Entertainment
Here are top 10 keywords of StarTimes in 2018
2018 is special for StarTimes as it marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of the company and it is also the 10th year since StarTimes has entered African market in 2008. Now, with nearly 20 million users all across the continent through terrestrial and satellite television as well as its new online video streaming service, StarTimes is the leading digital TV operator in Africa.
The followings are Top 10 keywords of StarTimes in the past year:
As the official broadcaster of 2018 Russia World Cup, StarTimes broadcasted all 64 matches in full HD on both DTT and DTH platforms, enabling African football fans to enjoy a clearest World Cup ever.
StarTimes in Russia
During World Cup, all of live games, full highlights, build-ups, interviews, analysis and magazine shows on StarTimes sports channels will be offered in full HD.
To get people into World Cup atmosphere, StarTimes forged a series of World Cup special programs, such as World Cup Trekker, World Cup Fiesta and Road to Russia.
For the commentaries, StarTimes tried to satisfy diverse demands of audiences. StarTimes offered English, French, Swahili and Pidgin commentaries to diverse audience groups.
Startimes ON
In November 2018, StarTimes launched a new brand, StarTimes ON, for its online video streaming service, dedicated to providing ultimate entertainment and enriched experience.
With the launch of StarTimes ON, the original StarTimes App has been upgraded to StarTimes ON. StarTimes ON provides Live TV, VOD and short videos with covering news, sports, movies, series, music, entertainment, documentary, kids and religion.
Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages
Currently, there are total 150+ channels in over 10 languages available on StarTimes ON online platform with now over 140 channels being limited free.
Under the guide of Chinese and African governments, StarTimes rolled out the project of “Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages” in 2018, which enabled thousands of African rural villagers to watch satellite TV.
The project was first announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping on December 4th, 2015, when he was delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.
FOCAC Beijing Summit
There are over 10,000 villages in 23 African countries benefiting from the project of “Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages”. Under the project, each village is aided with two StarTimes Projector TVs, one 32 inch Digital TV set and 20 DTH decoders and satellite dishes. Projector TVs and Digital TV set will be equipped with solar power systems and DTH access units.
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit was successfully held in Beijing in September with over 3,200 participants from China, Africa and international organizations having attended the summit, making it the largest and most high-profile diplomatic event ever hosted by China.
StarTimes, Africa’s leading digital TV operator as well as a Chinese influential media group, has been a star of China-Africa Cooperation with playing active roles in African digital migration progress, the project of Access to Satellite TV for 10,000 African Villages and African HIV/AIDS Prevent Campaign.
During the summit, StarTimes attracted 18 African presidents and distinguished guests to visit its Beijing headquarters and all of them expressed their admiration and support to StarTimes career in Africa.
HIV/AIDS Prevention
In September, First Lady of the Republic of Malawi Gertrude Mutharika, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and StarTimes Group Vice President Guo Ziqi held a meeting in Beijing with the theme of “Value of new media in African HIV/AIDS Prevention Campaign”.
UNAIDS and StarTimes agreed to explore collaboration on increasing HIV/AIDS awareness among African young people with mobile online video application as Now new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths are more likely to occur among young people in Africa because HIV/AIDS prevention information and knowledge don’t reach out to young people efficiently.
After the meeting, StarTimes promoted 4 UNAIDS PSAs on the front page of its online video streaming platform, StarTimes ON in September and December, which helped deliver the HIV/AIDS Prevention messages to African young people.
SOS Children’s Villages
On May 14th, 2018, StarTimes and SOS Children’s Villages International signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Nairobi that the two organizations partner towards supporting vulnerable families and children, with an emphasis on empowering youth in light of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The MOU sees StarTimes support SOS Children’s Villages programs in over ten African countries specifically in broadening local learning opportunities and extending diverse experiences to young people from SOS Children’s Villages programmes.
It includes technical and vocational skills training and mentorship, alongside driving access to digital television in SOS Children’s Villages programs and benefitting from media exposure on the StarTimes platform.
SOS Children’s Villages would share resources, skills and knowledge as far as youth employability and capacity building is concerned towards the implementation of the MOU.
African Digital TV Development Seminar
On June 28th, 2018, the 8th edition of African Digital TV Development Seminar, organized by StarTimes, was held in Beijing with a focus on reviewing trends, developments and cooperation towards digitalizing broadcasting in Africa, as well as OTT industry which is upgrading African television landscape.
This year’s seminar recorded a landmark with over 400 delegates, dignitaries, heads of broadcasting corporations and guests from 48 African and Asian countries attended the event.
Alagbara
In Nigeria, StarTimes in collaboration with veteran Nollywood actor, Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello, completed the production of an exclusive TV series titled Alagbara.
The production of was commissioned by StarTimes early 2018, making it the first fully commissioned series by StarTimes and one of the best production ever done in the Yoruba movie industry.
According to Oga Bello: “Producing this series for StarTimes was a deliberate decision because of the positive impact that StarTimes has had on the African continent especially with its contribution to local content across Africa.”
UPL
In 2018, StarTimes unveiled the biggest ever single sponsorship in the history of Ugandan sport after remarkably securing the Uganda Premier League and FUFA Big League “Title and Broadcasting Rights” from FUFA for a staggering US$ 7,240,000 for 10 years starting with the 2018/2019 season.
The FUFA President Moses Magogo was full of praise for StarTimes and thanked them for the endorsement this gesture has given to FUFA’s leadership: “The enabling environment that FUFA has created by improving the image of local football and setting in place visible systems and structures to improve the game is now paying off. Sponsors are strategic stakeholders in football and it’s incumbent upon the football fraternity, leaders, players and everyone to support StarTimes who have selflessly demonstrated their goodwill to see Ugandan football progress with this historic sponsorship.”
The Vice President of StarTimes Uganda company, Aldrine Nsubuga said: “The legacy we want to leave behind in the Ugandan local communities is the support towards the development of football -the game that unites the whole country without bias. A strong top division league reflects on the strength of our national team the Cranes.”
30th Anniversary
18th October, 2018 marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of StarTimes. President of StarTimes Group, Pang Xinxing led a running for the 30th anniversary and gave a stirring speech for the celebration at StarTimes Beijing Headquarters on the day, stressing the “We never give up” spirit of the company.
The StarTimes President said in his speech: “In the past 30 years, the setbacks that we have had experienced, the difficulties we have had overcome, and the crises that had been resolved cannot be expressed by numbers. But no matter what, we always stay true to our mission and never give up. In the spirit of persistence, we are unswervingly moving toward our established goals.”
He stressed that no matter how the market changes, no matter how perilous the situation is, our vision of “enabling every African family to afford digital TV, watch digital and enjoy digital TV” remains unchanged.
Spotify today announced the launch of its ‘Detty December’ hub with playlists for December, a celebration of the vibrant festive season in West Africa and South Africa. The hub is a one-stop shop for all things Detty December, with curated playlists featuring the biggest hits and emerging sounds of the season. Users can find everything from Afrobeats and Amapiano anthems to chilled-out vibes for those much-needed recovery days.
“Detty December is a special time for our users in West Africa and ke Dezemba symbolises South Africa’s spirit of celebration,” said Phiona Okumu, Head of Music at Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa. “We’re excited to be part of their celebrations with this dedicated hub and playlists, bringing them the best music to soundtrack their festive moments.”
This unapologetic season of street jams, back-to-back concerts, and endless summer fun has developed its own culture that draws diaspora and local fans alike. The curated sounds of Spotify’s Detty December hub will pay homage to the Lagos rooftop lounges, Accra’s beachside festivals, and South Africa’s township tunes that keep people grooving.
In addition to the hub, Spotify has also launched a new playlist called ‘Songs of Detty December’. This playlist is a curated list from Spotify Africa’s editors on the songs predicted to dominate this year’s Detty December. From DJ Skelm’s Afro Tech sounds to Flytime Fest’s tour of songs that tell Africa’s aspirational stories, the hub will be the home of takeover playlists that display Africa’s diverse talent. Barrier-breaking Amapiano talent Kamo_ww has taken over a South African Summer playlist too.
Spotify is also supporting Jerk x Jollof, a popular event making its way to Africa for the first time, through its Frequency program. Held at The Ostrich event space, the Jerk x Jollof Cape Town takeover will feature DJs and artists such as TxC, DBN Gogo, Spinall, Sarz and Odeal, merging the spirit of Detty December and ke Dezemba experiences and bringing South and West African cultures and artists together.
“We’re committed to supporting African music and culture,” said Okumu. “We believe that music is a powerful way to bring people together, and we’re excited to be part of the Detty December celebrations.”
You can keep the good vibes going as you make your way to the hotel, beach or next Detty December party with Spotify’s curated and immersive sound selection. Discover something new or run the year’s best party anthems back on your app today.
The ‘Detty December’ hub is available now on Spotify.
Forty years after the release of the original JESUS film, Jesus Film Project is releasing an updated edition of founder Paul Eshleman’s book, I Just Saw Jesus.
The new edition features a heartfelt foreword written by Eshleman’s daughter, Jenn Huff, as well as refreshed cover art. The book was officially released in October 2024.
Originally published in 1985, I Just Saw Jesus chronicles Eshleman’s journey to create the JESUS film, the most translated and viewed film in history. Translated into more than 2,100 languages and counting, the film has been a significant resource in spreading the gospel to millions across the globe.
The release of this updated edition comes at a critical juncture as Jesus Film Project reimagines the 1979 film for today’s generation.
In her foreword to the new edition of I Just Saw Jesus, Huff reflects on her father’s vision and passion for the project. She writes, ”The JESUS film, meticulously crafted to depict the life of Jesus with unprecedented accuracy, stood as a beacon of attention to detail. Behind the scenes, my father’s equally meticulous storytelling mirrored the attention that was paid to every aspect of the film’s creation.” She added, “I Just Saw Jesus is not just a book; it is a testament to the miraculous change Jesus makes in people’s lives.”
Paul Eshleman’s work on the JESUS film was inspired by the mission to share the gospel message in every corner of the world.I Just Saw Jesus tells the stories of the faithful volunteer film teams, missionaries and pastors who ventured into remote tribes to show the JESUS film. They carried generators and projectors across jungles, stood before influential leaders, and overcame threats, curses and deadly diseases – all to share the story of Jesus in the heart language of those who might not otherwise hear the gospel.
This new edition of I Just Saw Jesus is a tribute to Paul Eshleman’s legacy. It marks a new chapter in the ongoing mission to innovate and reach people with today’s tools, ensuring that the gospel remains accessible to new generations.
Purchase I Just Saw Jesus on Amazon or the Cru store, and join the ongoing conversation about how media can inspire the next generation.
Gather25, a trailblazing global gathering of Christians founded by Jennie Allen, has unveiled the first of its contributors for the upcoming event in 2025.
Featuring a multi-denominational, international line up of Christian teachers, storytellers and prayer guides from six continents, Gather25 aims to showcase powerful stories of how God is transforming communities and hearts around the world.
The event, with a schedule that will circumnavigate the globe over 25 hours, celebrates a line-up of individuals who bring a unique perspective of how God is moving in their context.
Together, they are partnering with Gather25’s mission to mobilize Christians everywhere to reach the 5.5 billion people on earth who have yet to encounter Jesus.
Through live-streaming technology and AI, Gather25 will connect with Christians in homes, in churches, in stadiums, or on their phones, across six continents, with each continent hosting a portion of the 25 hours.
The teachers, storytellers, and prayer guides include:
● Jennie Allen – Founder & Visionary of Gather25, Bible teacher, author, the visionary behind IF:Gathering.
● Pastor Charles Mugisha – Founder and President of Africa New Life Ministries.
● Matt Maher – Gospel artist and songwriter, known for favorites like “Lord, I Need You.”
● Mark Varughese – Founder and Senior Leader of Kingdomcity.
● Matt Redman – Double GRAMMY®-Award winning worship leader and songwriter.
● Priscilla Shirer – A New York Times Best-Selling author and actress featuring in movies like War Room.
● Sinach – Gospel artist and songwriter, known for favorites like “Way Maker.”
● Tasha Cobbs Leonard – GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter.
● Rorisang Thandekiso – A multi-talented media personality and musician, and the founder of “Jesus This Jesus That.”
● Rick Warren – Author of The Purpose Driven Life, his books have been translated into 200 languages.
Gather25 is a global collaboration of Christians who are instrumental in connecting the global church from the ground up. Pastor Charles Mugisha said, “Gather25 gives, for the first time in history, Africa a voice to share the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ more than ever before.”
“I have a feeling in my heart that (Gather25) is a God thing. The Bible commissions us to go and take the Gospel to all nations and for the first time, I see that we can actually take the Gospel to all the nations in 25 hours. That’s exciting for me!”
The event will kick off in the United States at 01:00 UTC on Saturday, 1st March 2025, and will journey around the globe, concluding in Peru at 02:00 UTC on Sunday, 2nd March 2025. This continuous broadcast is designed to empower Christians worldwide through inspiring stories and testimonies of God’s work across nations. Each session will be hosted from a different country, featuring teaching, worship, stories and prayers from various locations within each session. The event will also unveil never-before-heard accounts from the underground church.
Join us for this global event to connect with believers from every corner of the world. Find out about Gather25, and sign up for more resources at: gather25.com
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