eMedia Launches Openview Stream as Africa’s First Independent FAST Streaming Platform

eMedia Launches Openview Stream as Africa’s First Independent FAST Streaming Platform. eMedia has launched Openview Stream, describing it as Africa’s first independent free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) platform, as the media company expands its digital entertainment offering beyond traditional broadcasting.

The new streaming service will initially be available in Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Mauritius, with plans to expand into additional African markets as part of a phased rollout.

Building on the Openview brand, the platform is designed to provide audiences with free access to live television and streaming content through an advertising-supported model. The launch marks the latest development in eMedia’s strategy to broaden its media portfolio and extend its entertainment services across the continent.

eMedia Chief Executive Officer Khalik Sherrif said Openview Stream represents an important milestone in the company’s growth as an entertainment business. He said the platform builds on the success of Openview by bringing its free viewing experience into the streaming market while making premium entertainment more accessible to African audiences.

The platform has been developed in partnership with RunnTV, eMedia’s technology partner for over-the-top (OTT) and FAST services. The collaboration combines eMedia’s content and entertainment brands with RunnTV’s streaming technology to deliver a digital viewing experience tailored to African audiences.

RunnTV founder and Chief Executive Officer Manish Sinha said the partnership is intended to support the development of a scalable streaming service designed specifically for the continent’s growing digital entertainment market.

According to eMedia, Openview Stream will continue expanding its content library, channel selection and geographic reach over the coming months.

The company said the platform is also expected to create new opportunities for broadcasters, advertisers and content creators by providing an advertising-supported digital distribution service. Through RunnTV’s FAST technology, broadcasters and content owners will be able to extend their reach across connected televisions and mobile devices while creating additional opportunities for audience growth and advertising revenue.

eMedia said the platform has been developed to respond to increasing demand for free streaming services as smart television adoption, broadband connectivity and digital content consumption continue to grow across Africa.