Issue no 73 11 February 2010
Top Story
Producing global TV formats in Nigeria and South Africa – working to a different business model
Rapid Blue produces local versions of global TV formats across the African continent. Its two main markets are Nigeria and South Africa and it has production bases in both countries. In addition, it looks to create new opportunities through creating its own shows. Entertainment television in Africa is changing the traditional business model for broadcast. Russell Southwood looks at what it does and what it says about the future of production in discussion with Rapid Blue’s CEO Duncan Irvine. Duncan Irvine originally worked as a contactor for MNet in South Africa doing on-air promotions but in 1993 he was behind…
Broadcast
Nigeria: Silverbird Offers US$32.67 m For Radio, TV Network Licences
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is preparing to draw up Radio and Television Network Licencing Agreement with Silverbird Communications Limited, in readiness for presidential approval.Silverbird Communications has offered N5 billion…
Broadcast
South Africa: ODM loses legal wrangle against Super5Media
The court has ruled that Super5Media’s commercial launch can go ahead. A court interdict was brought against Super5Media, formerly known as Telkom Media, by licensed pay-TV provider On Digital Media…
Broadcast
Botswana: NBB Withdraws Kubara's Licence
Controversial Zimbabwean investor, Oscar Kubara has finally run out of time in his bid to set up a new TV station. The National Broadcasting Board has withdrawn a licence awarded…
Broadcast
Ghana: Community TV station Coastal TV described as a Blessing for Central Region
The Central Regional Minister, Mrs. Ama Benyiwa Doe, has described the official opening of Coastal TV in the Central Region, as a blessing to the people there. "For me, Coastal…
Broadcast
RAMS shows continued drop in radio listening while TV viewing rises.
SAARF's latest RAMS release (February 2010) uses the largest sample to date (25 329) and shows that radio listening has declined in total over the previous year (RAMS Feb 2009) by…
Broadcast
Broadcast In Brief
* South Africa's national football squad Bafana Bafana will become part of broadcasting history when their opening game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is filmed and screened in 3D.…
Content
Kenya: UN Partners with MTV to Dramatize Stories of Love and HIV Infection
The United Nations and MTV are reaching out to young Kenyans to highlight that HIV is not a death sentence though a new three-part television series exploring the lives and…
Content
South Africa: New M-Net show delayed a week
The 13-part original South Africa reality format, Way of the Warrior, will start broadcasting a week later than scheduled on M-Net Action (Channel 106 on DStv), on Monday, 22 February…
Content
South Africa: Channel O launches Goal Diggerz as new sports and entertainment show
Goal Diggerz is the name of Channel O’s exclusive new weekly show which combines sports, music and entertainment. The half-hour series makes its debut on Tuesday, 15 February at 9pm…
Content
South Africa: M-Net acquires new 3-D Babar series
The new 3-D animated television series Babar And The Adventures Of Badoufrom Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana Enterprises has been sold to a number of global broadcasters including M-Net. Sales for the…
Content
Content In Brief
*The growing international recognition and acceptance of the South African film industry is positive news for Gauteng, with all of District 9, part of Invictus as well as award-winner Skin,…
Distribution
Botswana: BTV may be forced to switch off for non-payment of satellite fees
Botswana Television may be blocked from transmitting its signals allegedly for failure to pay rental arrears for use of satellite space. BTV is understood to owe about P25 million accruing…
Distribution
South Africa: Discovery expands its South Africa offering
On 1 March, the Discovery Channel will simultaneously launch Discovery World on DStv and be available for the first time in the general entertainment section of the DStv Electronic Programme…
Distribution
Distribution In Brief
* Ross Video has signed on South African supplier, Concilium Technologies to further develop broadcast sales in the region. The agreement will extend Concilium’s product portfolio offering the Ross Vision…
Investment
Uganda: Vision Group Pays NSSF Sh191 Million Dividend
The Vision Group has paid sh191.3m dividends to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), reaffirming its strong financial performance and share value. Robert Kabushenga, the group chief, said the company's…
Investment
Rwanda: RTV to Benefit From US$0.5 million Japanese Grant
The Japanese government has given Rwanda Television (RTV) a grant of 46.1 million Japanese Yen last week (approx $0.5m). A joint Rwanda-Japan communiqué notes that the grant will be signed…
Investment
Investment In Brief
* Algerie Telecom has launched ‘Safir’, the country’s first IPTV service, equipment supplier Netgem revealed. The service was rolled out across the telco’s fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network in collaboration with Netgem…
Regulation & Policy
Nigeria: Jos - Police Invite PRTVC Boss Over Broadcast
General Manager of the Plateau Radio and Television Corporation (PRTVC) Pastor Yiljap Abraham has been invited to appear before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) "D" Department over an alleged inciting…
Regulation & Policy
Nigeria: Tension in Borno Over Al-Jazeera Boko Haram Video
Borno is tension-soaked after Al-Jazeera released a video showing persons in police uniforms ordering the killings of unarmed civilians in the Boko Haram sectarian crisis. Over 1,000 people were believed…
Regulation & Policy
Regulation & Policy In Brief
* The government is blocking the Forum for Democratic Change from appearing on radio because it wants to keep rural residents in the dark about their current problems, the party's…
Technology & Convergence
South Africa: Soweto Community TV station goes mobile
South Africa’s first full time community TV channel, Soweto Community TV, has launched Q788, which gives consumers access to the latest issues, gossip, downloads, TV show information, community projects or festivals,…
Technology & Convergence
Mozambique: Internet TV Channel Announced
The Mozambican government's "Made in Mozambique" campaign took an ambitious step forward on Friday with the announcement that "Made in Mozambique" will soon launch an Internet television channel. The channel,…
More
Technology & Convergence In Brief
* Mobile content sites SuperSport.mobi and m.24.com rapidly increased their popularity among news- and sport-hungry South Africans during the festive season break leading them to claim the country's top two…
