WatchAfrica, net-m Offer Mobile TV in Africa

DUSSELDORF, Germany -- net-m, a global leader in payment solutions and mobile entertainment services, has partnered with African media and content provider WatchAfrica Ltd. to launch the WatchAfrica app, the world’s first African mobile IPTV & VOD service.

WatchAfrica, the first mobile IPTV & VOD service of African content that is exclusively available for viewers in Africa, as well as African ex-pats, will be showcased for the first time at this year’s AfricaCom. The service will be made possible by net-m’s Anyscreen service, which supports the streaming of multiple channels onto smartphones, tablets and set-top boxes using current state-of-the-art technologies. The integrated 24/7 scheduling solution enabled Tele 10, the entertainment provider behind WatchAfrica, with an intuitive system to build a series channels from live, pre-recorded or mixed content.

As net-m’s Anyscreen is also compatible with its mobile payment technology, it means that anybody with a smartphone in Africa will be able to pay for content.

Much of the launch content will be delivered by AfricaXP, the leading independent creator and distributor of custom designed channels and themed VOD content offering for African audiences. It offers over 20 themed linear and VOD channels, and has full capacity to customise channel content mix and branding. WatchAfrica will also launch with Aflix, an African content service, which is similar to Netflix, and a range of news services including K24, the leading Kenyan news broadcaster and TV10, the first private TV channel from Rwanda with a direct access to social networks.

NTT DoCoMo Inc. (NYSE: DCM)