Issue no 106 9 June 2011
Top Story
Satellite companies pitch DTH as a solution to meeting the digital broadcast transition deadline
The ITU deadline agreed by most African countries for the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting is only four years away. Elsewhere in the world, the transition has taken between 3 to 14 years to complete so time is running out. Knowing the difficulties of rolling out terrestrial digital (DTT) broadcast equipment, the satellite companies are putting forward DTH satellite as an alternative. Thus far no Government has yet taken up the idea but as the deadline nears it’s worth thinking about. Balancing Act’s Sylvain Béletre talks to Christoph Limmer, Senior Director, Market Development Africa, SES about what satellite can…
Broadcast
First PayTV platform in Tunisia to be launched end 2011
" Talfazti " (“my TV” in English), a bouquet of television channels, radios and a portal to services delivered on a platform of digital terrestrial and IP television (DTT /…
Broadcast
Madagascar: BluelineTV - USD 4.95 for 10 channels bouquet
Announced back in July 2010, Blueline, the telecoms service provider, has finally launched, on Tuesday, 24 May 2011 at “l'hôtel du Louvre” in Antaninarenina, “blueline TV” which does not require…
Broadcast
Senegal: Digital television, audiovisual issue
In June 2015, states will shift from analog to digital broadcasting to meet the ITU’s 2015 deadline it agreed back in 2006. An awareness seminar was opened on the subject…
Broadcast
Music maestro! The African Night on TV5MONDE + Africa
On Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 21:00 (Paris time), a live African music concert will be broadcast on the continent by TV5Monde Africa and its partner channel France O.For the…
Broadcast
Broadcast - In Brief
- Global satellite operator SES has joined forces with Kenyan television and broadband operator Wananchi to launch a new Direct-to-Home (DTH) line-up called Zuku TV in East Africa. Zuku TV…
Content
A tale from Africa - Cannes 2011 review of “Blue Bird”
Playing at Cannes in the Director’s Fortnight sidebar, Blue Bird has certainly been a film that’s been widely promoted within the festival market, regularly gracing the cover of the daily…
Content
11 days to go until ZIFF 2011
From 18 - 26 June, 2011, Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) now in its 14th year, taking place in Zanzibar, Tanzania is East Africa's largest film and arts festival, showcasing…
Content
Mozambique: SNJ/Vodacom Journalism Prize
Mozambique's National Union of Journalists (SNJ) and the mobile phone company Vodacom on Tuesday launched the fourth annual edition of the journalism prizes sponsored by Vodacom.There are eight categories in…
Content
A24 Media offers a film catalogue dedicated to Mothers Day and Children victims of aggressions
Mothers Day (2nd May) is an annual holiday that celebrates mothers, the women in our lives, and their contributions to society. This is in great contrast to the International day…
Content
Content - In Brief
- New film 'Ni Wakati' shines a light on Africa's history of resilience and its rich diversity through a journey with M1 of the prolific rap group Dead Prez and…
Distribution
Nigeria Export Promotion Council takes Nollywood on Kenyan road show
The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in partnership with Nollywood and the Nigeria High Commission in Kenya are to embark on a road show to promote the Nigerian movies industry…
Distribution
Zanzibar: ZIFF’s campaign to re-open the Majestic Cinema
British Documentary maker Nick Broomfield talks to ZIFF bout Zanzibar’s Majestic Cinema. Q: You are a supporter of ZIFF’s campaign to re-open the Majestic Cinema, why is it important to…
Distribution
Distribution - In Brief
- On 19 May 2011, SuperSport has acquired the rights for the AMA Motocross Championship Highlights Series (MX series) from 2011-2013. The programming, consisting of 15 hour-long programmes in SD…
Distribution
Mobicine motorcycle take movies to the people
Since Monday, 9th May 2011, seven Mobicine scooters take cinema across Dakar, and 7 more are in Bamako since start of June. While (almost) all legal cinemas have closed in…
Technology & Convergence
“TV5Monde + Africa” WebTV celebrates its first year of existence
Launched May 25, 2010 (Africa Day), TV5Monde + Africa, a WebTV channel dedicated to the continent and the African audiovisual creation announced excellent performancs. In less than a year (June…
Technology & Convergence
SA: First DVB-T2 switch-on in June 2011
Communications Minister Roy Padayachie delivered his budget vote speech in parliament today, shedding light in the Department of Communications’ plans in the telecoms and broadcasting space. One of the department’s…
Technology & Convergence
Technology & Convergence - In Brief
- CNN's weekly primetime Africa programmes are on Facebook! The social network enables viewers to view videos and to interact with producers and reporters. Source: CNN Africa.- TV5Monde is about…
Regulation & Policy
Zimbabwe: Broadcasting Authority offers two commercial radio licenses
The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) called for applications for two commercial radio licenses in an advert in the state run Herald newspaper. A number of media groups described it…
Regulation & Policy
Côte d'Ivoire: Pro-Gbagbo journalist and presenter at Radio Yopougon murdered
25 May 2011, Reporters Without Borders is shocked to learn that Sylvain Gagnetaud, a journalist who openly supported former President Laurent Gbagbo's Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), was killed two weeks…
Regulation & Policy
Regulation & Policy - In Brief
- A Sudanese radio journalist has been arrested by local authorities in South Sudan two weeks ago and his whereabouts remains unknown, his news organization has revealed. The US-funded Sudan…
Investment
Kenya: Script changes in broadcast and film industry
Kenya's broadcast and film industry is set to get a major boost through a government initiative to promote the country's underutilised creative content economy to earn the country more jobs…
Investment
Ethiopia: A Film Festival strengthens ties between India and Africa
Indian culture is becoming increasingly popular in Africa. Films from "Bollywood" are on this continent particularly popular. A festival has been established in Ethiopia to meet this demand. India seeks to…
Investment
Investment - In Brief
- Universal Networks International announced 16 May 2011, its support for Focus Features' Africa First initiative that aims to bring African filmmakers to industry attention. Universal Channel in Africa will…
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Events
9 - 26 June 2011EncountersVenue: Cape Town, South AfricaTel: [+ 27] 21 465 46 86Fax: [+ 27] 21 461 69 64distribution@encounters.co.zaFor more information click here: 11 - 19 June, 2011The…
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People
MDDA CEO morns the death of this father Johannesburg May 23rd 2011: The MDDA - The Media Development and Diversity Agency of South Africa supporting local media - is sad…
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Opportunities
African Media Initiative seeks Director of Communications & Knowledge Management, and more executive positionsThe African Media Initiative (AMI) seeks to strengthen the media sector, from an owner and operator perspective,…
