MTN's One TV Launch Adds Streaming to Its Growing Digital Ambitions

MTN Group has started introducing a new entertainment platform across its African markets as the telecom operator deepens its push into consumer digital services beyond connectivity.

The company announced the rollout of MTN One TV on 8 June, positioning the service as a single destination for television channels, locally produced programming and international entertainment. The launch places MTN among a growing number of African telecom operators seeking a larger role in content distribution and digital media.

The initiative arrives as operators across the continent search for new revenue streams beyond traditional voice and data services. Streaming video, digital advertising and financial technology have become increasingly important areas of expansion as competition intensifies in core telecommunications markets.

MTN said One TV will support several viewing models depending on the country. These include free-access content, advertising-supported offerings, subscription packages and usage-based viewing options. The company plans a phased introduction across its footprint rather than a simultaneous launch in all markets.

Payments sit at the centre of the strategy. Customers will be able to access content using airtime, mobile money services and other locally available payment methods. Telecom operators have increasingly used their billing systems and financial platforms to address payment barriers that have slowed adoption of some digital services in African markets.

The move also extends MTN’s effort to connect multiple parts of its business ecosystem. By combining network access, financial services and media distribution, the group is seeking to keep more digital activity within its own platforms while creating additional opportunities for content providers and advertisers.

According to MTN Group Chief Commercial, Strategy and Transformation Officer Selorm Adadevoh, the platform is intended to broaden access to relevant entertainment while helping African creative industries reach larger audiences. The company says broadcasters, creators and commercial partners will be able to use MTN’s distribution and payments infrastructure to engage viewers across multiple countries.

The launch follows a partnership announced in 2025 between MTN and UK-based video technology company Synamedia. The two companies said at the time they would work on a streaming platform designed for mobile and fixed broadband subscribers across Africa.

Competition in the sector is already established. Airtel Africa has operated Airtel TV since 2020, while global streaming providers continue to compete for audience attention in major African markets. Telecom operators increasingly view entertainment services as a way to strengthen customer loyalty and increase engagement across broader digital ecosystems.

Industry forecasts suggest the opportunity remains significant. Research firm Statista projects continued expansion in Africa’s streaming sector through the end of the decade, creating incentives for operators, broadcasters and technology providers to compete for a larger share of the market.

MTN has not yet disclosed a full country-by-country rollout schedule, but the phased deployment indicates the company intends to build a common entertainment offering that can scale across multiple territories while adapting to local content and payment preferences.

Go to TECHTRENDSKE.co.ke for more tech and business news from the African continent and across the world.

Follow us on WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter, and Facebook, or subscribe to our weekly newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out on any future updates. Send tips to editorial@techtrendsmedia.co.ke