Broadcast, Film and Convergence in Africa - Issue no. 336 25 March 2020
Top Story
Covid-19: What will happen to African broadcast and film when Governments hit the pause button on the economy – An opening snapshot of likely trends
25 March 2020
Broadcast and film are bellwhether sectors of the economy that go up and down with fluctuations in advertising and wider economic trends. African broadcasting was not in great shape in key countries because most African economies are in the doldrums or under increasing pressure. Russell Southwood tries to make sense of the good news and the bad news. I am based in London which is a Covid-19 hot-spot and we are now living under “lockdown”. Looking back, changes happened in ripples as the bad news about the virus became clearer and clearer. The full peak of infected patients and deaths…
Broadcast
Cartoon Network’s first 100% African animated shorts show off with outstanding performance results!
25 March 2020
Cartoon Network Africa’s Shesha Fest did not hold back as viewers got to see, for the first time, a melting pot of highly innovative shorts, wholly produced in Africa! The…
Broadcast
Ninth Cape Town International Animation Festival postponed to April 2021
25 March 2020
The event will take place at the Cape Town Stadium and will be excitingly co-located with Comic Con Cape Town. Both events were scheduled to take place in May this…
Broadcast
14th South African Film and Television Awards cancelled
25 March 2020
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday night declared a national state of disaster following the outbreak of the coronavirus in South Africa. In his address to the nation, he said that…
Broadcast
Virus won’t stop SA’s TV shows
25 March 2020
Several international TV series including Trevor Noah and Wendy Williams' shows have suspended production indefinitely because of Covid-19. But local TV shows have yet to halt production despite strict precautionary…
Broadcast
As Cameras Keep Rolling in South Africa, Producers Sound ‘Urgent’ Plea Over Coronavirus Threat
25 March 2020
South African producers are demanding an “urgent all-industry response” to the threat posed by coronavirus, with a leading industry body calling for a coordinated plan from broadcasters and government agencies…
Broadcast
Coronavirus: Netflix content boss Ted Sarandos says 'Every one of our productions around the world are shut down'; says streamer works far ahead so will continue to roll out new shows
25 March 2020
The Netflix content boss says the world's largest video streaming service has shut down all of its productions worldwide but that its service won't be impacted for now with staffers…
Content - Film
Losing Lerato film scoops international accolades
25 March 2020
Amid global panic around the Coronavirus pandemic, South African film Losing Lerato has brought smiles to a depressed nation after scooping six awards in the United States of America. The…
Content - Film
Cannes film festival postpones 2020 edition over coronavirus restrictions
25 March 2020
France’s premier event will not go ahead in its traditional May slot after government measures forced its hand The Cannes film festival has postponed this year’s edition, it has announced.…
Content - Film
‘Once Upon a Time in Uganda’: Welcome to Wakaliwood, Home of Africa’s Indie Quentin Tarantino [SXSW]
25 March 2020
In Hollywood, independent cinema is mostly made up of auteur filmmakers, producers, financiers, and up-and-coming talent who want to take a chance on a movie becoming a surprise hit or…
Content - Film
Scene + Heard is the creative crew bringing music and film from the black diaspora together
25 March 2020
S+H present Taxi Waves in London later this month Scene + Heard is the creative crew bringing music and film from the black diaspora together Formed in 2016, Scene +…
Content - Film
Moroccan film Monsters dominates at the RapidLion 2020 awards ceremony
25 March 2020
RapidLion – The South African International Film Festival awarded 16 winners at its 2020 awards ceremony which took place on Saturday, 14 March in Johannesburg. The late Dr. Lionel Ngakane…
Content - Television
MultiChoice To Remove British ITV Choice Channel From DStv Offering
25 March 2020
MultiChoice has revealed that it will be removing the British pay-TV channel ITV Choice (DStv 123) from its offering at the end of May after five years of broadcasting. ITV…
Content - Television
Maisha Magic Plus launches on DStv
25 March 2020
MultiChoice announces the launch of Maisha Magic channel in Kenya which will become the leading local entertainment provider in Kenya. The new TV channel will be available to all DStv…
Content - Television
SuperSport launches all-new themed channels
25 March 2020
The global pandemic Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on the world of live sport, but SuperSport has pulled out all the stops to ensure the best available sporting content is still…
Content - Television
StarTimes ON Rolls Out Free Access To More Than 100 Channels During COVID-19 Lockdown
25 March 2020
The pay-TV provider, StarTimes has opened up free access to more than 100 local and international channels on its streaming app, StarTimes ON during the global coronavirus lockdown. The…
Content - Television
Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham, Ramsey Nouah, others shine at AMVCA
25 March 2020
Top Nollywood actors, Funke Akindele, Toyin Abraham, Ramsey Nouah, were some of the big winners at the seventh edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards held on Saturday at…
Distribution
ICASA Calls For Major Sporting Events To Be Free-To-Air In South Africa
25 March 2020
South Africa’s Department of Communications and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) have revealed that they want a number major sporting events to be broadcast on free-to-air as…
Distribution
Confederation Of African Football (CAF) To Issue TV Rights Tenders
25 March 2020
The Confederation of African Football has announced an official invitation to tender for broadcast services related to its competitions, including the flagship Africa Cup of Nations in 2021. The tender…
Technology & Convergence
Zimbabwe Plans To Launch Broadcast Satellite
25 March 2020
Zimbabwe has taken a significant step towards the realisation of a vision to launch its own broadcast satellites into space after finalising a $25 million deal to upgrade the TelOne…
Technology & Convergence
MultiChoice Partners With Microsoft For Digital Transformation
25 March 2020
As a significant part of its digital transformation journey, the MultiChoice Group has announced that it has partnered with Microsoft South Africa for its solutions including Azure, Microsoft D365, 365…
Regulation & Policy
South Africa Imposes U.S., U.K. Travel Ban as Coronavirus Hits Production Hub
25 March 2020
As the growing coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt film and television production across the globe, the South African industry is bracing for the impact of the virus’s spread as the…
Regulation & Policy
The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe extends community radio station application deadline
25 March 2020
THE Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has extended the deadline for submission of licence applications for the provision of Digital Television and Community Broadcasting Services. In a press statement…
Regulation & Policy
Ster-Kinekor enacts theatre restrictions due to coronavirus
25 March 2020
Ster-Kinekor, arguably the largest and most popular name in physical theatres in South Africa, has released a statement about the measures it is taking during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak which…
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People
25 March 2020
Discovery Inc has announced its appointment of Clare O’ Neil as their new Commercial Director for Discovery in Africa. Clare’s focus will be on driving commercial growth for the brand’s…
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Opportunities
25 March 2020
Nollywood Film Festival Frankfurt 2020; call for submission of films opens Organisers of Nollywood Film festival Germany /Nollywood Europe Golden Award say submission of films for the festival is open…
