Broadcast, Film and Convergence in Africa - Issue no. 260 – 7 April 2017
Top Story
Uganda’s Kin Kariisa:” I don’t think 28 channels will survive. People are putting in money without getting a return”.
7 April 2017
Kin Kariisa is the Executive Chairman of Uganda’s Kin Group Ltd, the holding company for NBS Television, Salam Television, Sanyuka Television, Screen Media, and Dreamcatcher Productions. Russell Southwood spoke to him about the state of the broadcast market in Uganda Q: How did you get involved with NBS? A: Around 2007 I had a friend of mine who bought and TV licence and secondhand equipment (to launch a channel). He wanted me to upgrade the channel and I put money in. I told him I would only come in if I had a majority, a 60% shareholding. Later in 2010…
Broadcast
Lionsgate Is Developing an Action-Drama Film on Yasuke – The First Black Samurai
7 April 2017
Yasuke (believed to have lived during the 1500s) was a samurai of black African origin who served under the Japanese warlord Oda Nobunaga in 1581 and 1582. The name “Yasuke”…
Broadcast
Zambia’s First Musical Feature Film To Debut at Pan-African Film Festival in Cannes
7 April 2017
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – The first African musical film to be produced in Zambia will be debuted at the Le Festival International du Film PanAfricain in Cannes on April 8,…
Broadcast
ABS Broadcast launches AMC’s Nolly Africa channel
7 April 2017
ABS Broadcast, the privately-owned playout and broadcast services provider, has launched yet another channel for Africa Movie Channel (AMC) on the Nigerian platform, Inview. The new channel is a Nollywood…
Broadcast
In brief
7 April 2017
The hot-selling Italian mafia series Gomorrah continues its international roll-out. Beta Film has sold the Sky Italia mega-hit to M-Net, the biggest subscription TV network in Africa, where it will…
Content
Fox 2000 Acquires West African Fantasy Novel ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ in Blockbuster Deal
7 April 2017
Fox 2000 has acquired 23-year-old author Tomi Adeyemi’s debut YA (Young Adult) West African fantasy novel “Children of Blood and Bone,” which is the first in what will be a…
Content
A Taste of South Africa with Matt Tebbutt
7 April 2017
Filming has completed on a new 10-part television food series - A Taste of South Africa - with well-known British chef Matt Tebbutt as the show's presenter. Produced by South…
Content
Kwesé TV scores exclusive rights to bring the 2018 FIFA World Cup and FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 to Africa
7 April 2017
Econet Media’s Kwesé TV has secured the rights for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 to its impressive roster. Just months after it brought NBA,…
Content
BET launches Afridocs across sub-Saharan Africa
7 April 2017
Africa’s documentaries are now available every Thursday on BET from Thursday, 6 April at 21:00. The anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide will screen on Thursday, 13 April with My Neighbour…
Content
Local Series Rates High for Discovery Channel
7 April 2017
Brent Owens: Extreme Authentic & Unwrapped, a 13 x 24 minute series, created and produced by Oxyg3n Media, premiered with a double bill on Discovery Channel (DStv 121) last week,…
Distribution
TRACE introduces SVOD service Trace Play
7 April 2017
TRACE, the youth-focused international media group, has finally launched its hybrid digital service for SVOD, live TV and radio, called Trace Play. The new service will be dedicated to entertainment…
Distribution
Disney Africa concludes major free-tv agreement in South Africa
7 April 2017
In line with its commitment to delivering the most compelling, locally relevant and extensive range of content to consumers and broadcasters around the world, Disney Africa has announced an exclusive…
Distribution
The Wedding Party drives Nollywood to new heights
7 April 2017
The Nigerian Film industry has taken another step towards becoming one of the world’s most important film industry’s, with ‘The Wedding Party’ a Romantic Comedy starring Adesua Etomi & Banky…
Distribution
Mollywood is on the rise
7 April 2017
In Mpumalanga, where the creative arts industry has not exactly boomed yet, local artists have to take extraordinary measures to make their mark in the cut-throat movie business. by Sizwe…
Distribution
Kunene appeals for support towards Namibian film industry
7 April 2017
WINDHOEK – South African veteran actor, Vusi Kunene – famous for playing Jack Mabaso in popular soap opera ‘Generations: The Legacy’ – has called on the Namibian corporate sector to…
Regulation & Policy
SABC viewership plunges to the lowest on record
7 April 2017
The SABCs TV viewership keeps plunging and has now dropped to a disastrous 45% audience share its lowest on record while SABC radio station listenership also nosedived following the badly…
Regulation & Policy
NBC extends debt ultimatum to broadcasters by 3 months
7 April 2017
Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has extended the ultimatum for broadcasting organisations to offset their debt to the regulatory agency, reports CommunicationsWeek. NBC had given the stations until the end of…
Technology & Convergence
Showmax subscribers to get Vodacom data
7 April 2017
From 27 March, Showmax will supply three months of data at no extra charge to new customers who sign up for Showmax through Vodacom. Existing customers who have already signed…
Technology & Convergence
Zambia's TopStar targets national coverage by December
7 April 2017
As part of its digital migration strategy, Zambia's new digital television company TopStar plans to secure signal coverage in all of the Southern African country's ten provinces by December this…
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Opportunities
7 April 2017
Call for submissions: 38th DIFF campaign The Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) is entering its 38th year in 2017 and is looking for a young, inspired new image to represent…
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People
7 April 2017
Terry Pheto makes South Africa proud by scooping this prestigious award. The South African actress took home the award for Best Supporting Actress at the National Film Awards UK for…
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Events
7 April 2017
This event section provides a selection of major events in the audiovisual sector related to Africa and black culture: conferences, seminars, film festivals, trade shows.
