New pay TV for Sierra

In a brief chat with HANA's correspondent in Freetown before the launch, Kargbo said the government and people of this country welcomed the newly established network citing the development it will bring to this nation which he said is another milestone in developing the private sector.

"Telecommunications as we all know is improving very rapidly in our country, Sierra Leone after a bloody civil war. The people of this country are very satisfied to have another player in the telecommunication industry," the information minister told HANA.

In his address to journalists, the minister expressed hopes that the same support enjoyed by other telecommunications companies will be given to GTV so that the firm can succeed.

"I hope and pray that every Sierra Leonean and other foreign nationals in the country will utilize this chance for their benefit," he said.

The vice chairperson of YES TV, the official agent for GTV in Sierra Leone, Dr. Kande-Bureh O'Bai Kamara said GTV is determined to make world class football, news and entertainment available and affordable to every home and business in Sierra Leone.

"Sierra Leoneans love good entertainment but they have been deprived of football over the past few months. We are going to ensure that they enjoy the English Premier League," he added.

Giving a brief breakdown of how GTV will operate, O'Bai Kamara said they have 15 channels of news and entertainment for everyone.

To drive his point home, GTV's Head of Development for Africa, Ronnie Andrews said entertainment is not just for the elite but for everyone.

"We are ready to bring the best international and African programmes to customers at a price they can afford. Sierra Leone is one of the most exciting markets as there is so much potential for growth and development," he said.

He said that their innovative model targets mainstream consumers rather than an elite few adding that, they have the exclusive right to show 80% of the English Premier League including eight live matches per week.

"We intend to cover the whole continent by the end of 2008. We are launching in nine African countries simultaneously," he concluded.

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