Nairobi, 6^th August 2020. Pay Television operator StarTimes and NBCUniversal International Networks (NBCUIN) have announced the introduction of DreamWorks – a 24-hour channel dedicated to kids and family entertainment – on StarTimes platform in Kenya.

StarTimes subscribers will access the best in animated television series on both terrestrial and satellite platforms channel 354 and 301 respectively.

Speaking on the launch, Lee Raftery, Managing Director, NBCUniversal International Networks, EMEA commented: “Collaborating with StarTimes on bringing DreamWorks channel’s award-winning shows and beloved characters is a key milestone for our business. We look forward to bringing young viewers the DreamWorks experience, with its compelling slate of adventurous and imaginative animated series, all in one family destination.”

Lily Meng, head of StarTimes Media Division, said, “We are excited to bring DreamWorks on our platform as a strategic exclusive channel. This launch demonstrates our continuous commitment to providing premium content to our subscribers and is timely given that currently, the kids and parents tend to spend more time at home.”

DreamWorks is a family entertainment channel offering quality animation and storytelling content, taking viewers on fantastical adventures as they come face to face with more dragons in Dragons: Race to the Edge; whilst the party continues with the world famous dancing lemur, in All Hail King Julien.

Viewers can join adrenaline-fueled snail, Turbo, and his snail crew in Turbo FAST; and follow the world’s favorite feline hero, Puss, as he protects the hidden city of San Lorenzo in The Adventures of Puss in Boots.

Meanwhile in Dawn of the Croods, the world’s first family navigates their way through modern-day life. And entertaining families across the country, The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show will see the world’s smartest dog and his boy, Sherman; host their zany late-night comedy program, jam-packed with great musical acts and very special historical guests.

Younger viewers can look forward to a world of giant creatures that are ‘half dinosaur, half construction vehicle in Dinotrux and follow Noddy and his friends as they solve cases in Toy Land, in Noddy Toyland Detective! Meanwhile, young viewers can get ready to roar with Raa Raa The Noisy Lion, cub, and his friends in the Jingly Jangly Jungle.

Airtel Kenya and Telkom Kenya have announced that they have dropped the much-publicized merger talks, which have been taking place for some. This may come as a relief to the industry leader Safaricom that opposed it and saw it as a threat to its dominance in the Kenyan Market.

While releasing the joint statement, the Telcos said, “After carefully reviewing the available options, Telkom has opted to adopt an alternative strategic direction and will no longer be pursuing the proposed joint venture transaction. This decision has been mutually agreed with Airtel Networks Kenya Limited.”

“Our confidence in Telkom’s new direction is further bolstered by the accelerated digital transformation brought about by the recent dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has made both businesses as well individuals, acutely aware of the need to review direction, with respect to how we do things, and the need to step-up. This accelerated digital transformation is particularly important within the telecommunications sector, owing to an increased demand for data and broadband,” said Telkom Kenya in a statement.

Telkom said that they have seen new opportunities brought in by the Covid-19 pandemic and as such, they are looking at these opportunities to expand their operations.

Telkom Kenya says that the merger plans were made difficult by the fact that documentation needed for approvals was not forthcoming.

Following this development, the redundancy notice issued by issued by the company on 31st July 2019 has been withdrawn with immediate effect and the earlier envisaged redundancies no longer apply. At least 220 employees who were staring at job losses have been given a lifeline.

The competition Authority of Kenya had approved the merger in December 2019 after some initial challenges to the merger. Among the initial hiccups was investigation by the EACC.

Telkom Kenya now says that it is focusing on strengthening its infrastructure asset base and services as it seeks to cement its position in the digital space.

Should the merger have succeed, it would have left hundreds with job loses even as the COVID-19 continues to ravage the country. The merger would also have brought up a Telco that would take on Safaricom’s dominance of the Kenya market.