Telemedia gets into AI with 35% stake in ITV Africa
South Africa's largest privately owned satellite and broadcast services company has acquired 35% of Interactive Television Africa (ITV Africa) as part of its drive to diversify its business.
Company Background
Telemedia hosts one of the continent's largest teleports and provides broadcast facilities, satellite, and fibre connectivity to all of South Africa's major broadcasters.
Strategic Investment
Telemedia CEO Patrick Conroy says the R18 million acquisition forms part of the company's strategy to deliver end-to-end solutions for media, production, and telecommunications businesses on the Continent.
"We see the acquisition as a natural step towards delivering services to clients where artificial intelligence lowers the cost of production and unlocks value from sport and events that were previously not broadcast," he says.
About ITV Africa
ITV Africa is the leading AI automated sports coverage business across Africa, and the provider of AI cameras, software, and OTT services to the likes of SuperSport Schools.
Rob van Ginkel, ITV Africa CEO, explains: "Our technologies and ecosystem have made it possible to stream and broadcast localised sporting codes such as rugby, football, basketball, hockey and other sporting events that would never have been made available to larger audiences."
"Through the ecosystem we are also able to unlock value for sponsors, advertisers as well as the ability to offer subscription-based models," he adds.
Recent Developments
ITV Africa has achieved significant milestones:
- Launched broadcast of the Nigerian Premier Football League
- Partnered with leagues in Zimbabwe and Namibia
- Projects in development in Angola and Zambia
Future Outlook
Conroy says the impressive growth of ITV Africa in recent years and the synergies between the two companies bode well for future expansion into international markets.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact:
- Telemedia: rodene@telemedia.co.za
- ITV Africa: viv@itvafrica.net