Despite rapid urbanisation, most South Africans still live in remote settlements. Basic transactions for services rendered require risky travel into town in taxis and standing in long queues to settle bills in cash. Exposure to road accidents and crime is a daily reality for many vulnerable citizens.
StarSat has worked hard to create a vast network of sales reps and installers to ensure personalised customer service to these communities. This national intervention supports StarSat's mission to ensure localised access to digital TV for underprivileged communities. A strategic partnership with Flash, forged two years ago, has amplified their effort to improve customer service to impoverished communities in SA.
Flash is a product that enables traders, business owners and operators to pay suppliers. Flash traders allow customers to pay their accounts at their local supermarket or spaza shop and Flash payment machines double as card machines, so customers don't need to carry cash.
With thousands of Flash merchants across the country, even in the remotest areas, Flash has saved its customers countless hours of travel and prevented them from exposure to dangerous roads and possible muggings.
Flash merchants also benefit from a boost in income, and the entities who partner with Flash reduce the number of missed payments caused by accessibility issues.
StarSat subscribers can now recharge at any Flash store on a weekly or monthly basis by simply using their smart card number. Thanks to this convenience, StarSat has seen prolific growth over the past year (peaking at 69%) since partnering with Flash.
Rural communities now enjoy uninterrupted access to StarSat's premium-entertainment digital TV channels. StarSat's Special Bouquet (72 channels at R130 a month) is the most popular choice in indigent communities. This bouquet is now enriched through the introduction of the Hollywood movie channel FilmBox Action (channel 140) and reality-TV channel CBS Reality at no extra cost. Flash plays a critical role in improving the retention rate of StarSat's Special Bouquet subscribers.
In the build-up to the festive season and school holidays, StarSat has worked tirelessly to boost its Super Bouquet (R250 a month for 84 channels). This bouquet with its premium channel is its fastest-growing bouquet with the highest retention. On 3 November, three world-class channels were added to the Super Bouquet.
TLC (channel 165) is a popular reality-TV channel primarily aimed at women. TLC programmes share the real-life stories of families, transformations, and actualities without judgment. Its top shows include 90 Day Fiancé, Doubling Down with the Derricos, Dr Pimple Popper, and 7 Little Johnstons.
ID (channel 223), aka Investigation Discovery, is a true-crime channel known for its in-depth and often disturbing crime documentaries, docuseries, and reality shows. The shows that have made it one of the best true-crime channels in the world include Murder in the Heartland, Homicide Hunter, and Evil Lives Here.
The Discovery Channel (224) is a multi-award-winning, high-quality documentary channel exploring science, technology, exploration, and history. Its top shows include Homestead Rescue, Wheeler Dealers, and Mark Rober’s Revengineers.
Boing (channel 301) is still in its testing phase but will also be added to the Super Bouquet soon. Aimed at children aged five to 12, it will screen classic and new cartoons that teach life lessons while keeping them entertained. Top shows on this channel will include Batman, Dexter’s Laboratory, and Miss Moon.
Making sure your TV stays connected to this top-tier entertainment is easier than ever with StarSat and Flash. With their shared customer base, this partnership is the most convenient option for StarSat customers who want to recharge their accounts instantly. All they need is their smart card number to pay.
This post and content is sponsored, written and produced by StarSat.