Broadcast, Film and Convergence in Africa - Issue no. 327 6 November 2019
Top Story
DISCOP 2019 focuses on Free-To-Air broadcasters because they are still the ones delivering mass audiences despite the Pay TV and VoD hype, says Patrick Zuchowicki
6 November 2019
DISCOP’s founder and CEO Patrick Zuchowicki says that this year’s event will be focused on providing profile and business opportunities for Africa’s Free-To-Air broadcasters, particularly its public broadcasters. Russell Southwood spoke to him about what he has planned for DISCOP 2019. Zuchowicki says that there will be 750 attendees at this year’s DISCOP. There will be 250 acquisition executives, representing 75-200 platforms and 200 producers from Africa with 50 projects in development:”It’s important for us to highlight co-production. It’s about going beyond buying and selling”. There will be a strong focus on a key group of countries - UK, Canada,…
Broadcast
Apple launches its video streaming service Apple TV+ in South Africa at R84.99 monthly.
6 November 2019
Apple has launched its Apple TV+ in South Africa costing R84.99, as well as in over 100 other countries and territories with its new Apple's new global video streaming service…
Broadcast
Togo passes law to speed up DTT migration
7 November 2019
Togo's Parliament has approved the switch to digital terrestrial television (DTT) to fast-track a procedure that was initiated a few years ago, reports Togofirst. The law was passed in the…
Broadcast
SABC confirms payment plan to give local artists what is owed to them
7 November 2019
Cape Town - Thousands of authors and composers whose music is broadcast on SABC TV and radio can now be assured of receiving their royalty fees as the SABC begins…
Broadcast
China to offer satellite TV to 500 villages in Ivory Coast
7 November 2019
In Ivory Coast, representatives of the Chinese government have just launched the local part of the project to offer satellite television to 10,000 African villages. The Ivorian part of the…
Broadcast
A+E Networks renegotiating or trying to renegotiate with MultiChoice about its channels set on DStv - sources.
7 November 2019
A+E Networks, which will see its set of channels including History, Crime+Investigation Network and Lifetime disappear from DStv at the end of this month, is negotiating with MultiChoice again or…
Broadcast
MultiChoice concludes share exchange offer to Phuthuma Nathi shareholders
7 November 2019
The MultiChoice Group (MCG) has concluded its offer to Phuthuma Nathi (PN) shareholders to exchange up to 20 percent of their PN shares for MCG shares. PN shareholders in both…
Broadcast
DStv 'Sambaza’ lowers pay for MultiChoice creatives
7 November 2019
MultiChoice Kenya has decried infringement on its content through illegal connections, popularly known as ‘DStv Sambaza’, with the South Africa-based broadcaster saying the trend is lowering pay for its local…
Content - Film
AND THE OSCAR DOES NOT GO TO... Netflix’s first Nollywood original film has been disqualified from Oscars consideration for its English dialogue
7 November 2019
Nigeria’s Nollywood movie industry will be waiting a while longer for its first Academy Award nomination. Lionheart, the country’s first ever film submitted for consideration in the International Feature Film…
Content - Film
Trevor Noah To Produce Film About 8-Year-Old Chess Prodigy Who Overcame Homelessness
7 November 2019
The inspiring story of a young chess prodigy whose family overcame homelessness is coming to the big screen. According to Deadline, Trevor Noah will produce a film about 8-year-old Tani…
Content - Film
Tunisia’s Carthage Film Festival Awards Female Moroccan Directors
7 November 2019
Moroccan filmmakers Maryam Touzani, Yasmine Benadbdallah, and Latefa Ahrrare all won awards at the Carthage Film Festival in Tunisia. Tunisia’s Carthage Film Festival Awards Female Moroccan Directors Rabat – Moroccan…
Content - Film
South Africa: SA Film 'Moffie' Nominated for 3 British Independent Film Awards!
7 November 2019
Cape Town — South African film Moffie has been nominated for three British Independent Film Awards. The nominations were announced on Wednesday, and the LGBTQI movie is nominated in the…
Content - Film
MultiChoice Talent Factory reveals two feature films produced by Class of 2018
7 November 2019
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 2019 — MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) is proud to introduce two original feature films, Savannah Skies and The Painting, produced entirely by the MTF Academy’s Class…
Content - Film
In brief
7 November 2019
Here are the winners of the 2019 Africa Movie Academy Awards, which held on Sunday, October 27, 2019, at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos. read more here
Content - Television
A24 Media Launches All Factual VOD Platform Platform will be a curation of African stories from over 30 countries
7 November 2019
A24 Media Founder Asif Sheikh. The firm has launched an all factual Video on Demand (VoD) platform. Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU) based A24 Media on Wednesday launched Yebo, an…
Content - Television
Africa Canal + adds M6 International to its bouquets
7 November 2019
Canal + In Africa is now integrating the M6 International TV channel into its television packages. The information was provided a few days ago when the pay-TV operator communicated the…
Content - Television
SABC lands deal to air Rugby World Cup final
7 November 2019
South African public-service broadcaster, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), has reached an agreement with SuperSport to air the 2019 Rugby World Cup final between South Africa and England on…
Content - Television
The SABC plans to launch its own streaming service
7 November 2019
The SABC is looking to buy or build its own streaming service in the medium-term, says group chief executive officer Madoda Mxakwe. Speaking at a media conference on Wednesday (23…
Content - Television
Pineapple TV launches on StarTimes
7 November 2019
Pineapple TV, a dedicated African children's and family television channel, has launched on Startimes Network Channel 129. It claims to offer safe, fun, and quality Afro-centric programming for children aged…
Content - Television
DStv abandoned decision to remove lifetime and historical channel
7 November 2019
In Cape Town, Multichoice has abandoned its decision to remove two of the A + E network channels. This conclusion comes after companies have signed a new multi-year contract. “We’ve…
Content - Television
Cartoon Network and TNT make their way to MultiChoice’s GOtv!
7 November 2019
Leading channel provider of wholesome family entertainment and blockbuster movies tailor-made for African fans, WarnerMedia Africa, is expanding its entertainment offering by introducing Cartoon Network and TNT on MultiChoice’s digital…
Content - Television
Arewa24 introduces new all-Hausa Language streaming service
7 November 2019
Hausa Language entertainment and lifestyle channel in Nigeria and West Africa, AREWA24, has announced the launch of “Arewa24On Demand,” its new global subscription video-on-demand (“SVOD”) and “Over-the-Top” (OTT) streaming service.…
Distribution
Demand Africa Closes Global Distribution Deals With Africa's Leading Content Providers
7 November 2019
Demand Africa (DA), has announced that M-NET Studios, Cote Ouest, eTV, BBC, and SABC have joined the list of top African distributors showcasing the best of the continent on its…
Distribution
‘The Woman Who Loves Giraffes’ Lands Theatrical Deal With Zeitgeist & Kino Lorber
7 November 2019
EXCLUSIVE: Zeitgeist Films in association with Kino Lorber has acquired U.S. rights to The Woman Who Loves Giraffes, the Alison Reid documentary about pioneering biologist Anne Innis Dagg, who began…
Distribution
We are not blocking YouTube Premium videos in South Africa – FPB
7 November 2019
The Film and Publication Board of South Africa (FPB) has told MyBroadband that it is not delaying the release of Google’s original content on YouTube Premium in South Africa. YouTube…
Technology & Convergence
LiveU Expands Live Streaming for South Africa’s Horse Racing World
7 November 2019
Used for vibrant interactive live broadcasts from the race track, betting shops, awards ceremonies and more, replacing traditional transmission technology. Hackensack, NJ, October 28th, 2019 – LiveU technology is being…
Technology & Convergence
NBC in Nigeria to switch off analogue signal in 2020
7 November 2019
The National Broadcasting Commission reports that plans are underway to begin analogue switch-off in six localities, starting with Abuja next year.The Commission also announced that the federal government will issue…
Technology & Convergence
Bookings Africa launches mobile app
7 November 2019
Bookings Africa, a new mobile app which is set to revolutionise the pan-African marketplace for the ‘gig’ economy has launched in Nigeria. Bookings Africa is a leading pan-African marketplace that…
Regulation & Policy
ICASA to issue an invitation to apply for new community broadcasting services
7 November 2019
Pretoria – The Council of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) today approved the publication of an Invitation To Apply (ITA) in respect of applications for Class Community…
Regulation & Policy
Here’s why the US is reviewing its dealings with South Africa
7 November 2019
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is reviewing its current dealings with South Africa based on intellectual property concerns. In a statement on Friday (25 October), the…
Investment
ADMI, Rubika boosts Kenya’s movie industry with €800mn film facility
7 November 2019
The African Digital Media Institute (ADMI) as of last evening unveiled its €800 million partnership with Rubika to build ultra-modern facilities for Kenya's movie industry. Read more here
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People
7 November 2019
Kannywood top actresses, Rahama Sadau and Fati Washa, were some of the winners from the Hausa movie industry on Saturday at the 23 Africa Films Award 2019 in London. The…
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Opportunities
7 November 2019
The African Emerging Filmmakers Awards: Call for entries The African Emerging Filmmakers Awards (AEFA) would like to invite all Africa filmmakers to submit their films. The awards ceremony will take…
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Events
7 November 2019
The Global Migration Film Festival November 28 – December 18, 2019 The Global Migration Film Festival showcases films that capture the promise and challenges of migration. The UN Migration Agency…
