Subscribers of pay-TV StarTimes will have dig to deeper into their pockets to enjoy their favourite programmes as the firm plans to increase monthly subscription fees for most of its bouquets – basic, classic and unique – effective May 1, Hussein Kamanzi, the marketing director, has said. 

Kamanzi told The New Times in an interview on Friday that subscribers will now pay a monthly fee of Rwf4,500 for basic bouquet, up from Rwf4,000, subscribers of classic bouquet will part with Rwf9,000 compared to Rwf8,000 presently, while unique bouquet will be at Rwf14,500, up from Rwf13,000.

Nova bouquet will remain at Rwf2,000, and viewers will continue to access up to 17 local and international channels, Kamanzi added.

He said the additional fees will enable the firm to provide better content and programming.

There are two pay-TV providers in Rwanda, StarTimes and Tele10. DStv increased its monthly subscription fees effective April 1.

DStv Access bouquet subscribers now pay Rwf12,300, up from Rwf10,300, compact (English) is at Rwf31,700 while family bouquet costs Rwf23,500 from Rwf16,000 previously. Gotv has also revised its rates.

MultiChoice Africa, which owns DStv, said last month that it reviewed its subscription rates across the region to take into account various factors like inflation, satellite lease costs, programming costs and efficiencies within the company.

business@newtimes.co.rw