SLT plans to double PEO TV subscriber base to one million in two years

By Nishel Fernando 

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) is planning to double its PEO TV subscriber base to one million in two years with the integration of  over-the-top (OTT) services and IPTV experiences through the recently launched PEOTV GO application accessible via smart devices.

SLT in partnership with Millennium IT and Slovenian based advanced interactive TV platform provider, Beenius launched integrated and interactive PEOTV GO application last week in Colombo. 

The PEOTV GO application which is based on PEO TV platform is accessible via any smart device, and the 4G subscribers are now also able to experience PEO TV’s Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) on their smart device.

Speaking to Mirror Business on the sidelines of the launch, SLT, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kiththi Perera revealed that SLT aims to double its PEO TV subscriber base to one million in two years by attracting 4G consumers to PEO TV.

SLT has around 425,000 PEO TV subscribers at the moment and PEO tv products contributed 9 percent to SLT’s top line last year. 

SLT, in particular, is planning to capitalise on OTT services to broaden its PEO tv customer base. Perera stressed that PEOTV GO will provide a more interactive experience for customers enabling the public to develop their own content in the platform.

“You can be very creative in developing the content. Some of the content could be interactive, which can be created by the public,” he said.

Speaking of the international media-services provider, Perera pointed out that as most of these media-services provider lack local content, SLT will have the edge over them.
As the most of content is hosted locally, the subscribers will also be able to access this content at cheaper rates, particularly Mobitel users. 

“Since, most of our content is locally hosted; we should be able to give it at a better data bundle. The data will be subsidized for the content hosted locally. However, when they access the global content, they will be charged at the nominal or usual rate,” he said. 

Perera also announced that the PEOTV GO application will be launched worldwide targeting Sri Lankan expats, enabling them access to Sri Lanka,  irrespective of where they live. 
In addition, Beenius, CEO, Filip Remškar highlighted that the personalised advertising will be another key feature of PEOTV GO, where PEO TV customers will get relevant advertising according to their viewing choices.  

SLT has further planned to partner with local and international players to bring more content to its subscribers.