MTN Launches One TV: A New Approach to African Streaming
Africa’s leading telecoms operator, MTN Group, is making another push into the video entertainment market with its new streaming platform, MTN One TV. This follows an earlier attempt with FrontRow that ultimately failed to gain traction nearly a decade ago.
Flexible Viewing Models for Diverse Markets
MTN One TV will offer a range of content access options tailored to different local conditions:
- Free-to-view programming
- Advertising-supported experiences
- Pay-per-view rentals
- Subscription packages
The platform aims to address affordability and payment barriers by accepting airtime, Mobile Money, and other locally preferred methods.
Leveraging MTN’s Existing Strengths
With 307.2 million subscribers across 16 African countries, One TV has immediate distribution scale that few regional rivals can match. The platform combines live television channels, local content, and international programming into a single ecosystem.
“Entertainment is increasingly becoming an important gateway to digital participation,” said Selorm Adadevoh, MTN’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Through One TV, we are leveraging our connectivity, fintech, and digital capabilities to make relevant content more accessible while creating new opportunities for Africa’s creative economies.”
Strategic Shift in African Telecom Landscape
The launch comes amid significant changes in the streaming market:
- Showmax recently shut down operations as MultiChoice focuses on DStv Stream
- Other telecom operators like Vodacom and Safaricom are expanding into digital services
MTN One TV aims to capitalize on this evolving landscape by offering a comprehensive entertainment solution that bundles content, connectivity, and payments—addressing key barriers to streaming adoption across Africa.