Broadcast, Film and Convergence in Africa - Issue no. 315 – 23 May 2019
Top Story
The long and winding road to the DTT switchover in Africa – A tale of two neighbours, Benin and Nigeria, with very different outcomes
23 May 2019
Almost four years have passed since the original ITU deadline for the switchover to digital broadcasting in Africa, designed to free up spectrum, improve broadcast quality and extend viewer choice. Benin and Nigeria offer contrasting stories of progress. Russell Southwood looks at what’s happening in Benin and what went wrong in Nigeria. In early April Serge Koudjo, General Secretary at the Ministry of Digital Economy and Communications announced that StarTimes had completed four DTT transmission sites in the major urban areas of Cotonou, Gbéhoué, Abomey-Calavi and Porto-Novo. "Benin will open its TNT network within a few months," he said, adding…
Broadcast
China-Funded Village Television Initiative Reportedly Yields Fantastic Results In Zambia
23 May 2019
The Zambian government has described an initiative funded by China to offer satellite television services to rural parts of the country as an incredible success that has achieved the intended…
Broadcast
StarTimes On to reward content providers with PAOFF
23 May 2019
STARTIMES ON at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, on May 16th, 2019, announced its Pan Africa Online Film Festival (PAOFF). The pay TV has set several awards to encourage African…
Broadcast
TNT Sat Africa to launch services in Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea
23 May 2019
Mali-based television operator TNT Sat Africa will launch its services in Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea, reports Nextvame. The company has just obtained approval and will be able to begin its…
Content - Film
African filmmakers unite under ‘Pavillon Afriques’ at Festival de Cannes 2019
23 May 2019
Now in its 72nd year, the Festival de Cannes is a key highlight on the global film festival calendar, bringing together filmmakers from across the globe to premiere new content.…
Content - Film
The lost legacy of South Africa’s first black action movie
23 May 2019
Ken Gampu as Joe Bullet. (SBS) The 1970s was a key time in the history of black cinema. In the US what we now call the “Blaxploitation” movement kicked off…
Content - Film
Atlantique review – African oppression meets supernatural mystery
23 May 2019
‘Some memories are omens,” says the heroine of this intriguingly ruminative and poetic movie from Mati Diop, making her feature film debut in the Cannes competition after an acting career…
Content - Film
Encounters announces opening night film
23 May 2019
The 21st Encounters South African International Documentary Festival has announced the opening night film as well as a host of the most talked-about non-fiction films from the past year. Fresh…
Content - Television
Yalla Yalla to offer Arabic film and TV content in MENA
23 May 2019
Yalla Yalla is a brand-new Dubai-based film and television company from a joint venture between Dubai-based distributor and producer, Front Row Filmed Entertainment and UK sales and production outfit Rocket…
Content - Television
Showmax Screens Swahili Telenovelas That Are Revamping Kenya’s TV Industry
23 May 2019
In the history of Kenyan television, Swahili soap operas were the rage, according to many of the country’s TV viewers. Swahili soapies such as Penzi Hatari, Tausi, and Kisulisuli were…
Content - Television
Netflix on a Roll with Afrocentric Content
23 May 2019
Shortly after announcing their first ever South African series Queen Sono, Netflix announced the release of another local production, Shadow. The story follows police detective Shadrach ‘Shadow’ Khumalo as he…
Content - Television
Kwesé iflix Partners Flytime Promotions to Bring More Local Content to its African Subscribers
23 May 2019
Africa’s fastest growing mobile entertainment app, Kwesé iflix, has reemphasised its commitment to bringing more local content to its viewers with a recent partnership with foremost entertainment company, Flytime Promotions.…
Content - Television
Iconic South African series Yizo Yizo now available on Viu SA
23 May 2019
Viu, a leading entertainment streaming service, has announced the re-entry of Yizo Yizo on South African screens. As part of its licence agreement with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC),…
Content - Television
In Brief
23 May 2019
MultiChoice Nigeria has launched a special Ramadan pop-up channel to cater to the spiritual needs of its Muslim viewers on GOtv and DStv throughout the Holy Month of Ramadan, ThisDay…
Distribution
Insight TV launches on My-HD platform in MENA
23 May 2019
Insight TV has launched its HD channel in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) on My-HD, the low-pay DTH HD Pay-TV platform in the region. The deal was concluded…
Distribution
Canal Algerie now on Arabsat-5C with Globecast
23 May 2019
Canal Algerie is now available on Arabsat-5C, making the channel available on the satellite’s Direct-To-Home platform over Africa. Canal Algerie is an Algerian French-speaking public television channel, owned by EPTV…
Technology & Convergence
Kymeta Announces Partnership with Türksat to Bring Land and Sea Connectivity to Europe, Middle East and Africa
23 May 2019
Redmond, Wash. – Kymeta— the communications company that is completing the connectivity fabric for everything, everywhere—announced a new partnership with Türksat, one of the world’s leading companies providing satellite communications…
Regulation & Policy
Rwanda plans to regulate social media content
23 May 2019
Rwanda is working strategies to regulate social media contents to stop misinformation. Paul Ingabire, Rwanda’s IT manager spoke before the parliamentary committee on National budget for the 2019/2020 budget. Her…
Regulation & Policy
In Brief
23 May 2019
The Ghanaian National Communication Authority (NCA) has threatened to shut down with immediate effect radio stations operating without valid authorisation, as determined by the 2017 FM Broadcasting Audit. The audit…
Investment
It’s about to become much easier to track box office earnings in Africa
23 May 2019
The latest boost local movie industries in Africa are getting is data. Comscore, the US-based media analytics company known for providing box office measurement data, is expanding operations to nine…
Investment
StarTimes invests$220m in Nigeria
23 May 2019
StarTimes Nigeria said it has invested over $220m in Nigeria and will in July introduce solar panels into the Nigerian market. Newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, StarTimes Nigeria, Mr. David…
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Opportunities
23 May 2019
MultiChoice Partners New York Film Academy Pay television firm, MultiChoice has announced a partnership between its flagship initiative, the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), and the New York Film Academy College…
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Events
23 May 2019
Animation du Monde 2020 returns to DISCOP Abidjan ANIMATION DU MONDE 2020 @ DISCOP ABIDJAN Animation du Monde 2020 returns to DISCOP Abidjan in partnership with the African Animation Network…
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People
23 May 2019
SABC appoints Dr Craig van Rooyen as acting COO, replacing Chris Maroleng National Assembly approves list of SABC board members, DA wants amendment The SABC has appointed Dr Craig van…
