Issue no 31 12 June 2008
Top Story
As competition for audiences becomes more intense, First African Broadcast, Film and Convergence conference seeks to tackle key issues
Africa’s broadcast and film industry will be holding its first get-together in Nairobi in September as the industry enters a period of unprecedented change and growth. Oscar Beauttah, Conference Chairman, and Russell Southwood, Conference Programme Director, provide a preview of the themes to be covered in this exciting three-day industry event. Just under half of the countries in Africa have liberalised their broadcast markets and there has been a considerable growth in the number of new television and radio stations this Century. And when the remaining countries open their markets, broadcasting will experience dramatic growth over the next five years…
Content
Global View Networks partners with SatLink Brazilian Hope Channel to Portuguese-speaking Africa
SatLink Communications announced last week the launch of Brazilian spiritual channel, Hope Channel’s Novo Tempo (Canal de Esperanza TV) in the Portuguese language to Africa. SatLink is partnering with Global…
Content
Uganda/Niger: Sports TV Offers Sh1m for Cranes
Sports TV Uganda, a new free-to-air channel, has boosted the national soccer team with sh1m for their 2010 World Cup qualifier against Niger. Bent Andersen and Jacquelyn Kigozi from Sports…
Content
African slavery series launched as part of Human Bondage Project
In a world first, a drama series, a documentary series and feature films on slavery from the African perspective will be produced as a global initiative over the next five…
Content
Soweto TV gets new live show
Soweto TV presents Kasi Music Television (KMT), a brand new live entertainment show, which will start on Monday 2 June. KMT is a 3 hour music show dedicated to the…
Content
Content In Brief
- Cape Town-based Steps International has been listed in Realscreen’s Global Top 100 Production Companies working in non-fiction. - The South Africa-set film "Do You Believe in Magic?" directed by…
Content
HiTV Secures UEFA Champions League Rights
Nigerian Pay-TV channel HiTV has won the rights to broadcast one of the world’s most lucrative football championships – the UEFA Champions League. The company, which only commenced full commercial…
Content
Côte d'Ivoire: After tough negotiations, LC2 halves cost of rights for Euro 2008
Fraternité Matin carried an article critical of the way in which UEFA sold its rights in Africa through LC2 owned by Lagnidé Christian. Much as happened with the African Cup…
Content
Congo-Kinshasa: Privately Owned Broadcaster Target of Defamation Campaign
Since 24 May 2008, Radio Television Mwangaza (RTM), a privately-owned station broadcasting in Lubumbashi, capital of Katanga province (southeastern DR Congo), has been the target of a slander campaign organised…
Content
Namibia: Community Radio Goes Live At Keetmans
Radio listeners in and around Namibia’s Keetmanshoop will be able to tune into the latest news and views from local communities when Karas Community Radio goes on the air on…
Content
Broadcast In Brief
- CNBC Africa has taken an official stand against xenophobia by donating R250 000 worth of commercial airtime to companies and organizations wishing to place advertising fighting xenophobia or promoting…
Distribution
MultiChoice launches DStv on demand
MultiChoice has launched DStv on Demand pc, which allows subscribers to enjoy selected programming covering a full spectrum for download or online streaming. Comments Richard Fyffe GM: MultiChoice New Media,…
Distribution
DVD piracy kills cinemas in Mauritius
Due to the developments in VCR and DVD piracy, cinema halls find it increasingly difficult to attract viewers. The Mauritian public find it easier and more economical to go for…
Distribution
Distribution In Brief
- Euronews has changed its branding from 4 June 2008 and is seeking to increase its profile with a higher level of media spend in Europe and the Middle East.…
Technology & Convergence
Zimbabwe: ZWTube Improves Online Broadcasting
THE online video channel, ZWTube.com has become one of the best broadcasting platforms online for Zimbabwe. The channel which was launched a month ago now boasts over 200 videos on…
Technology & Convergence
Nigeria: Abia Plans Technology Park
Chief Friday Akatobi, the Abia Commissioner for Science and Technology, said today the state would have a technology park next year. He told newsmen in Umuahia that the park became…
Regulation & Policy
Kenya: Ban Vernacular Radio Stations, Says Ex-President Moi
Retired President Moi has urged the Government to ban vernacular radio stations. Speaking during a prize-giving ceremony at Sunshine Secondary School in Nairobi, Moi said the mushrooming stations were being…
Regulation & Policy
Nigeria: HITV Commends NCC On Piracy War
As the Nigeria Copyrights Commission (NCC) opens a new front in the war against piracy with the recent raiding of Metro-Digital Cable Television, leading Nigerian pay-television platform, HITV, has urged…
Regulation & Policy
Regulation & Policy In Brief
-The MISA-Zimbabwe chapter has filed a complaint with the African Commission for Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) over delays in the finalisation of the Capital Radio case, which is before…
Investment
SABC pleads for cash injection as digitilisation costs threaten new international channel
The SABC wants the government to fund its three-year funding shortfall of R2bn. by Jocelyn Newmarch. The SABC, in a strategy document that was due to be have been presented…
Investment
Nollywood to get new film funding from Crystal Awards
Chairperson of the Nollywood Business Forum, Zeb Ejiro has been speaking on the organization’s role in the Crystal Awards coming up in July. The movie and television producer and director…
Investment
Investment In Brief
- The City of Cape Town says its contribution of R2.5 million towards the Cape Film Commission (CFC) is bearing fruit. According to the latest statistics, the commission’s activities resulted…
More
Technology & Convergence In Brief
- S3 Graphics, a leading provider of graphics and visualization technologies, last week announced its latest S3 Graphics Chrome 440 GTX desktop cards. Boards are now available at online retail…
