Kwesé taps Alpha Networks for OTT TV launches

Econet Media-owned African free and pay TV provider Kwesé has tapped Alpha Networks for the delivery of its new OTT TV services, Kwesé Play and Kwesé TV.

According to Alpha Networks, which is supplying its Tucano back-end platform for the new services, Kwesé Play is the first Roku video service launched by any operator in Africa. Kwesé TV is an OTT complement to the service provided to Kwesé’s existing DTH satellite subscribers.

Alpha Networks said that its Tucano back-end multi-tenant functionality enabled both products to be distributed across several African countries on a single software platform. Tucano CMS supports live, EPG and video-on-demand content along with enhanced editorial and promotional features.

“We are excited to have partnered with Alpha Networks in the creation of a seamless end-user experience for our Kwesé Play and Kwesé TV offerings using the Tucano back-end software platform. As we continue to penetrate markets in the rest of the continent, we look forward to an enhanced customer engagement through this partnership,” said Joseph Hundah, President and CEO, Econet Media.

“The pay TV environment is more complex and users are more demanding than before. Operators want to deliver a mix of live and VOD content, either paid or Freemium, coming from different content sources, across different networks, targeting multiple screens including smartphones, tablets, STB’s, smart TVs.” said Kris Warreyn, CEO of Alpha Networks.

“Our open and modular back-end provides a faster time-to-market for delivering new services so that network operators and media companies can maintain their competitive edge in the marketplace.”