Broadcast, Film and Convergence in Africa - Issue no. 317 – 18 June 2019
Top Story
African public broadcasters facing a financial crunch – different circumstances and common threads but a worrying trend
18 June 2019
Two African public broadcasters (SABC and KBC) are in the depths of a financial crisis, a third (ZBC) has just taken on large financial loan and a fourth (UBC) is beginning to emerge from its crisis. Russell Southwood looks at the differences and the common threads and asks will others hit a rocky road soon. There are four of Africa’s Sub-Saharan broadcasters that are either in financial crisis or may be so in the future: SABC board chair Bongumusa Makhathini told South Africa’s Sunday Times last week that it was “drowning in debt” and might not be able to pay…
Broadcast
HBO's sister network Cinemax picks up M-Net's new local drama series
18 June 2019
Cape Town – M-Net has partnered with global broadcasters to bring the television adaptation of Deon Meyer's crime novel, Trackers, to the world. M-Net sealed a groundbreaking collaboration deal with…
Broadcast
Kenya: KBC Investigated Over Alleged Fraudulent Deals With MultiChoice And GoTV -Reports
18 June 2019
Kenya’s National Assembly has recently launched investigations into suspected fraudulent activity in the multi-billion-shilling business collaborations between Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), GoTV Kenya Limited and MultiChoice Africa Limited. The investigation…
Content - Film
Liberia: Knock Knock Liberia Launches 2nd Edition of KD International Film Festival
18 June 2019
Liberia’s International award-winning actress, Korto Davis launched the 2nd edition of the KD International Film Festival at a news conference in Monrovia on June 13, 2019 Monrovia – Entertainment Company…
Content - Film
SA's 'Canary' spreads its wings to the USA
18 June 2019
Based on a true story, the film is set in 1985 South Africa at the height of Apartheid, which serves as the backdrop for an untold love story and a…
Content - Film
Durban FilmMart announces project selection
18 June 2019
The project selection for the 10th Durban Filmmart 2019 edition has been announced. THE Durban FilmMart (DFM), which celebrates its 10th edition this year from 19 to 22 July during…
Content - Film
West and Central Africa: New Amnesty International film documents the courage of human rights defenders
18 June 2019
Two years after the launch of its Brave Campaign, Amnesty International is launching a film documenting the courage of human rights defenders in West and Central Africa. The film “Brave:…
Content - Film
Encounters: What to watch at the 2019 South African Documentary Film Festival
18 June 2019
The 2019 Encounters South African International Documentary Festival – which runs until 16 June – has a superb line-up for this year's event. The Encounters South African Documentary Festival –…
Content - Television
Netflix starts production on first African Original, Queen Sono
18 June 2019
Netflix, the world's leading internet entertainment service, has started production on its first original African series, Queen Sono, an action-packed spy thriller produced by Johannesburg-based Diprente. Pearl Thusi stars in…
Content - Television
SuperSport Rolls Out Olympic Channel On Digital Platforms
18 June 2019
As the world counts down to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, SuperSport has launched the Olympic Channel content on its digital platforms to further engage audiences on the Olympic Movement…
Content - Television
Annecy Selects Africa as Spotlight Territory in 2020
18 June 2019
The Annecy Intl. Animation Film Festival and its Mifa market have selected Africa as the spotlight territory for their 2020 edition, it was announced on Wednesday. In parallel with the…
Content - Television
Disney Cookabout is served! - Award-winning series set to deliver another gastronomic adventure-filled season this July
18 June 2019
Disney Africa has wrapped production of the third season of DisneyCookabout. The award-winning, comedic adventure game show series, that uses cooking and food preparation to create a fun-filled approach to…
Content - Television
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation to air AFCON live matches
18 June 2019
During the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) will broadcast all 52 matches live. The kick-off will begin on June 21, in Cairo, Egypt. Many Kenyans…
Content - Television
StarTimes To Bring 2019 African Freestyle Football Championships To 20 Million Viewers
18 June 2019
StarTimes, the official media partner of the 2019 African Freestyle Football Championships, has announced that it will transmit the competition to more than 20 million viewers. The Public Relation Manager…
Content - Television
Botswana Television to air AFCON matches
18 June 2019
The national television broadcaster, Botswana Television (Btv) is in the process of seizing broadcast rights for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, which begins in Cairo, Egypt next Friday. The…
Content - Television
Viacom Set to Launch NickX eSports Platform Emerge Gaming provides technology
18 June 2019
Viacom is getting into business with Emerge Gaming, which will develop an eSports tournament platform for kids using Nickelodeon gaming content called NickX. NickX, scheduled for launch in July in…
Content - Television
TAC Studios Co-Produces Four New Series across Africa
18 June 2019
TAC Studios, the production arm of US-based The Africa Channel, announced four new series being produced in Africa for the global marketplace. Building on its commitment to invest in talent…
Distribution
Afrotainment Signs Agreement with NCTC to Make AFRO Available to NCTC Member Companies
18 June 2019
NEW YORK – Afrotainment announced today that they have completed a multi-year agreement with the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC) that will permit NCTC’s members to distribute AFRO. NCTC represents…
Distribution
M-Net partners with Cinemax to bring new local drama series worldwide
18 June 2019
M-Net has collaborated with global broadcasters to offer the television version of Deon Meyer’s crime novel, Trackers, to the world. M-Net seized a partnership deal with ‘Germany’s public broadcaster ZDF.…
Technology & Convergence
Mobile VIU-ing: Introducing South Africa’s newest streaming platform, Viu
18 June 2019
From both a national and global perspective, all industry predictions about 2019 highlighted expected growth in the video on demand (VOD), streaming and mobile viewing verticals. It should be no…
Technology & Convergence
Genesis Cinemas to Transform the Theatrical Landscape in Africa by Introducing ScreenX for the First Time
18 June 2019
Total of Six ScreenX Auditoriums to Open in Nigeria Starting 2019 CJ 4DPLEX (www.cj4dx.com), the world's leading cinema technology company, announced today the signing of a new partnership with Genesis…
Technology & Convergence
Canal+ International to launch Canal+ University in Africa
18 June 2019
Canal + International launches Canal + University to provide professional training to audiovisual actors in Africa. This initiative aims to encourage the transfer of skills on the African continent in…
Regulation & Policy
Competition Commission Supports ICASA’s Plans To Open Up SA's Pay-TV Market
18 June 2019
South Africa’s Competition Commission has come out in full support of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)’s plans to introduce various changes to open up the country’s pay-TV…
Regulation & Policy
Zap compensates customers for unauthorised rates by offering higher specification services
18 June 2019
Angolan pay-TV operator Zap is offering customers of its Mini and Max packages a higher package than the one requested, as compensation for charging them from 26 February to 31…
Investment
Africa's MultiChoice Group Reportedly Expects To Suffer Headline Loss
18 June 2019
MultiChoice Group, Africa's largest pay-TV company, has confirmed that it expects to suffer a headline loss this year, due to foreign exchange losses in its South African business, among other…
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Opportunities
18 June 2019
Pan African Online Film Festival empowers development of local film and culture across Africa Since StarTimes ON announced its Pan Africa Online Film Festival (PAOFF) in Lagos, with several awards…
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Events
18 June 2019
Announcing Official DFM 2019 Project Selection for the 10th Durban FilmMart . Durban, South Africa: The Durban FilmMart, which celebrates its 10th edition this year from 19 to 22 July,…
