Issue no 8 11 July 2007
Top Story
New African-owned UK and US TV channels target diaspora Africans with IP-TV
Two new African content channels – one in the USA and the other in the UK - are fighting hard to get the attention of Africa’s diaspora populations. Early results from both seem to show a significant preference for IP-TV as a delivery mechanism, particularly amongst younger users. Although user figures are modest, both companies are looking at global rather than territory rights, thus breaking down more traditional industry approaches by using IP-TV. All this is good news for Africa’s film and TV industries as the payments being made for global rights should be a significant additional financial shot-in-the-arm for…
Content
Africa: MTV INTERNATIONAL’S STAYING ALIVE BRINGS 48FEST FILM COMPETITION TO AFRICA
Staying Alive, MTV International’s ongoing HIV and AIDS prevention campaign, and African music channel, MTV base, are joining forces to bring its thought-provoking film competition 48fest to Kenya for the…
Content
Namibia: First Namibian Soapie to Be Made
Optimedia, a local film company, has been selected by the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) through its television commissioning system for the production of a local 26-part soapie, Art/Life has exclusively…
Content
South Africa: SABC Pulls Plug On in-House Production of Award-Winning Programme 50/50
The SABC has pulled the plug on in-house production of its award-winning environmental programme 50/50, the longest running local programme in SA's television history. Without warning, all six permanent 50/50…
Content
South Africa: Community TV Starts to Carve Out Its Space in SA
The launch of Soweto Community Television this week (see story below) was an important step forward for South African media. But is it sustainable? The problem always with community media…
Content
Uganda: Pay TVs Rush to Tie Down Subscribers
The public is excited. And the buzz suggests that a new pay television service in Uganda will change the face of television. Ugandans, on June 29, received maiden broadcast from…
Content
East Africa: GTV Launches Expand to Region
GTV a pan African pay Television has set up its African office in Kenya that will serve as the hub for the whole of the continent via satellite transmission to…
Content
Liberia: Labour Ministry Launches Radio Program
The Ministry of Labor has launched an educative radio program on the state-owned Liberia broadcasting system airwave. According to J. Kortu Nyandibo, Acting Director of Public Affairs, the program "Labor…
Content
South Africa: Soweto TV is Ready for Sunday's Launch
Community television station SowetoTV will begin broadcasting as the country's first fully-fledged TV station dedicated to one area on Sunday evening. The Independent Communication Authority of SA (Icasa) issued SowetoTV…
Content
Uganda: New Vision Starts TV, Radio in October
Vision Group is to launch a free-to-air television station and an FM radio for Kampala around October this year. Chief Executive Officer Robert Kabushenga said the group will also start…
Content
Liberia: LMC, RNTC to Build Up Six Community Radios
Six community radio stations in Liberia have been selected by the Liberia Media Center (LMC) and the Radio Netherlands Training Center (RNTC) to kick start the first phase of a…
Distribution
Kenya: Lola Kenya Screen
Lola Kenya Screen is an audiovisual media movement that seeks to place audiovisual media production tools in the hands of children and youth for the advancement of literacy, gender equity,…
Distribution
South Africa: Is Supersport Soccer Deal Under Threat?
The enthusiasm and joy that followed the signing of a multibillion rand soccer deal between the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and SuperSport seems to be fading away, as the SABC…
Technology & Convergence
Africa: EUTELSAT W3A SATELLITE SELECTED BY GATEWAY BROADCAST SERVICES FOR NEW AFRICAN PAY-TV PLATFORM
Eutelsat Communications last week announced the conclusion of a five-year contract for capacity on its W3A satellite with Gateway Broadcast Services, which is preparing to launch an innovative new pay-TV…
Technology & Convergence
South Africa: Mixed Response to DSTV Deaf Plan
Multichoice's decision to cater for deaf people by including subtitles in its bouquet, announced last week, has received mixed reactions from deaf personalities who are concerned that its reach will…
Regulation & Policy
Nigeria: Government Demolishes Broadcaster's Offices, Allegedly in Retaliation for Critical Election Coverage
Nigeria's leading independent broadcast network says it will take the government to court next week after authorities demolished three new station facilities in the capital, Abuja. African Independent Television (AIT)…
Regulation & Policy
Congo: Journalist Detained and Her Camera Seized While Covering Ceremonies Marking Anniversary of National Independence
RSF has protested the attacks on journalists by the Congolese security services during ceremonies on 30 June 2007 marking the 47th anniversary of the country's independence. "This type of incident…
Investment
Namibia: Edutainment Business Pact Signed
The Win-Win-Group, Namibia's first Marketing, Communication and Learning Consultancy, is pleased to announce that, as part of their vision to change the hearts and minds of Namibians, a smart-partnership agreement…
Investment
Kenya: Standard, SABC in Joint Venture
The Standard Group Limited has entered into negotiations with a leading African media company, South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), for a strategic partnership. On Friday, SABC Managing Director Dr Snuki…
More
Sierra Leone: SLPP Aspirant Threatens to Close Down Radio Station
Hon. Ansu Kaikai of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) Friday allegedly threatened to shut down Radio Wanjei in Pujehun and have its Station Manager arrested if he allowed…
More
Somalia: Govt Soldiers Storm Shabelle Radio for the Second Time Today
Heavily armed government soldiers stormed the center of the Shabelle Media Network, a local radio based in Mogadishu for the second time today alone, arresting one of the Radio's security…
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Africa: ALEX OKOSI NAMED SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & MANAGING DIRECTOR, MTV NETWORKS AFRICA
Alex Okosi, formerly Vice President & General Manager, MTV Networks Africa, has been promoted to the new role of Senior Vice President & Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa. The appointment…
More
Call for Entries - Tiburon International Film Festival
The 7th Annual Tiburon International Film Festival (TIFF) will be held March 13-21, 2008 in Tiburon, California, a showcase for the independent films and filmmakers from around the world. Submissions…
