Issue no 30 29 May 2008
Top Story
TV programme rights “lockdown” – lack of competition stifles growth
Every African TV station relies on buying international programme rights to bring in subscribers and advertisers. Until recently Africa has been a small and largely stagnant rights market. But with increasing competition, the issue of access to international rights is proving a barrier to greater competition. Russell Southwood scratches below the surface to find out what’s actually going on. Once there was just state-owned TV stations and then liberalisation added new Free-To-Air channels. Last year the Pay-TV market began to grow with new entrants delivering content by satellite and IP-TV and more will follow. In the olden days, the limited…
Content
GTV’s Botswana GM promises more goodies
The General Manager of GTV Botswana, says his company is committed to broadening their channel offerings to meet their subscribers needs. Michael Essig said during a media lunch last Friday…
Content
Third Lola Kenya Screen festival attracts 300 films
Forty-five countries have submitted 300 films in total for the 3rd annual Lola Kenya Screen, eastern Africa's premier audiovisual media platform exclusively designed for children, youth and family. Film made…
Content
Nigeria: Kano court to rule on whether to overturn ban on 'Hafsah'
A high court in Kano last week set aside Friday, June 13, 2008 for a verdict on a case standing trial between the state government on one hand and the…
Content
Uganda: No Country for Filmmakers
Evelyn Cindy Magara knows all too well the hurdles that face a filmmaker in Uganda. Fresh from Makerere University with a degree in filmmaking, she went against all odds and…
Content
Content In Brief
- South African public broadcaster SABC will be embarking on a number of road shows to raise awareness for its radio stations and TV channels, by holding a star-studded celebrity…
Content
M-Net co-develops Disney reality show
In a world first, South African pay-TV broadcaster M-Net is co-developing a reality format based on The Disney Channel’s phenomenally successful television movie franchise, High School Musical. On air as…
Content
Nigeria: Nigeria Football Association and DAAR in US$2.1 M rights deal
DAAR Communication, owners of AIT and Ray Power Radio signed a N250 million (US$2.1 million) rights deal with the Nigeria Football Association. The Association’s Ojo Oba said the current board…
Content
African Broadcasting Union signs agreement with Octagon-African Broadcast Network for African Olympic rights
The African Union of Broadcasting (AUB) has concluded an agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to acquire the free-to-air broadcast rights for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. The broadcast…
Content
Sierra Leone: SLPP Radio for Kenema
Regional chairman of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) Saturday disclosed plans to establish the party's radio station in Kenema, which will serve the entire eastern region and beyond. He…
Content
Broadcast In Brief
- Public broadcasters in Uganda have been urged to emphasise professionalism, invest in improved technology and strengthen regional partnerships to compete with the private Sector. Information Minister Kirunda Kivejinja made…
Distribution
Third screen for Township TV
In partnership with Johannesburg City Parks and DStv, Township TV has been switched on in Diepkloof, Soweto, bringing the number of live parks to three. Diepsloot was launched in December…
Distribution
Massiv TV acquires fleet of cabs
South Africa’s Massiv TV, the TV channel which broadcasts remotely directly into taxis, has taken over Cab TV Multimedia Solutions, it was announced earlier this week. This platform, comprising 100…
Distribution
Distribution In Brief
- In what is planned to be the biggest national marketing drive for the South African commercials production sector to date, the Cape Film Commission (CFC) is spearheading an initiative…
Technology & Convergence
Nigeria: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Gets Internet Version
Subscribers to the MTN network can now participate in the popular TV reality game show, Who Wants to be a Millionaire? through the internet. Speaking at the launch of the…
Technology & Convergence
Internet provides unofficial real-time feed of war crimes trial of former Liberian President
Liberians and Sierra Leoneans are taking a close interest in the trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor through a mixture of radio programmes and blogs, writes Shelby Grossman from…
Regulation & Policy
Arab Satellite TV channels invited to react to controls on their operations by Arab League
Last Wednesday the Arab League on Wednesday called on Arab Satellite TV channels to pronounce on the satellite broadcasting regulation mechanisms in the Arab region. The Arab League invited the…
Regulation & Policy
Sierra Leone: SLBS Refutes Claim Unity Radio Station's Antenna Improperly Installed
On 14 May 2008, Reporters Without Borders wrote to information and communication minister Alhaji Ibrahim Ben Kargbo asking him to explain his 8 May decision to close Unity Radio 94.00…
Regulation & Policy
Regulation & Policy In Brief
- Two journalists of the Cameroon Radio and Television, CRTV, were arrested, tortured and humiliated at the Gendarmerie Brigade in the Madagascar neighborhood in Yaounde on May, 18. - On…
Investment
Nigeria: NASS Budgets N850 million for TV/Radio Stations
An estimated sum of N850 million (US$7.3 million) has been allocated by the National Assembly in its 2008 budget for state radio and television stations. It was also disclosed that…
Investment
Telkom Media shareholding in limbo but announcement may come on 9 June
South African pay-TV licensee Telkom Media is still awaiting clarity on its shareholding structure, ever since its 66% shareholder, telecoms operator Telkom, announced its intention to either reduce its shares…
Investment
Investment In Brief
- The Kenya Film Commission says it is due to sign a KS1.2 billion deal with studios including Universal Pictures, Warner Bothers and Columbia Pictures to make Kenya one of…
More
Technology & Convergence In Brief
- Wunderman Kenya, a direct and digital marketing agency division of Ayton Young and Rubicam (AY&R) Group has signed an advertising deal with Google that will see the company place…
