Telefónica embarks on pay-TV adventure in Central America
Details
Juan Fernandez Gonzalez
| 13 May 2017

Telefónica has launched a satellite pay-TV operation in Nicaragua, its first pay-TV operation in Central America.


With the launch of Movistar TV HD in Nicaragua, Telefónica has completed an unusual move, as it tried out first an over-the-top (OTT) video service*bundled with mobile packages across the region and now it's moving forward towards a more traditional pay-TV business.

This decision by Telefónica will help to overcome the industry’s piracy fears, as Nicaragua has the highest piracy*and under-reported subscribers rate in Central America (nearly 60% of pay-TV users).

According to the telco, the service is available throughout the country, offering two different packages: a basic one with 74 channels (15 HD signals) selected by Movistar and a premium one, which includes the HBO/MAX and FOX+ content blocks. The agreement reached with HBO also adds all the channels distributed by the group in Latin America, namely, A&E, AXN, Canal Sony, E!, H2, Lifetime, Studio Universal, Universal Channel, History Channel, Telemundo Internacional, Warner Channel and Cinemax.

Also, through the acquisition of a hybrid set-top box (STB), subscribers will have access to the OTT platform, Movistar Play.

“Movistar is one of the main video operators in Latin America, where it has 4.8 million pay-TV subscribers. We’re happy that Nicaragua has been chosen as the first country in Central America to launch the Movistar TV HD service,” said Sanjay Abbi, director, new business, Movistar Nicaragua.

“It’s a well-consolidated company in the mobile industry. Through them, we are sure that we will be able to bring HBO content to a greater number of Nicaraguans,” added Oscar Carrera, senior director, affiliates, Mexico and Central America, HBO.