StarTimes NPFL deal ends after two years due to low returns and decoder sales, CEO confirms during Abuja event
StarTimes NPFL Deal has officially ended, just two years into the five-year agreement signed in 2023.
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The company’s CEO, Joshua Wang, confirmed that poor financial returns and low decoder patronage among Nigerians led to the contract termination.
Speaking at an event organized by the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) in Abuja, Wang said that despite fulfilling their broadcast promises, the business model proved unsustainable.
“We have tried to meet our promises to promote and broadcast the NPFL. But unfortunately, due to economic issues, we are not making it as a business partner,” he stated.
Wang added that the pay TV model hasn’t yielded expected results, with very limited consumer interest in NPFL content via StarTimes offerings.
He also acknowledged that NTA had stepped in to continue broadcasting the league.
Gbenga Elegbeleye, NPFL Chairman, clarified that the deal was under a two-season probation clause.
“We said that the first two seasons are probatory. After that, we would discuss how to go further,” Elegbeleye explained.
The NPFL is now exploring other options, including a renewed broadcast deal with NTA.
However, ongoing leadership changes at the station—after President Bola Tinubu reversed the recent appointment of Rotimi Pedro as NTA DG—have cast uncertainty over the arrangement.
StarTimes’ exit marks another blow to local sports broadcasting, as Nigeria continues to grapple with dwindling investor confidence in its domestic football league.
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Despite the setback, the NPFL board remains committed to securing new partnerships that can offer consistent visibility and commercial value for the league.
Source: Read more at tvcnews.tv
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
