Issue no 2003 - 7 May 2015
Top Story
Highest demand ever for satellite broadcast services in Africa, says Eutelsat’s Christoph Limmer
Picture above: Christoph Limmer, Vice President, Global Sales and Commercial Development, for broadcast services at Eutelsat. By Sylvain Béletre for Balancing Act, May 2015. Eutelsat has been pretty active in providing satellite capacity to African countries, both on the telecoms and broadcast segments. As Africa rather belatedly accelerates the transition to digital TV, Eutelsat has made quite a few announcements showing that the operator is consolidating its position as the key player in that field.Balancing Act’s Senior Analyst Sylvain Beletre talked to Christoph Limmer, Vice President, Global Sales and Commercial Development, for broadcast services at Eutelsat.Prior to…
Broadcast
Africa's top documentary festival announces first films
CitizenFour, Laura Poitras’s Oscar-winning documentary about whistleblower Edward Snowden, will open the 17th Encounters South African International Documentary Festival, running from 4-14 June 2015 in Cape Town and Johannesburg.Poitras won…
Broadcast
African Movie Channel in new deal with StarTimes – AMC series launches
Following a new deal signed in April 2015 with StarTimes, the international Pay TV operator, UK based broadcaster, African Movie Channel (AMC) today launched its latest offering, African Movie Channel…
Broadcast
Mediatech Africa: home to the latest in ground-breaking technology
Mediatech Africa, the largest media and entertainment technology trade show for southern Africa, will be staged this year from 15 to 17 July at the TicketPro Dome at Northgate, Johannesburg.Staged…
Broadcast
Four projects aimed at African-American audiences win pilot funds at inaugural Pitch Black event
NEW YORK — Four TV and web series that explode myths, expose hidden trauma and empower the black community moved a big step closer to the small screen after taking…
Broadcast
TV Connect Awards winners announced
TV Connect, a connected entertainment event, has announced the winners of the 2015 TV Connect Awards. The award ceremony was held at the Gherkin in Central London, and celebrated the…
Broadcast
AfricAvenir hosts African film screenings in June
In June 2015 AfricAvenir screens a number of African films at the Goethe-Centre, Hope Initiatives Southern Africa (HISA) Community Centre and Franco Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC) in Windhoek.On Saturday, 27…
Broadcast
Broadcast - In brief
Internationally renowned actress Leleti Khumalo, known for her leading roles in the movie and stage play “Sarafina” and “Yesterday” which was nominated in the 2005 Academy awards for the Best…
Content
Comedy Central Africa takes “Deal With It!”
Israeli distributor Keshet International has sold the American version of its hidden camera prank show Deal With It into Comedy Central Africa.The Viacom Media Networks International channel picked up seasons…
Content
MultiChoice to show Africa-inspired content on GOtv
Multichoice says that its will be celebrating Africa Day on 25 May with Africa-inspired content from sports, movies, fashion, lifestyle news and documentaries. Homegrown content on Africa Magic Family, Africa…
Content
SABC Encore launching on DStv as retro rerun channel
Cape Town – The SABC and MultiChoice will launch its rerun entertainment channel, called SABC Encore, on 11 May on channel 156 on DStv at 17:00.The launch of SABC Encore,…
Content
Caxton magazines launches Caxton television with BONA Mo
bona-moCaxton Magazines has continued its commiment for its brands to live beyond the printed page with the launch of Caxton Television and its first offering BONA Mo. Positioned as a…
Content
Presenting Jongo: Africa’s First Mainstream Superhero
Motion Story, an independent television and film studio based in Joburg, recently changed focus from iconic brands like Mercedes-Benz, Investec and PwC, to scripted drama after international author and screenwriter,…
Content
Disney looking for SA presenters
Cape Town – Disney has decided to do its first ever local South African TV production on the Disney Channel (DStv 303) and is now looking for three TV teens…
Content
Zuku Announce The Academy Award Winning “Selma” as the official opening film for ZIFF 2015
This year, the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award winning film SELMA will officially open ZIFF 2015 on Thursday, July 18th. SELMA is a historical drama film directed by Ava…
Content
Content - In brief
Malawian Film Helps Farmers Cope With Climate Change.“Mbeu Yosintha” was made to help farmers and rural communities cope with the effects of climate change, in particular the ever changing rain…
Distribution
African Movie Channel announces new StarTimes deal
Following a new deal signed in April 2015 with StarTimes, UK based broadcaster African Movie Channel (AMC) has launched its latest offering, African Movie Channel Series (AMC Series) on the…
Technology & Convergence
New streaming service ORIN launched in Nigeria
Online entertainment magazine Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET) has launched ORIN, a music streaming service designed to allow users access to exclusive Nigerian and African music content faster and to help…
Technology & Convergence
Wananchi’s SimbaNet unveils new services for SMEs
Wananchi Group’s subsidiary SimbaNet has added voice and TV services to its fibre-based Internet offering in a move aimed at growing its market share among small and medium-sized firms (SMEs).The…
Technology & Convergence
Bamba TV users urged to observe voltage rules
Bamba TV will give new set-top boxes for free to customers whose BAMBA decoders have malfunctioned due to power problems."Please contact Bamba customer service to get a brand new decoder…
Technology & Convergence
MultiChoice cuts Explora decoder price in Ghana
Multichoice Ghana said the price of the Explora decoder has been reduced from GHC 1,182 to GHC 850. New subscribers without the accessories will also get a fully installed Explora…
Regulation & Policy
StarTimes drops product and subscription fees for satellite TV viewers
StarTimes TV subscribers in Kenya with existing dish kits can now access StarTimes satellite TV service by acquiring a full High Definition (HD) decoder at just Shs 9999 upon subscribing…
Regulation & Policy
MultiChoice Objects to Reduction in DStv Subscription
A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed May 21, 2015 to rule on an application filed in objection to the suit seeking to restrain Multichoice Nigeria Limited from increasing…
Regulation & Policy
Industry associations call on FPB to withdraw Online Content Regulation Policy draft
An alliance of civil society and industry associations has issued a firm call for the Film and Publications Board (‘the Board’) to withdraw its draft Online Content Regulation Policy, which…
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Opportunities
Call for entries: Loeries’ new music video categoryWith the rise of music television channels and online platforms such as Youtube, songs today are seen as much as they are heard.…
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People
MultiChoice Africa appoints new CEOMultiChoice Africa has appointed Tim Jacobs, formerly chief financial officer of the pay-TV segment at MultiChoice, as the new CEO, replacing Nico Meyer who left the…
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Events
13 - 24 May 201568e edition of Festival de Cannes Cannes, France26 - 27 May 2015Satcom and Connected Africa 2015The Sandton Convention Centre - Sandton, Johannesburg, South AfricaAn event mainly…
