Broadcast, Film and Convergence in Africa - Issue no. 306 – 18 January 2019
Top Story
Private competition gathers pace in Cote d’Ivoire with the forthcoming launch of a national Islamic TV station
18 January 2019
Cote d’Ivoire is both opening up its broadcasting space and implementing its digital transition. However, the speed of both developments has been rather slow. Russell Southwood looks at the latest announcement and tries to understand the implications for new growth in the audio-visual sector. In August 2018, the digital transition in broadcast finally got under with the Minister of Communication and Media, Sidi Tiémoko Touré opening a DTT transmission centre in Abobo. More centres will be completed by the end of this year and the switch-off is planned for June 2020. A consortium of three companies from the United States,…
Broadcast
BBC News Africa sending 50 reporters to cover Nigeria's upcoming elections
18 January 2019
As Nigeria prepares to hold elections on 16 February the BBC News plans comprehensive coverage from the West Africa nation for local, African and international audiences, sending 50 reporters to…
Broadcast
Nigeria: FG flags off 1,000 villages satellite TV project
18 January 2019
The Federal Government on Monday flagged-off the 1,000 Villages Satellite Television (TV) Project in Kpaduma village of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji…
Broadcast
Broadcast - In brief
18 January 2019
SABC1 botched the playout of its latest local drama series, Diamond City, on Sunday night, mistakenly showing the final 13th episode instead of the penultimate episode, and is apologising to…
Content - Film
Three South Africans selected to participate at the 17th Berlinale Talents
18 January 2019
From 9 to 14 February 2019, 250 up-and-coming film professionals – 141 women and 109 men – from 77 countries, will gather at Berlinale Talents to share ideas, network, and…
Content - Film
Frank Opperman explores the role of a modern priest in society in a new film
18 January 2019
The decline in church attendance is a global phenomenon. The role of the priest in our rapidly changing world is one of the themes that lies at the heart of…
Content - Film
John Boyega to produce Cape Flats gangster film
18 January 2019
Cape Town – John Boyega will executive produce a film, God is Good, set on the Cape Flats in Cape Town and written and directed by first-time filmmaker Willem Grobler.…
Content - Television
Lionheart is Netflix's First African Film
18 January 2019
For the first time in Netflix history, the streaming service has climbed on board to produce the new Nigerian flick 'Lionheart'. Starring Genevieve Nnaji who takes on the role of…
Content - Television
Showmax to launch new original series ‘The Girl from St. Agnes’
18 January 2019
Showmax has launched the first trailer for The Girl from St. Agnes and it looks like a creepy and fascinating adventure. The series is the second original show from the…
Distribution
UNILAG TV airs on Startimes
18 January 2019
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) is set to launch Nigeria’s first campus television station, UNILAG TV on Tuesday. The station is to air on Startimes digital broadcast Channel 184. A…
Distribution
AYV TV bags broadcast rights for the Vickie Remoe Show in Sierra Leone
18 January 2019
Africa Young Voices (AYVTV), a news and entertainment media company has recently stated that it had acquired broadcasting rights for the Vickie Remoe Show, making AYV TV the authorised broadcast…
Technology & Convergence
DSTV will not operate pay-as-you-view system – Multichoice
18 January 2019
Multichoice announced yesterday that it would not operate the “pay as you view’’ tariff system in Nigeria, in spite of demands. The Chief Customer Officer of Multichoice, Martin Mabutho, made…
Investment
Serious threat escalating of the SABC's content cupboard running bare with no guarantee that South Africa's independent TV producers will be getting paid after February.
18 January 2019
The looming and serious threat of the SABC's TV content cupboard soon going bare in early-2019 is fast escalating as the public broadcaster approaches its own "Day Zero" when it…
Investment
Sub-Saharan Africa to add more than 16 mln pay-TV subscriptions by 2024
18 January 2019
Sub-Saharan Africa is forecast to add more than 16 million pay-TV subscribers between 2018 and 2024, bringing the total to 45.63 million, according to Digital TV Research. Its 'Sub-Saharan Africa…
More
People
18 January 2019
Renowned South African Actor Says His Debt Points to a Larger Crisis Faced By South African Artists Tony Kgoroge recently had his luxury Mercedes Benz repossessed by the bank. Actor…
More
Events
18 January 2019
Reed Exhibitions Africa and ReedPOP announced that the second edition of Comic Con Africa will take place from 21 – 24 September 2019, at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. Due…