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Mauritius – Fierce competition between radio stations but only state television

With a population of 1.2 million, Mauritius is a relatively small media market. It has fierce competition in the radio field but only the state-owned MB in terms of terrestrial television. Russell Southwood reports on the progress of digitalisation and how the broadcast markets operate on the island.

In issue 27

Content

Kenya: GTV Hits the Market With Four New Channel

Botswana: M-Net Idols Show Off to a Flying Start

Uganda: Kina Uganda TV Series Set for June

South Africa: Multichoice is planning another DSTV channel shuffle in May

Broadcast

Ghana: Minister praises success of Metro TV at Global Village Awards

Uganda: New Radio Station for Rwandans in Uganda

Uganda: Masindi to Get Radio Station

South Africa: The great pay-TV wars of 2008 are turning into a bit of a damp squib

Distribution

Launch of digital outdoor network in South Africa

Kenya: Postal Corporation and GTV sign sales deal

Investment

Naspers to exit its pay-TV investments in Greece and Cyprus

South Africa: Telkom Cans Pay-TV Plan, Saudi Offer

More

Regulation & policy

Technology & convergence

Events

People

Opportunities

Top story

Mauritius – Fierce competition between radio stations but only state television

With a population of 1.2 million, Mauritius is a relatively small media market. It has fierce competition in the radio field but only the state-owned MB in terms of terrestrial television. Russell Southwood reports on the progress of digitalisation and how the broadcast markets operate on the island.

One of Mauritius’s leading radio companies, Radio One reported that the Prime Minister was not in good health and that this had led to the cancellation of a Cabinet meeting. Instead of simply issuing a firm denial, a contingent of police arrived at the radio station to question and arrest the journalist responsible. It is unclear who authorised the arrest. Whilst democracy is alive and well in Mauritius, there are clearly “no-go” areas and the private broadcast sector has been challenging the formerly cosy status quo of state broadcasting.

The state broadcaster has three TV channels: MBC1, MBC2 and MBC3. MBC1 is the main channel but there is little difference between the two other channels. All channels broadcast 24 hours a day and produce output in the 13 languages of the island that include: English, French (the official language), Creole and Hindustani. It runs seven radio stations including Radio Mauritius, Cool FM, World Hits and Radio Maurice. It also has a channel that broadcasts the BBC World Service.

The financial base of MBC is a more even mix of licence fee and advertising than is found elsewhere on the continent, 60% of its revenues come from licence holders, of which there are 275,000 paying an annual licence fee of MR100 (US$3.95). The balance (40%) comes from on-air advertising.

It is one of Africa’s digitilisation pioneers and is planning to have completed the transition by 2010. It currently offers 12 digital channels with a third of licence-payers having already bought a set-top box for around MR1,000-2,000 (US$40-80). A typical new 32 inch digital TV costs MR36,400 (US$1437). However, MBC will retain analogue on 1-2 channels and in certain parts of its production process. MBC’s production is now nearly completely digital, after it has made a significant investment in new equipment. The organisation now employs 800 people, about half of whom are full-time.

Its digital output besides its own channels includes: BBC World, Deutsche Welle, TV5, CCTV (China), DD (India) and B4K (a Hindi channel from the UK). MBC also runs a learning channel. As part of its upgrading process, MBC is building a new intelligent building in the Cyber City at Ebene with Chinese Government funding of MR350 million (US$13.8 m).

Local content makes up about 30% of total output and includes news, drama, musicals and religious programmes. Also as part of its public broadcasting obligations (laid out in the MBC Act of 1982), it makes programmes covering subjects like health, women’s and consumer issues.

In the radio field, there are three private companies: Radio One (owned by newspaper owners La Sentinel), Radio Plus (owned by newspaper owner Le Defi), and Top FM. Radio One and Radio Plus have the largest audiences according to a local market research survey but the former does not have a completely national signal footprint. However, significantly, the same survey shows that listeners feel that the news from these private stations is more “independent” than that of MBC’s output. But the latter still has the largest share of radio advertising. Public radio is seen as more “serious” but has an older base of listeners.

MBC’s coverage tends to reflect disproportionately the messages and activities of the party in power. Daily television news is dominated by the appearances of local politicians of the ruling party, attending its party events or opening things like buildings and new facilities. But if there is a bias to Government, it is an “equal opportunities” policy in that whichever party is in power can take advantage of it. However, as a result, there appears to be little political will to address the issue.

In the absence of private sector Free-To-Air channels, satellite TV has made faster inroads than elsewhere on the continent. There are three pay TV companies: Multivision (Canal Satellite); Parabole Maurice (DStv); and London Satellite Systems. There are 60,000 Pay TV subscribers which is a very high number for such a relatively small market. This indicates that the relatively affluent are prepared to pay for what is seen to be better overseas content, including top Indian TV channels. Mauritius Telecom says it has around 20,000 subscribers for its Triple Play offer, using the France Telecom Livebox product.

The absence of private TV channels is hard to explain when the radio sector is liberalised and neighbouring islands like Madagascar have liberalised both radio and TV. The 1996 Act that set up the island’s regulator, the Independent Broadcasting Authority, also set up an independent signal carrier. The Government that followed gave 3 private radio licences but lost power in 2005.

Both the ruling party and the opposition look set to have a commitment to private television in their manifestos when they fight the 2010 election but observers of the local scene are sceptical that this will translate into action. However, local broadcasters seem keen that it should come about as it will mean better pay, more freedom in terms of coverage and better job satisfaction.

There are a number of significant obstacles in the way of the desire to create one or more Free To Air private channels. The Ministry of Information that is responsible for broadcasting and its regulator the IBA comes under the Prime Minister. It is a rare politician that will let go control of such a key medium. Also, MBC has three channels and it might be necessary to “privatise” of them for a private channel to make sense in such a small market.

The local Mauritian film industry is tiny and to some extent, sustained by the existence of the Mauritius Film Development Corporation. As a Government-funded agency, it acts as a “one-stop-shop” for: promoting local production; encouraging international film-makers to shoot productions on the island; offering an equipment pool; and training local film-makers.

No broadcast quality films are shot locally but there is a short film competition run by MFDC in March every year. This year it attracted fifteen entries and there is a prize of MR100,000 for each of five winning film-makers to shoot a 26 minute fiction film. There are 10 private sector cinemas on the island, owned by 4 different companies.

In this financial year it has attracted 50 international productions to the island against 60 in the previous year. These productions include: commercials; Bollywood movies; music videos; promotional clips; and photo shoots.

The Mauritius Investment Board (MIB) has ambitious plans to attract media production to the island. It would be easy to be sceptical about such vaulting ambition. There was similar scepticism when it started promoting the island as an outsourcing destination but a significant level of that kind of work now exists. Therefore it will be interesting to see whether the industry and MIB have the same success with media production as the island has had with outsourcing.

Reader’s response: South Africa: State Gets Behind Local TV and Film Industry with tax incentives package

The content of the article published under the above subject heading is in fact correct. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the Heading for the story is indeed incorrect and might be misleading to readers..

The SA Dept of Trade & Industry has made revisions to it's Film REBATE SCHEME. This is not a Tax rebate or a Tax Incentive at all. It is based on how much is spent from the budget in SA. Please note that this expenditure Is not an upfront payment, but is subject to a rigorous Audit process when the film is complete in order to determine "The Qualifying Spend" upon which The DTI REBATE SCHEME is presently structured.

However Section 24f of the SA INCOME TAX act does in fact provide a notional measure Of Tax Relief if applied for in advance, however the actual benefits under Section 24 are questionable and have in the past 10 years not been found to be attractive at all to individuals or to the financial sector.

Thus the DTI REBATE INCENTIVES is the only SA State mechanism available for SA Feature Film Production at this time.

John Stodel
South Africa

Content

Kenya: GTV Hits the Market With Four New Channel

Pay television channel GTV has released new subscription rates that make it cheaper for subscribers. This came on the back of recent insistence by the company that it would keep its old prices even as it introduced new content. Business Daily spoke to Kabutha Nduati, GTV's general manager on the new offerings.

Q: When you talk of four new channels on GTV, what are they?

There is G Africa that is dedicated exclusively to celebrating African entertainment, from movies and Nollywood cinema to soaps, gripping drama and daily lifestyle and chat shows. G Series is devoted to the world's best-loved comedy, action and drama series, bringing compulsive viewing to entertainment addicts. KidsCo is a safe, cool and fun environment for children, it is a TV adventure playground created especially for kids, packed with cartoons, movies and great family entertainment.

The fourth channel to be announced soon will provide family viewing, offering a window onto fascinating and unusual topics from all over the world. G Africa will have movies and series from every part of Africa. We are currently stocking up. We'll start sending out schedules, highlights and images once the channels are live, and these will be refreshed every month to keep the channels fun and lively for viewers.

Q: Why is GTV launching new channels now?

Attracting a critical mass of subscribers over the past nine months and a fresh injection of investment earlier this year has positioned GTV to respond directly to customer demand for new channels and packages aimed at the broadest subscriber base ever targeted in sub-Saharan Africa.

Q: What informs the decision to go African?

There is a revolution taking place by way of African film. This started in Nigeria and South Africa and is now picking up in Kenya with blockbusters like Tahidi High, Inspector Mwala, Papa Shirandula, Makutano/Junction and Cobra Squad. These have a large and dedicated following. GTV wants to provide a home for the best there is in African entertainment.

African directors and producers should feel free to explore their own ideas as well as create genre unique to Africa. Nollywood's success demonstrates how strong our appetite is. In almost every home you will find someone sitting in front their TV's watching and rewinding Nigerian Movies. We may complain about the quality but the addiction to them is largely because of the plots and stories they carry. It is easy to connect to these stories. We love these stories.

One thing that African producers must do is produce better quality movies, but we definitely should not trade our style (stories, plots, music, etc.) in order to meet anybody else's criteria.

Q: Anything Kenyan in the new offering?

There definitely will be something from every apart of Africa. GTV has been engaged in discussions with a number of producers and movie makers from Kenya and will keep you informed immediately we do have a deal. Kenyan Cinema, like I alluded to, does have a lot of good stuff.

Q: GTV has been talking about creating theatre out of African football. What do you mean and how is it going to be achieved?

Brazil may have the most entertaining football players in the world and Europe the richest, but Africa is the cradle of passion and joy. African players enhance world leagues with raw athletic power, thrilling football and genuine pleasure in the game. Football is a source of entertainment for millions and in Africa it goes even further - from the lead-up to a match until after the final whistle, it is an escape from the problems that bother millions across the continent.

You'll know when an important football match is being played in Africa because the country you are visiting will literally come to a standstill. This is the passion sponsors want to be associated with, and if they can invest a little money to drive that passion then they will.

This approach creates unprecedented opportunity. Due to our viewership and the relationships we have with potential sponsors who are interested in television-based advertising, we can add tremendous value to the leagues and competitions we invest in.

The benefits of investing in football go even further than the direct impact. There is also the potential to build regional and national pride through sports, to promote peace and better relations, and to create new jobs and business opportunities.

Why do we believe so passionately in this vision? Because the success of European football has gone hand-in-hand with the success of pay-television broadcasting.

The reason the best talent plays in England is because the broadcasters have invested heavily in creating visually attractive and exciting football for television. That investment has gone into the clubs, the leagues, and the players and turned football in a major global business.

GTV aims to do the same thing in Africa, investing millions in the coming years to broadcast stage and promote football. That money will go to clubs, to improve their talent and facilities; to leagues, to ensure excellent organisation and management and to televise and promote African football so that everyone across the continent can share in the excitement of watching their heroes play.

Q: The music on G Africa: What's new? Why is it important? Is it Hip hop or is world music? Why the choice?

G Africa is going to showcase the wide variety of musical talent that exists in Africa - it's important because our viewers tell us that their TV must give them a variety of great music created by their favourite local stars and delivered in lively, colourful formats that make great viewing.

Business Daily 13th April 2008

Botswana: M-Net Idols Show Off to a Flying Start

The screening of the M-Net Idols show has started and viewers can sit back and enjoy it on DStv's M-Net channel on Sunday and Monday nights.

The show kick-started with the Kenyan auditions that saw 13 hopefuls making it through to the next round. Those who got the golden ticket to continue in the tough competition from Kenya include Antony Mwangi, Priscilla Mmbone, Victoria Njeri Mutheka, Maureen Peris Atiena, Kariuki Gathiu, Wangui Kanyotu, Irene Njuguna, Jackson Irungu, Mukuni Mulundika, Doris Onyango, Patricia Kihoro and Christine Adda.

DStv has screened the Tanzanian auditions, which saw only four individuals making it to the next round. Auditions for Uganda and Zambia are scheduled to run on April 13 at 18:30 (CAT-E), and 20:30 (CAT-W), with the Zimbabwean auditions following the next day. Episode five is the one that most Batswana will be waiting for, as it will feature Botswana auditions on April 20. Malawi's auditions will be done on the same night. M-Net will run the show throughout April. Viewers can also catch the show on channel 198, which broadcasts Idols 24/7, as well as on Africa Magic.

The show is, of course, quite entertaining, with its three judges simulating the characters of the American Idols judges. The judges charged with the big responsibility of making-or-breaking singer wannabe's dreams to keep sparkling, include Botswana's very own award winning hip-hop artist, Thato aka Scar Matlhabaphiri, Kenya's radio DJ Angela Angwenyi and Zambia's music producer, TK Siyandi. The judges, just like the American Idols judges, are of course, harsh in their comments with Scar making more crushing remarks about those he reckons do not possess what it takes to make it into the next phase of this popular music talent show.The current presenter of the show is Zimbabwean student turned TV's Man-of-the-moment Lebogang Mzwimbi.

The Reporter 10 April 2008

Uganda: Kina Uganda TV Series Set for June

People have been wondering whether a long-running television drama like That's Life Mwattu could ever grace our screens and have people glued onto it. The problem is attributed to lack of local productions and talent in our otherwise fast growing television industry.

After the end of Kwezi Kaganda's Hand in Hand, no other local series has caught the attention of Ugandan viewers hence providing a freeway for foreign series like Lost, Prison Break and Desperate House Wives to be the talk of the town. That however, is set to change with Moment of Confusion (Akavuyo mu Bulamu), a Ugandan TV series that hits the screens in June. Produced by Multi-films International, the series features Isaac Mutumba, Princicia Madikizella, and Tinah Kemirembe among others.

The story is built around the theme of single mothers who don't introduce their children to their fathers, for one reason or another. Mutumba, who is also the executive producer of the series, says when the first season of Moment of Confusion hits the screens in June, Ugandans might face a dilemma in choosing between the local series and the foreign ones. He says he is certain that the TV series is bound "to sweep the local audience off their feet."

The Monitor 11th April 2008

South Africa: Multichoice is planning another DSTV channel shuffle in May.

Following the implementation of the Channel Shuffle 6 months ago, MultiChoice says it has taken note of feedback from customers and “has made further improvements to its DStv’s channel numbering and grouping.”

The latest changes will be implemented on 1 May 2008 and include the ‘refinement of Movies, General Entertainment as well as the News and Commerce genres’. All other genres will remain in their current position.

Movies and General Entertainment will be merged into one category with the channel numbers still starting at 100. M-Net stays in the same position at 101 but will now be followed by MM1, MM2 and M-Net Stars appearing in the channel numbers 103, 104 and 105 respectively

According to Multichoice one of the recommendations from their subscribers was to number their key genres in a manner that is easier to remember, “such as in multiples of 100 eg: Movies and General Entertainment: 100’s, Sport : 200’s, Kids : 300’s and News :400’s.”

As a result, News and Commerce channels will be moved from 280 to 400. This means that BBC World will be changed to 400, CNN 401, Sky News 402 and so forth. Multichoice believes that these changes will provide our subscribers with enhanced navigation and seamless channel surfing, which will have a positive impact on the overall viewing experience.

More information on the changes will appear in the May issue of Dish magazine and can also be found on the website at www.dstv.com. Multichoice further advises DStv viewers who experiences problems to reboot/rescan their decoders.

In brief

- Mr. Bones 2 is currently being shot in Gauteng, having completed a 2 week shoot in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Produced by Anant Singh’s Videovision Entertainment, this second version of the hugely popular feature film traces a further adventure of the indomitable character Mr. Bones (Leon Schuster).

- Chiwetel Ejiofor is set to play South African President Thabo Mbeki in Pete Travis's 'Endgame'. Co-starring with William Hurt, he'd started the rehearsal process on Monday before coming to South Africa to shoot the film. by Wilson Morales

- GTV is staging a Barclays Premier League SMS competition that will enable fans win lucrative prizes from now until the end of the season. The top prize in the Barclays Premier League SMS competition is two tickets and an all-paid for trip to watch a Barclays Premier League match of his/her choice. Other prizes to be won include cash, GTV decoders with one year's free subscription and mobile phones.

Broadcast

Ghana: Minister praises success of Metro TV at Global Village Awards

At the Global Village Group of Companies (Metro TV & OMP) awards night in Accra, last Friday, Minister of Manpower, Youth and Employment, Nana Akomea commended the management and staff of Metro TV for contributing to the successful development of broadcasting in the country. "Television in the country has changed because of Metro; this demonstrates the power of the private sector," Nana Akomea said.

The Minister pointed out that "People now hardly turn to the DSTV for live international games because of the Ghanaian TV station." He congratulated the awardees as well as those who went home empty handed saying, "You are all winners, both those who picked awards and those who didn't," he added.

The Deputy Minister of Information, Mr Frank Agyekum, who stood in for Hon. Oboshie Sai Coffie, the Information Minister towed the same line saying: "You have carved a niche for yourself as a leader in sports but remember to be fair in your reportage in the forthcoming national elections.

The Chief Executive Officer and the Managing Director of Optimum Media Prime(OMP), Messrs Fadi Fattal and Ken Ashigbey, in their speeches congratulated the staff for the success made so far, and urged them to sustain the tempo as they strive for the best in their various fields of endeavours.

On a lighter note; Fadi, Roy and Christopher Opoku endeared themselves to the staff and guests when they treated them to renditions by Lionel Richie and Bob Marley during the staff and karaoke segment. Prizes ranging from radio cassette players, television sets and special cash prizes were given to those who excelled in their area of specialization.

Ghanaian Chronicle (Accra) 7th April 2008

Uganda: New Radio Station for Rwandans in Uganda

A new radio station that will broadcast exclusively in Kinyarwanda has been set up for the Rwandan community living in Uganda. Based in Kampala on the Naguru Hill, Citizen FM will broadcast in some parts of central Uganda (Kampala, Masaka, Sembabule, Mubende, and Rakai) and the western town of Mbarara. According to Frank Gashumba, the managing director of Citizen FM, the radio will be a voice for the Rwandan community living in Uganda with the aim of fostering unity among them.

"Almost all tribes in Uganda have a radio station to promote their interests. Rwandans living in Uganda don't have any radio station yet there are so many Rwandans living in Uganda. This radio station will give priority to issues affecting Rwandans and help them to keep in touch with one another," said Gashumba in an interview with The New Times.

The New Times (Kigali) 2 April 2008

Uganda: Masindi to Get Radio Station

Masindi district local government will start a radio station to mobilise communities and generate revenue to run district programmes.

The district chairperson Steven Birija said once on air, the radio station would help bridge the gap between the district leadership and the communities. He said the district would generate revenue from advertisements and sponsored programmes to fund other activities.Birija was recently leading a team of officials from the district on a two-day study tour to Kyenjojo district under the District Livelihood Support Programme which aims to fight poverty and address gender imbalances.

South Africa: The great pay-TV wars of 2008 are turning into a bit of a damp squib

The Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) is coming under fire for licensing “too many” pay-TV operators, leading e.sat to pull out of the race and, arguably, to the potential failure of Telkom Media. Fact is, though, it didn’t license nearly enough.

The great pay-TV wars of 2008 are turning into a bit of a damp squib. First e.sat, sister company of e.tv, announced it was pulling out of the race to build a pay-TV network. Now Telkom is set to hang up on its investment in Telkom Media — it holds a 66% stake which it wants to reduce significantly and possibly sell entirely — putting the future of the venture in doubt.

If Telkom Media is unable to find a new anchor shareholder, it may have to pull the plug on what had been seen as the biggest potential threat to MultiChoice’s hegemony. The company is now in desperate talks with potential investors.

Telkom says it is pulling out because it has better uses for its money. One wonders if the fixed-line phone operator actually scrutinised the business plan if it’s abandoning the venture before it has even got off the ground. Memo to Telkom management: the media industry does not generate the sort of profit margins that phone monopolies do.

If Telkom Media fails, MultiChoice will have to contend with only two potential rivals: the small, family values-focused Walking on Water Television and a more significant contender, On Digital Media.

Icasa is already coming under fire for licensing so many pay-TV operators. When it scrapped its plans late last year, e.sat blamed Icasa’s decision to license four new players. It said that the market was too small to accommodate more than two players and would instead concentrate on supplying content to MultiChoice.

But those pointing fingers at Icasa are being disingenuous. Instead, the authority should be criticised for trying to regulate a market where regulation is not desirable. Certainly, there should be no artificial limits placed on the number of pay-TV operators. What gives a regulatory bureaucrat — no matter how good they are — the insight to decide accurately how many competitors the market can sustain? No-one knows the size of the market until everyone who wants to compete is given the opportunity to do so.

Placing artificial limits on competition is not conducive to reducing prices — just look at Vodacom and MTN’s high voice tariffs for evidence of this.

And it is not the regulator’s business to protect investors’ money. If investors want to take a risk, that’s their prerogative. If they lose their shirts, tough luck.

In a free, open market, if another operator wants to step in where e.sat, for example, is unwilling to compete, they should be able to do so — without first having to go cap in hand to Icasa for special permission.

If there is abuse of market power, then the competition authorities have shown they have the teeth to deal with the errant operator/s.

Terrestrial broadcasts, on the other hand, do need to be limited and more closely managed. But here the reason for regulation is mainly technical: the lack of radio frequency spectrum places physical limitations on the number of terrestrial radio and TV stations that can be broadcast. There is also a need to ensure that the scarce spectrum is used to license stations that appeal to the widest possible cross section of the population.

But in satellite broadcasting, the restrictions are more financial (the cost of launching new satellites) than technical in nature.

In light of e.sat’s decision to pull out and the potential failure of Telkom Media, Icasa ought urgently to revisit the pay-TV market. This time, it ought to open the market to all-comers and let the market decide the outcome. That, ultimately, would be in the best interests of consumers and the industry.

In brief

- Public broadcaster SABC is celebrating the launch of its new youth radio station, truFM. The station is built on the foundations of the much loved, but outdated, CKI FM.

- A Catholic station in the north of Uganda, Radio Pacis, has launched a second FM frequency thanks to the prize money it won at the BBC Africa Radio Awards in 2007.The Arua-based station won the New Station of the Year category and was awarded US $5000 to buy equipment.

- Angel Radio, which operates on the 96.1 FM in Ghana’s second city Kumasi, and its environs by the Angel Broadcasting Services Limited, is one year old in broadcasting. It took to the airwaves on March 19, 2007.In November last year, the local radio station was rated first, among the numerous FM stations, after only eight months into its operations.

- The Canaria Radio and Television channel (RTVC) said it would open an office in Rabat.

The announcement was made by the network's Director General, Guillermo Garcia, at a meeting of the RTVC's board of inquiry. No date was set for the opening of this office.

Distribution

Launch of digital outdoor network in South Africa

Primedia Outdoor is launching what is billed as the first large-format, high-resolution digital outdoor network in South Africa. As a result, it reports that many early adopting advertisers have already commenced with their creative production.

While this digital trend has evolved at a rapid pace in the US, the development of high-quality digital networks in the local outdoor industry is, to date, in its infancy. According to S'khumbuzo Nkosi, Primedia Outdoor's CEO, "The Primedia Outdoor Digital Network will provide top-quality digital outdoor, offering advertisers unique flexibility and spellbinding clarity, day and night."

The corner of Rivonia Road and Grayston Drive in Sandton, Johannesburg, will host the first 4m x 8m digital billboard, fondly named Venus, providing advertisers an enormous and valuable daily traffic count – 38 510 high income consumers. Set at an oblique angle, Venus's digital face cleverly addresses traffic approaching from both Benmore on Graystone and the Sandton CBD travelling north on Rivonia Road, towards the M1 highway.

Mars, the second site, is situated further north on Rivonia Road, between Ninth and Tenth Avenues, addressing the dense north-bound traffic towards the N1 highway and Sunninghill. Mars counts 21 294 vehicles a day and is 3m x 6m in size.

Saturn on the corner of William Nicol and Ballyclare Drives reaches all traffic headed south on William Nicol, from Bryanston and Fourways, towards the Sandton CBD and Hyde Park. Saturn is clearly visible to 20 408 vehicles a day and is 4m x 8m in size.

Jupiter dominates the busy William Nicol and Sandton Drive intersection, feeding north and west-bound commuters towards Bryanston. It is also 4m x 8m in size and records a traffic count of 33 319 vehicles a day.

In addition to the many benefits provided by outdoor advertising, this network will allow advertisers to achieve high-impact, high-resolution outdoor communication on a digital platform – providing tactical messaging, day-part message management, real-time updates and inexpensive creative changes. Nkosi explains that the network of screens allows for region, site, or time-based information to be adapted tactically, in a quick and inexpensive manner, while a range of brands or sub-brands can be interchanged within an advertiser's slot to allow message rotation and greater relevance.

"Messages can be changed across the network, or by site, allowing advertisers to pick up on local lingo and events, while the brand's core message can be adapted throughout the day to ensure time-based relevance," he adds.

The digital network will be set up to allow direct data feeds, enabling relevant content to be downloaded directly to the site. "While standard copy changes require a lead time of 24 hours, more immediate copy changes will also be offered, providing greater relevance and flexibility to our clients," Nkosi says.

Creative conceptualisation costs are similar for traditional and digital outdoor; however, the 'print' cost for digital outdoor falls away and is replaced by a nominal 'upload' cost to get the message onto the network. "In the interest of driving greater tactical and frequent message changes, Primedia Outdoor will provide the first two creative changes at no cost," Nkosi explains.

Another significant difference between traditional and digital outdoor is that the latter only requires one (digital) version of the creative execution, rather than having to print faces for each traditional site.

Further cost saving is provided by the fact that once creative material has been generated, it exists (in digital form) in perpetuity, allowing advertisers to re-broadcast material without having to re-print it.In terms of digital design, the essence is clear. "Be simple, be colourful and be bold. Then sit back and enjoy the results from Saturn, Venus, Mars and Jupiter," Nkosi concludes.

For more information, go to www.signofthetimes.co.za.

Kenya: Postal Corporation and GTV sign sales deal

The Postal Corporation of Kenya has entered into an agreement to receive subscription payments on behalf of pay -TV service provider GTV.

The deal is part of the corporation’s effort to diversify its operations in the wake of rising competition in its traditional mail market from electronic mail and short message services (SMS) offered by mobile telephone service providers.

The government-owned Postal Corporation has over the years earned its revenue through delivery of mail, both locally and internationally — a service that has come under heavy attack from e-mails and mobile telephony.

Over the past 10 years, technological advancements have seen Kenyans adopt new channels of communication eating into the snail mail market. Globally, it is estimated that the number of people sending snail mail is declining at an annual rate of five per cent. This has forced postal service providers to go back to the drawing board to remain in business.

Last week, the Postal Corporation of Kenya formalised a business partnership with GTV that will enable subscribers for the pay- TV service to settle their monthly bill through the corporation’s 300 outlets. “Our partnership brings together two leading brands in a strategic alliance that will give both of us a high profile presence in the market,” said Fred Odhiambo, the Postmaster General.

In brief

- In a historic move, the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) has brought together public broadcaster SABC and pay-TV operator M-Net to participate in the South African Pavilion at MIPTV. Additionally, the Film and Publications Board, (FPB) will for the first time officially partner with the NFVF to host the South African Pavillion at the 45th year of MIPTV which takes place in Cannes, France from 7 to 11 April 2008.

- Free-to-air broadcaster eTV is at loggerheads with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), with the private TV station opposed to conditional access being included in set-top-boxes (STBs) for digital terrestrial TV.

- For the first time ever, the popular and award-winning African TV series - Dear Mother, Rough Edges, Behind The Seige, are available on-demand on the African Movie Channel; and other exciting drama series will follow very shortly.

- Newtec, a world-leading innovator in the satellite and communications industry last week announced that it has completed the installation of its multimedia networking concept, MENOS - which allows video and audio material to be shared amongst sites across a large geographical area - at the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) facility in Algiers. MENOS, (Multimedia Exchange Network over Satellite) is a revolutionary networking concept that supports all potential transmission applications required by broadcasters in a fully automated way. These include DSNG uplinks to studios, primary distributions from studios to headends, international contribution exchange between studios and support for business television networks. It also offers IP-based services such as VoIP and corporate VPN’s as well as an integrated billing and content archiving capability. Newtec has now completed the installation of the MENOS hub, and transmission tests over Arabsat 4B were concluded at the end of March 2008.

Investment

Naspers to exit its pay-TV investments in Greece and Cyprus

Locally-listed media giant Naspers has reached an agreement on its decision to sell its Greek and Cypriot pay-TV operation, NetMed. Last week the group announced a conditional sale agreement had been entered into with telecommunications company Forthnet SA. The operation will sell for 490 million euros, a little over R6 billion at today's currency, the group said.

The company first announced its intention to exit the business in October last year. At the time, Naspers said the decision followed a review of its strategic investment priorities and its focus on emerging markets.

In its 2007 annual report, the media company said the regulatory framework for the digitisation of the terrestrial networks was taking shape. This could bring the operator further opportunities, “although the timetable remains uncertain”. NetMed contributed R1.7 billion in revenue to the group in that year.

Naspers is warning shareholders that there are several conditions still outstanding to this deal which could add risk to shareholders. “The completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including the approval by Forthnet's shareholders of a rights issue to partly fund the acquisition of NetMed. In addition, Forthnet will be required to raise debt funding. The transaction is subject to the risks typical of such capital raising,” Naspers cautioned.

South Africa: Telkom Cans Pay-TV Plan, Saudi Offer

Telkom stock fell last week after the company said it was slashing its proposed investment in a pay-TV division and rejecting an investment proposition by Saudi operator Oger Telecoms.

Instead of pumping R7,5bn into the highly speculative field of pay-TV, Telkom will invest heavily in boosting its voice and data networks, and may also buy into a foreign cellular operator. The market has waited months for clarity on Telkom's future direction as it reviews how best it can combine both fixed and mobile voice and data services to shore up its traditional income. But yesterday's announcement lacked the excitement that analysts had expected, and its share price fell 10,14% to close at R131,20.

Plans that have been assessed and dismissed during the review included selling a stake to the Saudis, selling its entire fixed line infrastructure to MTN and selling its 50% stake in Vodacom. "The share price is down because people were expecting bigger news, like they were selling Vodacom or had decided to list it," said one analyst. Instead, the most dramatic move is to "substantially reduce" its investment in Telkom Media, which won a licence to enter the pay-TV market last year.

Three other firms also won licences, raising concerns that the audience was too small for them all in an arena already dominated by MultiChoice. Telkom owns 66% of Telkom Media and earmarked R7.5bn for the venture, but it is now trying to sell most of its stake. "It looks like they will sell the majority of Telkom Media and that's positive because a lot of people were questioning that investment," the analyst said. "That business will continue, but I'd guess they will retain less than 10%. The question is who is gong to buy it."

Telkom's CEO, Reuben September, told analysts yesterday that media companies had long pay-back periods, and alternatives offered faster returns. Telkom must focus on its strengths as competition increases, and so it would retain the smallest possible stake.

Strengthening its core business of voice and data services will see it invest heavily in new networks using both fixed and wireless technologies, but September did not specify how much would be spent.

He said an offer from Oger Telecoms to buy into its business had been declined as not in the interests of shareholders. None of its operations would be sold without "a compelling strategic rationale," he said.

Yet Telkom implied it would disinvest from Vodacom if it could sell for a decent profit and invest the cash more profitably in a mobile operator in another emerging market. Last year Telkom was prepared to end its ties with Vodacom only if it could team up with MTN or Cell C. "Now it may sell Vodacom if it can find another mobile asset, which doesn't have to be in SA," the analyst said. "They said they had identified a number of attractive opportunities."

That would not help Telkom bulk up its local network, but it could work with any cellular player in SA to offer a combination of fixed and cellular services, the analyst said.

(Business Day, 1 April 2008)

In brief

- The South African Delegation of Media Professionals, which is participating in the SA/Hollywood Exchange in Los Angeles, the week after next, will be meeting with the highest level decision makers in the entertainment capital of the world.

More

Regulation & policy

Egypt: State-Run Satellite Nilesat Blocks Transmission of Alhewar Satellite

On 1 April 2008 Nilesat stopped the transmission of Alhewar TV without warning or giving clear reasons for their decision. Alhewar TV, which broadcasts from London, is viewed by thousands of people in the region via the Nilesat satellite. It is known for its credibility, courageous and critical coverage including on social and political issues in Egypt.

Earlier this year, at the end of February, Nilesat also blocked the transmission of Al-zawraa and Al-Baraka stations, allegedly at the request of the US Administration. "Such an act is a clear indication of the intention of the Egyptian Government to go ahead with implementation of the Arabic Charter on Satellite endorsed by the Arab information ministers this February. This is the latest in a series of attacks in Egypt against freedom of the press and the free flow of information. Egypt is on a roll. But it is going downhill," says Dr. Agnes Callamard, Article 19's executive director.

According to Callamard:”Article 19 once again strongly condemns the Arabic Charter on Satellite which stands in opposition to Article 32 of the Arab Charter on Human Rights that guarantees the right to information and freedom of expression. Article 19 would also like to remind Egypt which is party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) of its obligations and pledges to human rights and freedom of expression in particular”.

The charter was agreed to on Tuesday, 12 February 2008 at a special meeting of Ministers of Information of the Arab League states in Cairo held at the request of Egypt and Saudi Arabia. With the exception of Qatar and Lebanon, member states of the Arab League voted in favour of the non-binding document.

Although not legally binding, the document is a symbolic blow to freedom of expression and a regional attempt by Arab governments to restrict satellite TV, the only avenue for free expression in most of the Arab World. The document is particularly dangerous in that it threatens to "withdraw, freeze or not renew the work permits of media which break the regulations."

"Stations are required not to offend the leaders or national and religious symbols in the Arab world . . . not to damage social harmony, national unity, public order or traditional values . . . to conform to the religious and ethical values of Arab society and take account of its family structure . . . refrain from broadcasting anything which calls into question God, the monotheistic religions, the prophets, sects or symbols of the various religious communities . . . and protect Arab identity from the harmful effects of globalization," are just some of the vague provisions prevalent in the document, which if implemented will inevitably mute all forms of political expression and hinder the only avenue for free expression in the region - satellite TV.

In March 2008, the Lebanese National Audio-Visual Council declared its objections to the "Principles for Organizing Satellite TV in the Arab World" charter. In the same month, 34 Arab human rights organisations issued a statement declaring their "total rejection" of the document that aims to impose new restrictions on the Arab satellite channels. According to the statement "the charter contains statements that correspond to the same charges targeting opponents of the Arab governments."

For further information on the Arabic regional charter on satellite broadcasting, see: http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/91466

DRC: Acting President of Haute Autorité des Médias suspended

Dominique Sakombi Inongo, who was appointed Acting President of the Haute Autorité des Médias (Ham) in November 2007, by Esdras Kambale, the Minister of Culture and Arts in the Gizenga II Government has been suspended. The decision was signed by the « Assemblée plénière » of the institution de régulation des médias en République Démocratique du Congo. When asked about his suspension by local radio station, Radio Okapi, he refused to comment.

(source: Le Phare)

In brief

- Sipho Moses Maseko and Abdul Ismail Gaibee, the two South African engineers who were arrested for covering a Press conference on Zimbabwe’s March 29 elections without accreditation, were acquitted last week.

Technology & convergence

KenTV unveils online shopping network

Internet broadcaster, KenTV has launched an on-line shopping network for local and international shoppers visiting its website. Company executives said the service not only targets the growing number of Kenyans using the Internet but also opens a new window for Kenyans in the diaspora to buy goods for their relatives back home.

“We believe that a guide on the net that gives consumers a hassle-free view of the best offers in town adds value to our website,” said Kimaita Magiri, the managing director of the online television network. KenTV is banking on the lure of local content for Kenyans living abroad to develop an on-line consumer market that incorporates an e-commerce element to the website.

“The number of visits to our site has risen from 25,000 hits a day to 90,000 since its launch,” said Mr Magiri. The television station broadcasts solely on the web. Its programmes range from daily news broadcasts to music shows, highlights of popular sports events and even religious services.

A number of companies with an interest in selling to the global consumer market are on the network. They include Nakumatt, Uchumi and Bata. KenTV’s Shopping Network hopes to take on the more established players such as Mamamikes.com that launched over seven years ago and has built a solid client base on the Internet.

KenTV has also announced an extension of its programming line-up to meet rising demand. Magiri attributes the rising number of visitors to the website to the signing of a partnership with international broadcast firm Sky in November. The move has allowed KenTV to attract more European viewers and advertisers such as Moneyline UK that promotes its money transfer services on the website. KenTV’s is the first Kenyan-based dedicated Internet television station but the format promises to draw a large number of traditional broadcasters to web transmissions.

In September,2007, NTV went online, in a partnership with Internet social sharing website Youtube, the first part of a comprehensive plan to develop a digital broadcasting division. Within the first month, NTV’s website received over 325,000 views, three honours and an average of 4,000 views for every video uploaded, and can boast solid viewership figures from all over the world. “Preliminary surveys indicate that the site is increasingly becoming popular with Kenyans and other citizens abroad,” said Joseph Mucheru of Google, who own the YouTube site.

Nigeria: From Cannes to Vaga, a Defining Moment for Broadcasting

Last Monday morning the 2008 MIPTV featuring Mila opened in Cannes South of France for a world voracious for global content to drive the soul of television, while by weekend, the National Association of Broadcasters Conference, NAB, will open in Las Vegas in the State of Nevada. No doubt this is one of the most defining moments of global television in history.

This is a time the cut over from analogue to digital TV has started in most parts of the world, even as broadcasters are shopping for products of the future which will match their digital transmission mode. There is a leg into the future and countries are just at a rush who gets in there first.

This is also a great moment for other emerging technologies. The world is looking for different platforms to use content. Attention is thus shifting from traditional avenues like television, theatres and others channels to quickies like mobile handheld devices which make it possible for people to watch content on the go.

America is making the most of the moment. This is the last NAB before the entire country goes digital on February 17, 2009, and the buzz is on for people not to be taken unawares by the cut over date. The country does not want to have a citizenry that won't be able to see TV, you know, the right to information thing.

The NAB itself, a voice for more than 8, 300 radio and TV stations is leading an awareness campaign costing over one billion dollars to educate the American people while the country is giving out two coupons worth $40 each to ensure that homes are able to procure new TV sets or at least by set top converters that cost from $40 each.

On the floor of the event which is also the biggest broadcast equipment exhibition in the world, the conference will feature a session on DTV Transition: Partnership opportunities for Cable operators and Broadcasters. This is the time for big business and every operator is looking for an opportunity to put a leg through the door.

Digital TV will create great opportunities including more channels the operators will have free to fill with new contents. More than ever before content makers have a giant pipe to fill with digital materials and that is more business to those involved in the generation.

But Nigeria is not totally left out in this great advancement in broadcasting. In fact, after initial reluctance, the country is actually leading the rest of Africa in the digital march. Only mid March, the Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. John Odey, at a meeting with Cable TV operators gave the orders that the operators should go digital by the end of April 2008.

They are the first set of broadcasters in the country that will be going digital although Daar Communications has been investing heavily in digital facilities in the past five years. The digital journey has also been abbreviated in a way.

Instead of the 2015 originally scheduled by the regulator, the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, the set date for Nigerian TV stations to go full digital is 2012. Interestingly the concern of government may go beyond issuing ultimatums and deadlines.

The Minister by weekend will be leading a group of Nigerian broadcasters and officials of the NBC to Las Vegas to see firsthand and for the first time, happenings in the global industry. No doubt his experience may impact on what happens in the country's broadcast industry henceforth. It may be interesting for him to look at how America and the rest of the world are handling their movement to the digital platform.

While the biggest hardware show splashed with conferences is holding in Vegas, the biggest content show is holding in Cannes with the broadcast world gathered in that beautiful city to buy TV contents and do some programme commissioning with content makers.

In the previous year, more than 3, 700 buyers from TV, Internet, Mobile, IPTV, VOD Telecom, In-flight Entertainment and Licensing companies gathered at the Palais, venue of the event to shop for programme, and more are expected by this year's projection.

However, this year both Cannes and Vegas are almost unanimous in the way they are responding to mobile content which is becoming big business. While Vegas has a whole section devoted to mobile content, Cannes is setting aside a whole day as Mobile Media Day.

In fact the theme of the Cannes gathering is Audience on the Move, and one of the dignitaries expected is Didier Lombard, Chairman and CEO, France Telecom and this keenly interprets the growing relationship between TV and Telecoms. MIPTV 2008 has 40 sessions featuring over 150 entertainment innovators.

What is most interesting is the direction the world is headed with digital broadcasting and mobile content. This explains why HiTV's Toyin Subair is in Cannes to introduce his channels to the world and buy international content although manning his Stand alone after the French Embassy aborted his dream of sending a big team for a major impact for not providing the necessary travel documents; it is also the reason Daar Communications Chairman, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi is in Cannes buying content for his new vision.

Vanguard (Lagos) 9th April 2008

In brief

- The mobile project Voices of Africa has been recognized as an Official Honoree by the Webby Awards 2008, the leading international honor for the Web. Voices of Africa gives African reporters the opportunity to report with mobile phones about events in their country. The mobile phone is used to create video and to upload to the website www.voices-of-africa.com and Africanews.com. This is unique in Africa. Voices of Africa is a initiative of the Africa Interactive Media Foundation, based in Haarlem, The Netherlands.

People

- Abbey Makoe, political editor at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), has resigned from the public broadcaster, it said on Friday. Makoe said: "I am very sad to leave the SABC. Of all the media institutions for which I have worked, I found the SABC the most transformed and progressive."

- It is history in the making as Ghana music .com dubs it - “A Night With the hiplife Legend – Reggie Rockstone” in Washington DC. The event is presented by J Q Promotions and Party Addicts worldwide andis set for Friday, April 18, 2008 at 10:00pm and there ain’t no stopping. The birthday bash will be covered by Ghana Music.com, MTV Base coverage, JQ TV, Cliques TV, Dondo Magazine.

- The organiser of events Libyan-German Nadia Murabet won the award 'Global Achievers 2008' on the third International African Media Summit, which took place in Tunis. The award was organised by the African Communications Agency (ACA), which every year gathers journalists and operators from the African communication and from the African Diaspora. The "Global Achievers Award" is given to young emerging people in the sector. Nadia Murabet is daughter of a famous Libyan journalist, Mohamed, founder of 'The Tripoli Newspaper' and 'The Libyan Mail'. She lives between Milan and the Libyan capital and is president of the company Vision Media, which organises cultural, artistic and fashion events in the Arab and African countries. The president of the African Communications Agency, Erieka Bennet, presented Murabet as "an example of the exceptional professionals from the community of the African Diaspora, whose hearts and minds are aiming at ways to lift Africa and to change our image in the global community".

Jobs & Opportunities

Africa: Artists' Television Access calls for submissions for its third ATA Film and Video Festival!

Experimental Shorts 20 mins and under

Video, Super 8 and 16 mm

Preview on VHS, miniDV or DVD

Deadline: May 15, 2008

Entry fee: $10

http://www.atasite.org/festival/

The ATA Film & Video Festival was founded in 2006 to showcase some of the best short works by independent and experimental film and video artists exhibiting locally, nationally and internationally. The festival includes several nights of screenings and installations in our Mission District storefront gallery and a lunch for the filmmakers. Throughout the year, work from the festival is broadcast to the San Francisco community on ATV, ATA's weekly cable-access television show, and screened in other national and international venues.

Artists' Television Access is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all-volunteer, artist-run, experimental media arts gallery that has been in operation since 1984. ATA hosts a series of film and video screenings, exhibitions and performances by emerging and established artists and a weekly cable access television program.

Artists' Television Access
992 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA 94110
http://www.atasite.org

Events

Cape Winelands Film Festival

April 18-26, 2008

The very first Cape Winelands Film Festival will take place in Stellenbosch from 18 to 26 April. According to festival directors Leon van der Merwe and Karen Meiring, there will be 92 films screened at the festival.

Angola: Luanda Film Festival

November 22-29, 2008

The event is intended to stimulate cultural cooperation, particularly in the field of cinema, between local and foreign producers and directors and re-launch the system of production and distribution of cinema in the country. Addressing the launch ceremony, Miguel Hurst said that Angolan Government intends to award prizes to films screened in Angola, both local and foreign, seeking to increment the production of movies in the country. With the expected participation of local and foreign movies, the festival will comprise competitive, non-competitive categories and parallel activities.

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