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| Broadcasting
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Entertainment |
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How
Africa Channel Reached 2 million Households |
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two founders of the Africa Channel wanted to “showcase
the beauty and promise of Africa” to audiences
outside Africa. So they put together a channel that
took African material and framed and packaged it
in a way that American audiences were used to. It's
not a channel aimed at African Diaspora audiences
but one aimed squarely at the general viewer. RUSSELL
SOUTHWOOD talks to its President Jacob Arback.... |
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How
did the company get started?
We started in January 2003 but my business
partner James Makawa who's from Zimbabwe
started even earlier.
We wanted to showcase the beauty and promise
of Africa to audiences. All people tend
to see is the horror and the despair. Because
these things have become entrenched in peoples'
perceptions, we wanted to change the images
in order to create the full palette. We
wanted to be able to tell the good as well
as the difficult stuff. We also wanted to
take the fear away and let people have a
little fun with Africa.
We wanted Africans to be able to speak in
their own voices to tell their stories to
Americans (and others) in their own living
rooms.
We also knew that there was tremendous directing,
producing,
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writing and acting talent that we could get started
with. We knew we could frame and package it at
a pace and rhythm that American audiences were
used to.
Who do you see as the audience for the
channel? Is it an African Diaspora audience?
In the past, I worked on Arab stations wanting
to come to the USA. So we thought about Africans
wanting to see the channel. But early on it was
clear that everyone wanted to see it. So we get
general audiences and we're a general entertainment
network with talent searches, lifestyle programmes,
films, soaps and everything you'd expect on that
type of channel.
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So
we see our audience in three major segments:
the type of people who watch the Discovery
and National Geographic channels, African-Americans
and Africans resident in the USA.
There are 37 million African-Americans but
they are a very diverse group and their
heritage is not just defined by slavery.
They have a rich and wonderful history.
There are 5-10 million Africans resident
in America and they are dying to see content
displayed with respect and integrity. We
are also on BSkyB in the UK.
In the USA, all the major cable companies
liked it and there was not much competition.
(Nigeria's) AIT was here for a while and
there's the Somali Network. In New York,
we can be found between a travel channel
and Animal Planet and that's how we like
to see it.
We're attracting a wide range of people.
We're not here to compete .
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with
BET. We're the African in African-American We're
in 12 million households in the USA, UK and Caribbean.
Three million of those households are in the USA
and that will rise to 4-5 million by mid-year.
When satellite services came to the USA, we saw
a dramatic increase in subscribers and we're getting
a tremendous response from US regional cities
we're landing in.
What's the business model?
We're bundled on a digital tier at no extra charge,
except for the US$4-5 to get digital. The model
is advertising and license fee supported. The
cable companies pay for the programming and we
sell advertising.
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So,
one example is if the Government of Rwanda
wants to rebrand the country. The Ministry
of Tourism may want to wrap that message
around lifestyle content and we're talking
to them about that in the long-term.
When will you come into profit?
Typically cable channels take 5-7
years before breaking even.
Will you sell the channel or content from
it back into the continent?
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Our
strategy which we've already started is to develop
African production capacity. 95% of what we show
is African-produced and directed. We don't take
crews and fly in and in the mid to long-term we'll
commission with local crews. We run 24 hours a
day; 7 days a week and we need high quality material
with good quality sound. Terrific programming
is already being produced but we just need more
of it. We hope to raise the quality threshold
but keep the popular attitude.
Soap operas are enormous for us and we've bought
Generations and Isidingo from SABC. Jacob's Cross
is a dramatic series with a storyline that splits
between Nigeria and South Africa and it has been
a huge hit here. People love the music and we
produce our own music blocks using local DJs.
We've shown Big Brother Africa which went to two
different countries with contestants from 12 different
tribes. It's electrifying when you see it in the
West.
HD is the future of the Africa Channel and we're
going to be ahead of the wave. We would hope that
this will accelerate more.
But to answer your question, yes we would like
to come back into the continent some day…however,
there are rights issues. We want to work with
the programming suppliers, not against them. We're
currently 80% distributed content and 20% licensed
and we'd like that to be 50:50 in a year's time
and 80% HD in two years time. There's never been
so much African content outside the continent
in one place.
Who are your shareholders?
We are individually and privately held. The shareholders
include Ambassador Andrew Young and Congolese
NBA player Dikembe Mutambo. We produced a documentary
on the hospital that he built.
The hardest thing has been to get the four cable
giants who control 50% of the market to take the
channel. That was a heavy gate but we're now through
it.
How did you convince them?
We went into small towns across America, to their
different markets. In each one we found things
like Ladysmith Black Mambazo concerts or performances
of the Lion King. There were all these African
reference points around them.
In a world of cloned channels, a fresh, authentic
story for viewers is very important. We have very
loyal viewers now so it's good for everybody.
What's the background of the three founders?
Myself I was part of the launch team for DirecTV
in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Central Europe.
After that, I was President of Business Research
International which advised Fortune 500 companies
in the international pay television, broadcasting
and satellite businesses.
James Makawa worked as a local news reporter and
anchor with leading local stations before joining
NBC News as a correspondent in New York and Chicago.
He returned to South Africa and co-founded the
African Barter Company (ABC), in partnership with
Grey Advertising Worldwide. ABC was the first
barter syndication company ever launched in Africa.
Richard Hammer was part of the team that launched
the pan-African television network, the African
Broadcast Network (ABN) in South Africa. He has
also spent significant time in Tanzania, serving
as a consultant to the East African television
station ITV. Domestically, Hammer served as vice
president, advertising, promotion and publicity
at both WFLD-TV/Chicago and WOR -TV/ New York.
Culled from afridigital.com
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| The
Agency Now On M-Net |
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From
billboard brilliance to boardroom battles,
it's all out drama as the hot new Kenyan series
The Agency debuts on M-Net.
Set in the fast-paced, demanding world of
advertising, featuring a stellar cast including
veteran star David Mulwa and rising star Neewa
Mawiyoo, The Agency is must-see local drama,
filmed in Nairobi.
M-Net's first ever drama series created in
Kenya, The Agency is an explosive 13-part
series from producers Peter and Paul Oyier
of Sterling Quality Productions and directed
by Ekwa Msangi-Omari; and the programme will
be aired every Saturday at 5:00pm. |
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According
to information from Segun Fayose of the Corporate
communications and Public Affairs department of
MultiChoice Nigeria, The Agency tells the story
of ambitious Malaika Modu (played by Neema Mawiyoo)
who is the newcomer to the illustrious Kenrob
agency where she's hoping to carve out a successful
and glittering career to support her family.
But as the story unfolds, it's soon clear that
Kenrob is not what it appears to be!
The owner Mr. Mukulu (David Mulwa) has a hidden
agenda, while new Managing Director Zoe Wandera
(Faith Gichuhi) is making tough choices and unpopular
changes to keep Kenrob at the top of its game.
Meanwhile the company's long-time Creative Director
Winston Kinyang'weu (Eddie Kimani) is pitted in
a fierce battle with Zoe as he tries to undermine
her authority and see her fail, even if it means
using newcomer Malaika to do it.
With Malaika trying to make her mark and impress
her new colleagues, she finds herself paired with
the owner's son Robbie (Joed Kariuki), who's better
known for spending his father's fortune than building
it.
Added to the mix, Winston's
wife Alexia (Maria Von Weissenberg) has her own
fears while street-smart taxi boss Drogba (Rodgers
Otieno) is intent on pursuing a relationship with
Malaika.
As secret plans and new alliances swirl around
him, company accountant Satish (Feisal Malik)
finds himself balancing the books, trying to ensure
that costs don't lead to chaos!
Rivalry, romance, intrigue, betrayal and triumph
all combine in an explosive series where professional
lives and personal drama collide.
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| MNet
Launches ‘Let's Dance’ |
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Mnet,
MultiChoice Nigeria's premium content providers,
has launched a new reality television tagged
“Let's Dance,” as part of efforts
to develop more local content for the DStv
bouquet.
The move is also intended to help discover
and nurture more Nigerian talents with potential
to do the country and the continent proud
in the promotion of Africa's rich cultural
heritage. Let's Dance reality series, which
has over 16 episodes and a total of US$80,000
up for grabs, will be screened on MNet West
Channel 102 on DStv every Sunday at 8.00pm
local time.
In her welcome address at the launch, which
held at Jade Palace, Victoria Island, Lagos
recently, Ms. Biola Adekanbi, MNet's Director
of Operations for Sub-Sahara Africa, said,
“Let's Dance will be very exciting,”
adding that, “MNet is currently conducting
auditions in 4 Nigerian cities: Lagos, Abuja,
Port-Harcourt and Benin to select 48 extraordinary
dance couples.
“The number will be pruned to 12 couples
before being eliminated, one by one every
week, by viewers' votes. The best dancing
couple will go home with a grand prize of
US$50,000. First runner-up couple will go
home with US$20,000 while the second runner-up
couple will collect US$10,000.”
Adekanbi added that competing couples will
dance to various music genres ranging from
salsa to rumba, to stomp and to a variety
of Nigerian dances. She further added, “Every
week throughout the duration of the show,
a couple will be kept in the show or eliminated
strictly by viewers' votes. As the competition
progresses and the number of competing couples
reduce, challenges for the couples will
increase, as they will be exposed to more
rigorous dance routines to determine the
very best among them.”
Segun Fayose, Public Relations Executive,
MultiChoice Nigeria noted, “The dance
reality series is designed to celebrate
Nigeria's dance culture. Nigeria is a country
where music and dance form part of communal
living.”
He urged DStv subscribers to enjoy the thrill
and excitement of the fancy footwork that
will be on display, vote for their favourites
and watch out for the duo who will emerge
as the Ultimate Dancing Couple. |
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| SuperSports
Commends Anazodo and Amokachi |
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SuperSport,
the leading sport broadcaster and content
provider on the African continent has passed
a vote of confidence on the duo of Charles
Anazodo and Daniel Amokachi for the high-level
presentation and analytical skills put into
the coverage of the Italian Serie A on the
DStv bouquet
The commendation came from Gary Rathbone,
the channel's operations director for sub-Saharan
Africa and Felix Awogu, GM for the company
in Nigeria |
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| According
to Gary Rathbone, when the channel decided last
year to set up a state-of-the-art studio in Nigeria
to promote soccer development and bring the channel
closer to soccer lovers, it was considered key
to localize the presentation team because of the
country's reputation as a hub for soccer development.
A few months down the line, Rathbone says that
the duo of Charles Anazodo a popular TV personality
and Daniel “the Bull” Amokachi, ex
International, have surpassed the channels expectations
with their analytical skills and unique presentation
styles backed with deep insight on Italian football.
“I particularly, like their combination
and the local flair they bring into the studio;
plus, the feedback from our subscribers has been
very positive. It is for this reason that we decided
last year not to engage any other presenter or
analyst and that position still stands,”
he said
“We have no intentions of increasing the
core presentation team of the Italian Serie A
at this stage because we believe it will dilute
the presentation style.” He denied newspapers
reports that the channel is set to employ the
services of another presenter/analyst in the country.
“I am not aware of any such plans and I
don't think there is any because if there is,
I should know.”
While also denying that the company has offered
to engage the services of another sports analyst
in the country, the general Manager of SuperSport
Nigeria, Felix Awogu, said that his company is
set to consolidate on its investment initiatives
in the country.
“Since we built our studio and brought in
outside broadcasting vans (OB Vans) for live and
comprehensive coverage of our local league, we
have noticed a renewed interest and believe in
the Nigerian local league.” he said, while
stressing that Nigerian Premier Football league
is set for greater heights.
“We are determined to make the Nigerian
league one of the most popular on the continent
and this vision is not misplaced because Nigerian
footballers have continued to hold their own in
Europe and anywhere they find themselves”
he posited.
“Our strength in SuperSport lies in our
ability to acquire the best contents in the world
and assemble the right crop of professionals to
deliver the message with the flair that is unmatched
anywhere else on the continent.” he concluded.
It would be recalled that in August 2008, SuperSport
announced that it had secured the rights for the
live coverage of major league matches from the
popular Italian Serie A and followed the announcement
with a promise to use local presenters for the
show.
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| New
Horizons Storm Abuja For 2009 Infotainment |
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In July 2008, New Horizons Systems Solutions
Limited organized a musical event in Lagos tagged
Infotainment to educate Nigerian Youths on the
benefits of Information Communication Technology
(ICT) and at the same time get entertained.
The event was held at the Bamora Hall, Oregun
Lagos with about 2,000 excited and energetic
youthful guests in attendance. The atmosphere
was turbo-charged and bubbling with life as
rave of the moment and popular hip-hop artist
9ce thrilled the audience with some of his songs.
Organizers of the event, New Horizons said “the
aim of the programme was to bring together youths
with a view to empowering them with ICT skills
through free scholarships. The occasion also
featured Cool FM's Ace presenter and one of
the three judges at the Idols Africa Auditions,
Dan Foster.
And now, New Horizons Systems Solutions is taking
the programme to Abuja, in the Nation's capital
city to announce her arrival in that part of
the country.
The musical jamboree cum information technology
concert holds at the Veledrome Centre, Abuja
National Stadium from 4:00p.m., non-African
time on February 20, 2009, and is expected to
have all the glitz, glamour and quality entertainment
synonymous with Musical Rave of the moment X-Project.
The event will feature a one-of-a-kind performance
by the host of the day and multi-talented radio
presenter Steve Onu a.k.a. YAWS of WAZOBIA FM.
The programme is expected to attract more than
10, 000 young Nigerians from across the country
and will give these teeming youths the much
needed information that will help them take
the right steps towards self fulfillment and
actualize their dreams.
Major highlight of the event will be the award
of 500 tuition free scholarships to first to
register candidates. Other events at the programme
will be delivery of various topics one of which
is “The Seven IT Skills of Fortune”.
According to the Managing Director/CEO of the
company, Tim Akano, “Our goal, each year,
is to surprise ourselves and others by the creativity,
distinctiveness, and reach of those we identify
and support, in this case the Nigerian Youths
and the young at heart in general and our Century
Nigeria project.”
New Horizons is the world's No. 1 ICT Training
Institution and has unrivalled expertise in
providing ICT training to students in universities,
Retail business and in the Corporate world.
The company has over 26 years experience with
presence in over 60 countries of the world and
on 6 continents.
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