demand service iROKOtv has signed an exclusive deal with pay TV platform StarTimes to launch two new linear TV channels in Africa.

IROKO Play and IROKO Plus will be available across 14 countries and their launch marks what the firms described as a “considerable investment in Nollywood entertainment” by StarTimes.

IROKO Play will be available in the StarTimes ‘basic bouquet’ and showcase Nollywood movies from 2007 onwards, with a new exclusive movie added to the schedule each month.

IROKO Plus, will be placed in StarTimes’ ‘unique bouquet’ and will show premium Nollywood movies from 2011 onwards, and will also feature an exclusive new movie each week.

Both channels will also air behind the scenes interviews and magazine shows alongside the movie content.

“Launching IROKO Play and IROKO Plus on Startimes is an exciting milestone for IROKO. We’re known primarily for leading OTT content delivery across Africa through IROKOtv.com, but with digital migration spreading rapidly throughout the continent, now is the right time for us to diversify our distribution model and expand into the linear TV market,” said IROKO CEO Jason Njoku.

Michael Dearham, vice-president of StarTimes said: “The deal with IROKO is a significant advance in our quest to become the home of premier African film and television content.”