The Standard Group has bought a 50% stake in Radio Africa Group owned Bamba TV for Ksh. 300 million. The deal is both in equipment and cash. The deal will also see the KTN Home Channel and KTN News being available on the Bamba TV bouquet. Some of Bamba’s programming will also screened on the two KTN channels.
Bamba TV was launched on 22nd December 2014 and is managed by Lancia Digital Broadcast, a Radio Africa Group subsidiary. Bamba TV is accessible via digital set top box that is available for a one off cost of Ksh. 3,299. Bamba TV has 7 movie channels, 3 of which are African channels and other international ones, there are three cartoon channels, 4 lifestyle channels including fashion TV and cars TV. There is also a 24 hour Telenovela Channel bringing total to 28 channels.
This deal effectively kills the Standard Group’s participation in the ADN (Africa Digital Network) consortium which includes the Nation Media Group and Royal Media Services. The consortium had intended to launch its own set top box to compete with DSTv owned GOtv.