There are more than 15 licensed local TV stations in Kenya with many still pending but just like in every business in the media sector, it is all about market share and positive feedback from the customers and in this case: the viewers. Only a few of Kenyan TV stations stand out from among others and generally, KBC, NTV, KTN, Citizen TV, K24, QTV are the biggest TV stations in Kenya in terms of coverage and number of viewers but the introduction of Kiss TV, which happens to be a 24-hour Music TV Station and Classic TV which airs African content including African movies, programs, documentary, and music has stiffened the competition and the fight for audience. The Kenya Advertising Research Foundation provides a report on the most viewed TV stations in Kenya. Some of the TV stations have up to an average viewing time of over 14 hours per week. Below is the list of Popular TV Stations in Kenya.
See Also: List of Most Popular Radio Stations in Kenya with their Addresses
Most Watched Kenya TV Stations
10. K24 TV
K24 TV is among the most popular TV stations in Kenya with an average viewing time of 3.1 hours per week. It is powered byMediaMaxx Network Ltd which was established in 2009 and now happens to be one of the fastest growing media houses in Kenya. MediaMax group is the holding company for K24 TV, Kameme FM, Meru FM, The People Daily and other Kenya radio stations like Milele FM and Mayian FM.
9. Family TV
Family TV is a channel that was established to reach out to Christians. Founded in 1999 and apart from being the pioneer faith channel in Kenya, it is now East and Central Africa’s largest Christian television network and Kenya’s most watched faith channel. Kenya is a Christian country however, this does not mean that Family TV gets the most viewers. It is rather struggling with a 3.1-hour viewership per week.
8. GBS
GBS (Good News Broadcasting System) started its operations in 2009 and is a Christian TV broadcasting station in Kenya. GBS is a private broadcasting which runs by sponsorship and advertisement revenue. GBS is not just an “all gospel” television network but also has other forms of entertainment including music, movies, and documentaries included in their programme as well as shopping TV.
7. Kiss TV
Kiss TV Kiss started out locally but has now gone national. The station does not only broadcast music but occasional African movies. If you are looking for entertainment channel in Kenya, Kiss TV is a good place to start. Sports are also featured in their programme including English Premier League (selected matches), The German Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League. It receives an average viewing time of 4.5 hours per week.
See Also: 10 Most Subscribed Youtube Stations in Kenya
6. Kass TV
Kass TV is a Kenyan television channel introduced by Kass Media Group. The group is also behind other media outlets in Kenya including Kass FM, a radio station in Kenya, Kass magazine which also publishes in the United Kingdom, Kass Sports and Kass Entertainments, events and activities management. Kass TV has an average of 5.1 hours of view per week.
5. KBC
KBC is the oldest broadcasting TV station in Kenya. They provide the audience with coverage for national issues and the public service sectors. The Corporation enhances the development of local cultural values by facilitating the dissemination, preservation and conservation of authentically indigenous values. The station has an average of 6.1 viewing hours per week.
4. KTN
Kenya Television Network (KTN) is one of the major TV stations in Kenya founded in 1990 as the very first non-pay privately owned TV-station in Africa. The head office is located at the Standard Group Centre on Mombasa road. It was quite a popular TV station in the 90s and early 2000 during which the station was remarkable for its aggressive and blunt news coverage but a few years after, the station struggled for a while and is on track for recovery. – Watch KTN live online
3. QTV
First started on a wobbling note but the station has shown marked improvement since its establishment. With the latest number of hours standing at 6.5 hours per week, it has left much to be envied by others.
2. NTV
The media sector is always competing within itself for a larger audience and market share. NTV came into being on May 12, 2005, and has gained in the recent times when compared with KTN which in turn, has suffered a lot of losses.
1. Citizen TV
Citizen TV Kenya is indisputably the most popular TV station in Kenya. It is Kenya’s biggest television station with a strong focus on local programmes. The station’s target audience ranges from the affluent urban elite to the lower end Kenyan Citizens on the socio-economic scale. Citizen TV is powered by the Royal Media Services which was the first media company to run a licensed private radio station: Radio Citizen, in 1998. They have in addition to Citizen TV 11 radio stations. It receives an average of 14.2 hours of viewing per week.
Other Notable TV Stations in Kenya
SAYARE TV
SAYARE TV Broadcast started out in 2002 with the Christian community being the main target. There are also other forms of entertainment broadcast provided in addition to spiritual nourishment.
UTV
UTV was licensed by the media council of Kenya in 2006 and the station has gone ahead to capitalize on the growing need for entertainment, education and subsequent information dissemination. This has given the company an opportunity to identify a market niche for the provision of high-quality media services in the country. Currently, UTV has grown to capture 1.40% of the total sample base of surveyed Kenyan TV viewers.
