The service was officially shut down on the 1st of November, 2018, barely 2 years after its initial launch. Parent company, Econet Media, is shifting its focus to the latest digital and satellite broadcasting trends. Kwese, which has been available in several African countries will now focus on three other brands; Kwese Free Sports, video-on-demand business Kwese Iflix and streaming service Kwese Play businesses. Group President and Chief Executive of Econet Media, Joe Hundah, says the business’ is repositioning in response to market trends. “We believe these changes will safeguard the future success of our business as we continue to make an indelible impact on Africa’s media industry. The revised business strategy will also ensure that Kwesé TV continues to remain competitive within the industry,” said Mr Hundah. In a statement, the firm said it will be reviewing its operational structures across all markets where Kwesé TV has a presence and the move may lead to changes on the firm’s various departments. “Refocusing our business offering across markets, is a strategic move which aligns our business to Over The Top (OTT-streaming services) and video-on-demand trends which present significant growth opportunities for Kwesé. This renewed focus on digital services will see us provide new compelling offers for our customer’s enjoyment,” added Mr Hundah. Subscribers of Kwese satellite TV will access free-to-air (FTA) stations only after the firm did away with third-party channels.
