Angola has granted StarTimes Angola, Limitada a concession to operate a subscription television distribution service, formally opening the way for the Chinese-backed media company to enter the country’s pay-TV market.
The authorisation is contained in Presidential Decree 408/26, dated 6 November 2026 and published in Series I, No. 211 of Angola’s official gazette. The concession provides StarTimes with the legal basis to establish and operate a subscription television distribution business in the country.
The licensing mechanism is notable, as the authorisation was granted through a presidential decree rather than a licensing determination by an independent regulatory authority, reflecting the approach used for certain market access decisions in Angola.
However, the decree does not indicate an operational launch date or provide details of the proposed service. It contains no information about channel offerings, pricing, decoder distribution, or whether the company intends to use terrestrial, satellite or a combination of distribution technologies.
StarTimes has therefore secured permission to enter the market, but there is no confirmation that its subscription television service has commenced operations.
Competition In Angola’s Pay-TV Market
The authorisation introduces a potential new competitor into a market already served by established operators, including DStv, ZAP and TV Cabo.
StarTimes has built its presence across several African markets through a business model focused on affordable decoders, lower-cost subscription packages and terrestrial and satellite distribution. This approach has enabled the company to target price-sensitive households and expand access to pay-TV services.
Its potential entry into Angola comes at a time when established subscription television operators are facing subscriber pressures, creating an increasingly competitive environment for broadcasters and content distributors.
A low-cost offering from StarTimes could introduce additional pricing competition, particularly in the lower-income segment of the market, while potentially expanding access to locally and internationally distributed television content.
Nevertheless, the commercial impact will depend on the company’s eventual pricing structure, content partnerships, distribution infrastructure and operational launch plans.
The presidential decree confirms the concession but does not establish when the service will become available. Further details from the company or relevant Angolan authorities will be needed to clarify its implementation and market positioning.
