J
Joshua Fagbemi
Guest
Bright Echefu, the name behind Telecom Satellites Limited (TSTV), has launched another Pay TV called LUFT TV. This development follows years after thousands of subscribers were abandoned on TSTV.
Speaking during the unveiling on Sunday in Abuja, Echefu promised that the initiative will provide the best entertainment services in Nigeria and across Africa. He highlighted that through its design, LUFT TV was built to guarantee subscribers’ comfort.
“LUFT TV is built on cutting-edge technology, delivering crystal-clear HD quality, flexibility to watch on multiple devices, and a subscription plan that is currently the most affordable compared to other existing pay TVs. Our entertainment on LUFT TV is on your own terms, anytime, anywhere,” he said.
He added that its satellites already have a footprint across West Africa, noting that all West Africans can connect to the service.
TSTV’s CEO Mr Bright Echehu
Also at the event, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule embraced Echefu for being a resilient individual with a focused mind. He likened Echefu’s knowledge of the telecoms industry to that of MTN and the Globacom establishments. The Governor advised the chairman to ensure that the content on Pay TV centres on news, youth, sports, commentary, history, and, most importantly, the culture of the Nigerian people.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State also declared his support for the initiative. According to him, all service provider platforms should have the focus of offering qualitative options with reasonable charges.
“We must be able to share profits with the people who make business profitable. I therefore salute this initiative, and I want to encourage Nigerians to patronize LUTF TV,” he said.
TSTV, a satellite TV company launched by Echefu which was forecasted to challenge the monopolistic tendencies of Multichoice in Nigeria has been out of air since 2020. The chairman has pointed out that “it is not dead.” He added the new Pay TV – LUFT TV – will accommodate subscribers of the TSTV
“Some time ago, we had TSTV. TSTV is going to come back. It’s not dead, no. I just want to announce that TSTV is not dead. And soon, very, very soon, subscribers of TSTV will be on LUFT TV. So, we haven’t lost anything,” he said.
Furthermore, he restated his pledge to support local content and values that showcase local stories and cultures such as dramas, music, and sports. According to him, LUTF TV is more than a service but a movement that brings people together. It will also educate, entertain, and deliver to customers’ tastes.
TSTV formally launched on Nigeria’s Independence Day, October 1, 2017. Barely four days later, the company was faced with allegations of intellectual property theft.
Turner Broadcasting System Europe Limited, a company which claimed it had the exclusive rights to broadcast Cable News Network (CNN) in Africa, and BeIN Sports both accused TStv of not seeking due permission before publicly offering to air their channels.
The early-stage trials cost the company financially and soiled its public image. Following the early challenges, TStv announced it was fully back to business on August 20, 2018. What followed instead was another underwhelming spell for the company.
With claims that it had overcome its teething challenges, the satellite television company announced plans to relaunch on Nigeria’s independence celebration on October 1, 2020, exactly three years from when it first launched. As part of its efforts to offer Nigerians premium entertainment, TStv claimed, at that time, that it had acquired the rights to broadcast the 2020/2021 English Football League season.
It aired for a short while and fizzled out again, a botched dream for many Nigerians who had invested hope and decoders.
TSTV’s eventual poor showing has darkened the image of Pay TV and the Chairman, Bright Echefu. Following the launch of LUFT TV, will subscribers put their trust in it after experiencing an unpleasant plight with TSTV?
After TSTV made plans to relaunch on October 1, 2020, exactly three years from when it was first launched, it was the final chance for TSTV to consistently offer affordable PayTV entertainment in Nigeria. Going by reactions to the announcement, many Nigerians anticipate the return.
For instance, a fan, Okonkwo Nneka said: “Please get your acts together this time, so you can become a competitor to DSTV who plans to RIP us apart”. Another user, Ayantade Azeez Olamide said: ” Let just pray you to end the era of Dstv and relief the poor Masses of Nigerians who can’t afford with peace of mind. We wait patiently for the good news. Nigerians are waiting for the good news soon”
It made a comeback on October 1, 2020, promising to offer Nigerians the best Pay-TV experience. Still, its service remained intermittent, leaving subscribers who had invested in the company’s decoders with constant complaints.
Also, Bright Echefu is embroiled in an N380 million fraud-related case filed against it by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In June, Bright was arraigned alongside Felix Igboanuga, an executive director at TStv, and his satellite television company, TStv and Briechberg Investment Limited. They were arraigned for allegedly defrauding Mr Tanimu, a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs and Managing Director of Kalsiyam Global of N380 million.
According to the charges, the defendants committed the money laundering offence, tax evasion, unremitted Value Added Tax (VAT), Company Income Tax, and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deduction from the salaries of 165 staff.
With the image and trust in Echefu questionable, fingers are crossed on the outcome of the LUFT TV initiative.
Also Read: EFCC arraigns TStv CEO, Bright Echefu, for alleged N380 million fraud.
The post After failing with TSTV, Bright Echefu unveils new pay tv, LUFT TV first appeared on Technext.
Speaking during the unveiling on Sunday in Abuja, Echefu promised that the initiative will provide the best entertainment services in Nigeria and across Africa. He highlighted that through its design, LUFT TV was built to guarantee subscribers’ comfort.
“LUFT TV is built on cutting-edge technology, delivering crystal-clear HD quality, flexibility to watch on multiple devices, and a subscription plan that is currently the most affordable compared to other existing pay TVs. Our entertainment on LUFT TV is on your own terms, anytime, anywhere,” he said.
He added that its satellites already have a footprint across West Africa, noting that all West Africans can connect to the service.
TSTV’s CEO Mr Bright Echehu
Also at the event, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule embraced Echefu for being a resilient individual with a focused mind. He likened Echefu’s knowledge of the telecoms industry to that of MTN and the Globacom establishments. The Governor advised the chairman to ensure that the content on Pay TV centres on news, youth, sports, commentary, history, and, most importantly, the culture of the Nigerian people.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State also declared his support for the initiative. According to him, all service provider platforms should have the focus of offering qualitative options with reasonable charges.
“We must be able to share profits with the people who make business profitable. I therefore salute this initiative, and I want to encourage Nigerians to patronize LUTF TV,” he said.
LUFT TV to accommodate TSTV subscribers
TSTV, a satellite TV company launched by Echefu which was forecasted to challenge the monopolistic tendencies of Multichoice in Nigeria has been out of air since 2020. The chairman has pointed out that “it is not dead.” He added the new Pay TV – LUFT TV – will accommodate subscribers of the TSTV
“Some time ago, we had TSTV. TSTV is going to come back. It’s not dead, no. I just want to announce that TSTV is not dead. And soon, very, very soon, subscribers of TSTV will be on LUFT TV. So, we haven’t lost anything,” he said.
Furthermore, he restated his pledge to support local content and values that showcase local stories and cultures such as dramas, music, and sports. According to him, LUTF TV is more than a service but a movement that brings people together. It will also educate, entertain, and deliver to customers’ tastes.
The Stunts of TSTV
TSTV formally launched on Nigeria’s Independence Day, October 1, 2017. Barely four days later, the company was faced with allegations of intellectual property theft.
Turner Broadcasting System Europe Limited, a company which claimed it had the exclusive rights to broadcast Cable News Network (CNN) in Africa, and BeIN Sports both accused TStv of not seeking due permission before publicly offering to air their channels.
The early-stage trials cost the company financially and soiled its public image. Following the early challenges, TStv announced it was fully back to business on August 20, 2018. What followed instead was another underwhelming spell for the company.
With claims that it had overcome its teething challenges, the satellite television company announced plans to relaunch on Nigeria’s independence celebration on October 1, 2020, exactly three years from when it first launched. As part of its efforts to offer Nigerians premium entertainment, TStv claimed, at that time, that it had acquired the rights to broadcast the 2020/2021 English Football League season.
It aired for a short while and fizzled out again, a botched dream for many Nigerians who had invested hope and decoders.
Will TSTV’s sins cost LUFT Tv?
TSTV’s eventual poor showing has darkened the image of Pay TV and the Chairman, Bright Echefu. Following the launch of LUFT TV, will subscribers put their trust in it after experiencing an unpleasant plight with TSTV?
After TSTV made plans to relaunch on October 1, 2020, exactly three years from when it was first launched, it was the final chance for TSTV to consistently offer affordable PayTV entertainment in Nigeria. Going by reactions to the announcement, many Nigerians anticipate the return.
For instance, a fan, Okonkwo Nneka said: “Please get your acts together this time, so you can become a competitor to DSTV who plans to RIP us apart”. Another user, Ayantade Azeez Olamide said: ” Let just pray you to end the era of Dstv and relief the poor Masses of Nigerians who can’t afford with peace of mind. We wait patiently for the good news. Nigerians are waiting for the good news soon”
It made a comeback on October 1, 2020, promising to offer Nigerians the best Pay-TV experience. Still, its service remained intermittent, leaving subscribers who had invested in the company’s decoders with constant complaints.
Also, Bright Echefu is embroiled in an N380 million fraud-related case filed against it by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In June, Bright was arraigned alongside Felix Igboanuga, an executive director at TStv, and his satellite television company, TStv and Briechberg Investment Limited. They were arraigned for allegedly defrauding Mr Tanimu, a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs and Managing Director of Kalsiyam Global of N380 million.
According to the charges, the defendants committed the money laundering offence, tax evasion, unremitted Value Added Tax (VAT), Company Income Tax, and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deduction from the salaries of 165 staff.
With the image and trust in Echefu questionable, fingers are crossed on the outcome of the LUFT TV initiative.
Also Read: EFCC arraigns TStv CEO, Bright Echefu, for alleged N380 million fraud.
The post After failing with TSTV, Bright Echefu unveils new pay tv, LUFT TV first appeared on Technext.