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The Launch of Real Time on StarTimes Marks a Pivotal Moment in the Evolution of Discovery’s African Ad Sales Strategy, as it Appoints Apricot Africa Consulting as One of its Newest Ad Sales Partners in Africa
The announcement follows Discovery’s recent renewal with StarTimes earlier this year, which included the launch of ST Real Time and Discovery Family as brand-new channels for StarTimes customers, to sit alongside Discovery’s popular true-crime network, Investigation Discovery (ID). ST Real Time will be available to customers of StarTimes’, alongside Discovery Family and Investigation Discovery (ID).
“At Discovery we are always looking for ways to bring our globally-loved content and brands to new audiences,” said Amanda Turnbull, Vice President & General Manager for Discovery in Africa and the Middle East. “Expanding our portfolio with StarTimes to include the launch of Real Time and Discovery Family means we now offer their customers an enhanced mix of entertaining content for the whole family – from popular lifestyle programming on Real Time, fun edutainment on Discovery Family, to engaging real-life storytelling on ID”
“At StarTimes we are excited to include more channels on our network from a global brand. We believe these new options will provide our customers with an exciting new mix of content which will allow customers more choice and value, ” says Lily Meng, StarTimes’ Deputy GM of Media Division.
In line with Real Time’s launch on StarTimes, Discovery has appointed Apricot Africa Consulting to represent the channel in key territories across East, Central and West Africa*, a move which marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of Discovery’s African ad sales strategy, following the formation of its partnership with Viacom International Media Networks Africa last year. Under the appointment, Apricot will expand upon the commercial opportunities offered by Real Time in these key markets, such as spot sale advertising, sponsorships and brand partnerships. VIMN Africa will continue to represent Real Time in South Africa, as well as Discovery’s wider commercial channel portfolio, across the continent.
Real Time is Africa’s newest channel for female audiences, showcasing the best of Discovery’s female-targeted lifestyle, factual and wildlife content. Since launching in South Africa on DStv in September 2018, Real Time has already proven a hit, attracting an average audience of 10,317 and rating as Discovery’s 3rd rated channel overall in terms of share, with a healthy co-viewing appeal (47%:53% male to female). This April highlights on Real Time include Married By Mum and Dad, which looks at voluntary arranged marriages; Our Little Family which follows the little Hamill family and the extraordinary life; Reasonable Doubt re-enacts the true crime series, where retired homicide detective, Chris Anderson, and criminal defence attorney, Melissa Lewkowicz open controversial murder cases and re-examine the evidence.
Discovery Family combines fun entertainment shows with accessible documentary and pop-science series in a way that encourages viewers to be curious about the world around them. Premiering on Discovery Family in April will be: Tricks on the Street, street magician, illusionist and mentalist Ryan Tricks uses his mind-blowing abilities to brighten up people’s lives, and Chopped Junior as junior chefs show off their incredible culinary skills as they transform ingredients into masterpiece dishes.
Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of Discovery.
*Note to the editor:
Apricot Africa territory includes Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, Reunion, Rwanda, St Helena, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda.
About Discovery
Discovery, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is a global leader in real life entertainment, serving a passionate audience of superfans around the world with content that inspires, informs and entertains. Discovery delivers over 8,000 hours of original programming each year and has category leadership across deeply loved content genres around the world. Available in 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Discovery is a platform innovator, reaching viewers on all screens, including TV Everywhere products such as the GO portfolio of apps and Discovery Kids Play; direct-to-consumer streaming services such as Eurosport Player and Motor Trend OnDemand; digital-first and social content from Group Nine Media and a strategic alliance with the PGA Tour to create the Global Home of Golf. Discovery’s portfolio of premium brands includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, Turbo/Velocity, Animal Planet, and Science Channel, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in the U.S., Discovery Kids in Latin America, and Eurosport, the leading provider of locally relevant, premium sports and Home of the Olympic Games across Europe. For more information, please visit www.corporate.discovery.com and follow @DiscoveryIncTV across social platforms.
About StarTimes
StarTimes is the leading digital TV operator in Africa, serving over 22 million users with a signal covering the whole continent and a massive distribution network of 200 brand halls, 10,000 convenience stores and 15,000 distributors in 30 countries. StarTimes owns a featured content platform, with 480 authorized channels consisting of news, movies, series, sports, entertainment, children’s programs, etc. The company’s vision is “To ensure that every African family can access, afford, watch and share the beauty of digital TV”. StarTimes achieves this by combining satellite and terrestrial DTV systems as well as OTT services to provide an open and secure digital wireless platform. The company provides a robust signal transmission service for public and private broadcasters, offers consumers outstanding Pay-TV programs, online video service, terminals, door-to-door service and flexible payment. In particular, The “StarTimes ON” provides data-saving live TV and VOD service in high definition. Find out more about StarTimes ON at startimestv.com.
