Korean eletronics giant Samsung will begin selling television sets in selected African markets that come bundled with a satellite tuner that will allow consumers to watch a free television bouquet of more than 60 channels provided by satellite operator SES.

The LED-backlit LCD flat-panel TVs, known as the Samsung LED TV Free Satellite, will be available to consumers in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, the Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon in the third quarter of this year.

A Samsung spokesman wasn’t immediately able to say when or even if the service will be available in SA.

The company says in a statement that it hopes to bring more channels to more African regions in 2013 with a new satellite from SES to be used for this project.

Through its agreement with SES, Samsung says it will provide approximately 30 English channels and more than 30 French channels to television viewers.

Christoph Limmer, SES’s senior director of marketing development and marketing in Africa, says the deal with Samsung will bring digital content to more African consumers and encourage African broadcasters to launch more free-to-air content in the region.

“In serving more than 40 African countries, we are well aware of the huge demand for greater services — both quality and quantity,” says Limmer. — Staff reporter, TechCentral