TSTV Returns, to Broadcast Free-to-Air EFL Matches Ahead of Relaunch

After months of legal disputes and inactivity, Nigerian PayTV operator, TStv has announced that it will be fully relaunching its satellite broadcasting service in a few weeks’ time beginning with a free test broadcast beginning from yesterday.

The company announced this via its Facebook page:

TStv wishes to thank Nigerians for their patience and understanding over the past months. We apologise once again for all inconveniences and appreciate the steadfastness of all those who have stood by us. We are now pleased to announce that TStv is preparing for a relaunch nationwide and as part of activities leading to the relaunch, TStv will begin test broadcast services from the 10th of September, 2020.

Full TStv channels will be available in an encrypted format which viewers can only watch via the new TStv decoders to be put out for sale in a few weeks’ time across Nigeria.

According to the company, its test run broadcast will go on for the next three weeks. Pending the full launch of all its channels, viewers can watch its available free-to-air channels in the meantime using any decoder including TStv’s.

However, this is not the first time TStv is announcing a comeback. A similar announcement was made two years ago.

TSTv will broadcast all 2020/2021 EFL Matches

As part of its efforts to offer Nigerians premium entertainment, TStv has disclosed that it has acquired the rights to broadcast the 2020/2021 English Football League season.

The company has said it will air the following EFL matches this weekend as a test.

Viewers can set their decoders to the free-to-air frequencies to tune in and watch the live EFL matches.

Avoiding a repeat of earlier struggles

Recall that TStv formally launched on Nigeria’s independence day, October 1, 2017. Barely four days later, the company was faced with allegations of intellectual property theft.

Turner Broadcasting System Europe Limited, a company which claimed it had the exclusive rights to broadcast Cable News Network (CNN) in Africa and BeIN Sports both accused TStv of not seeking due permission before publicly offering to air their channels.

Suggested read: OurTV is Bringing Free-to-air TV Service to Nigerians, But Can it Succeed Where TStv Failed?

The early-stage trials cost the company financially and soiled its public image. Speaking on the company’s struggles, TStv CEO Bright Echefu said:

It has not been easy one bit. Our struggles drained us financially and pitched us against all good meaning Nigerians, subscribers and dealers that believed in us.

Following the early challenges, TStv announced that it was fully back to business on August 20, 2018. What followed instead was another underwhelming spell for the company.

Once touted as a potential competitor to DStv, TStv never even hit the ground running.

Seeing as the company plans to relaunch on October 1, 2020, exactly three years from when it first launched, this may be the final chance for TStv to consistently offer affordable PayTV entertainment in Nigeria. Going by reactions to the announcement, many Nigerians anticipate the return.

For instance, a fan, Okonkwo Nneka said: “Please get your acts together this time, so you can become a competitor to DSTV who plans to RIP us apart”. Another user, Ayantade Azeez Olamide said: ” Let just pray you end the era of Dstv and relief the poor Masses of Nigerian who can’t afford with peace of mind. We wait patiently for the good news. Nigerians are waiting for the good news soon”

Indeed, only time can tell.