Issue no 56 12 June 2009
Top Story
Uganda - Tough fight amongst top three broadcasters but digitalisation just over the horizon
Uganda is one of Africa’s most liberalised broadcast markets . It has 9 free-to-air television stations, 190 radio stations and several Pay-TV channels. Neverthless most of the TV market is split between three of the major channels : NTV, WBS and UBC. But with many smaller challengers nipping at their heels, it probably won’t be long before this turns into a four-horse race. And that’s even before the transition to digital channels happens. Russell Southwood looks at how the current major players are likely to fare. In the beginning there was UBC which is the Government incumbent which has been…
Content
Nigeria: Film and Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria hits out at Censorship Board’s new framework
The Nigerian National Film and Video Censors Board’s distribution framework has drawn considerable flak from the industry since it was put in place a year ago. But last week The…
Content
South Africa: SABC Fails to Pay Two Key Foreign Suppliers
The financial crisis at SABC continues to worsen with the news emerging that it had failed to pay two important international suppliers, the BBC and Sony. The Chair of the…
Content
TV5 Monde to launch free children's web TV channel
Francophone TV channel TV5 Monde has announced the launch of a children's web TV channel. The free channel Tivi5Monde Plus, aimed at 3-12 year-olds, will be accessible at www.tivi5mondeplus.com in…
Content
Kenya film producers use You Tube to search for international distribution deals
Dada Productions have just released its first feature film in Kenya - trailer available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUtSw3YGH0I&feature=em It is currently looking to sell and distribute the film "From A Whisper" within…
Content
Content In Brief
- The Angolan Secretary-General of the African Association, Ambassador, Ahmed Haggag, has called for the creation of a TV channel with mandate to report issues concerning the countries of African…
Content
Egypt's al-Azhar to launch Islamic TV channel
Egypt's seat of Islamic learning, al-Azhar, will launch a satellite channel to give the world a better understanding of Islam and counter some Islamic outlets preaching "extremist dialogue", its architects…
Content
Rwanda: BBC and Government Reach New Agreement
BBC has agreed to take rigorous checks in the editorial line of their Kinyarwanda programme commonly known as Gahuzamiryango to meet the standards of the Rwandan government, before it is…
Content
Uganda: Vision Voice 94.8 Starts Hard-Hitting Show
Fair and Square, an informative, provocative and entertaining talk show on Vision Voice 94.8 FM started last week. The programme's maiden show ran from 9:00am to 11:00am, according to its…
Content
Namibia: Opposition DTA accuses public broadcaster of unfair treatment
The DTA is accusing the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation of "unfair treatment and poor journalism ethics" because of its coverage of opposition parties. In an open letter addressed to Matthew Gowaseb,…
Content
Broadcast In Brief:
- The Director of Somalia’s Uniersal TV Ibrahim Mohamed Ali was kidnapped last week in Mogadishu by armed men. The kidnapping was condemned by the National Union of Somali Journalists…
Distribution
Satellite : RRSat expands access to Africa via Telstar 11N
RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd , a provider of content management and global distribution services to the television and radio broadcasting industries, announced last week that it has started operating…
Distribution
HiTV’s reality show goes international through deal with French IPTV operator.
When Koko Mansion, a television reality show facilitated by HiTV Nigeria, finally begins, viewers in France and Nigeria’s next door neighbour, Ghana as well as other African countries, will have…
Distribution
Distribution In Brief:
- One of the leaders in specialised distribution in Africa and French Overseas territories, CFAO is taking part in the launch of the spectacular movie Home, on 5 June, World…
Technology & Convergence
BBC World News goes live on iPhone
BBC World News is the BBC's international news and current affairs television channel. iPhone/iPod Touch can now enjoy it with this official BBC app. Programs are broadcasted 24 hours a…
Technology & Convergence
France24 news channel free on iphone: 100,000 downloads the 1st month and success in South Africa
http://iphone.france24.com/en/news The channel reported 100,000 France 24 iphone apps' downloads the first month after its launch. Of all the free news applications available on iTunes, France 24 Live ranks among…
Regulation & Policy
African Broadcast and ICT players need updated regulatory framework to boost local Media Economy
Start of June 2009, Sylvain Béletre, associate editor at Balancing Act interviewed international law firm Gide Loyrette Nouel for African "Broadcast, Film and Convergence" new update. International lawyers Olivier Cousi (partner, OC…
Regulation & Policy
Nigeria: Yar'Adua Tasks Media On Balanced Reporting
President Umaru Yar'Adua on Wednesday in Abuja urged the mass media to take a more balanced view of political developments in the country. The President gave the charge at the…
Regulation & Policy
Regulation & Policy In Brief:
- Five individuals, two of whom hold managerial positions at Addis Broadcasting Company (ABC), a private company involved in media business, were brought before Arada Criminal Bench last Friday May…
Investment
SES Astra JV sees North African satellite TV demand rising
A Middle East joint venture with SES Astra, a unit of European satellite operator SES, said it expects to generate revenues in its third year on growing regional demand for…
Investment
Setanta Africa under threat as parent company looks set to go into administration
According to Reuters on 8 June, the board of Irish sports broadcaster Setanta was due to meet on Monday, a person familiar with the situation said, following media reports the…
Investment
Investment In Brief:
avi.krainer@gmail.comhttp://www.tv4africa.com/ - South African produced hit movie White Wedding was been pirated within a month of its release. Illegal copies of the film, released on April 29, have for the…
More
Technology & Convergence In Brief
- MTN Ghana has launched a DVB-H mobile TV service in partnership with pay-TV broadcaster DSTV, according to reports. Eleven channels are available including Africa Magic, Super Sport, Cartoon Network,…
