Africa Market Briefing 2013 | Page 3

africa2_africa 30/10/2013 09:33 Page 2 Africa digital (continued) modifications to the GE06 Plan following the final frequency coordination meeting in Nairobi. “The objective was to enable African countries to allocate the digital dividend to mobile services in the band 694-862 MHz, as a regionally harmonised implementation of Fox to acquire Setanta Africa Fox International Channels (FIC), a 21st Century Fox company, is in the final stages of acquiring Setanta Africa Services, a sports channel bouquet distributed throughout all of subSaharan Africa in over one million homes. The acquisition is complete subject to approval by the Irish Competition Authority. Setanta Africa business broadcasts three sports channels: Setanta Africa which is available in English and French, Zuku Sports in HD in East Africa and the recentlylaunched Setanta Action. The channels cover football leagues from around the world, rugby, mixed martial arts and many other sporting events. “The incorporation of Setanta Africa into our FIC Africa operation, which already includes leading entertainment, factual, lifestyle and children’s channels further reinforces our overall desire to invest and grow our presence in this rapidly expanding region. Our commitment to deliver high quality content across all of our channels naturally the decisions taken at the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2012,” Rancy said. “This objective was reached by re-planning the spectrum requirements of television broadcasting in the 470-694 MHz frequency band.” The July meeting in Nairobi organised jointly by ITU and the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) and hosted by the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), attracted 124 participants from 35 Member States. extends to this new addition to our family”, says Alessandro Tucci (below left), SVP and GM of Fox International Channels Africa. OprahWinfrey network for DStv In what is seen as a major coup of South Africa’s Multichoice/DStv pay-TV operator, the service is to carry Discovery’s TLC Entertainment channel, which will contain blocks of programming featuring material from the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). The channel launched in October to subscribers to DStv’s Compact, Compact+ and Premium bouquets. “The launch of TLC Entertainment is hugely exciting for us and marks a key moment in our continuing investment in Africa,” said James Gibbons, SVP and country manager, Discovery Networks CEEMEA. “The new-look channel will feature content tailored to suit our loyal viewers, making it even more enjoyable and appointment-to-view. Securing the OWN programming block is crucial to this, and we hope to build on the success of Oprah’s Next Chapter specials with Justin Bieber and Lance Armstrong by showcasing even more of the diverse, entertaining and inspirational content that only Oprah and her OWN team can deliver.” TLC Entertainment says the channel will feature fan favourites from the network’s current line-up—including Cake Boss, Long Island Medium, and Say Yes to the Dress. Packaged in two branded OWN weekly blocks— My OWN Thursday and Super Soul Sunday—viewers will have two dedicated slots each week to enjoy OWN programming with the biggest hits from OWN, such as Oprah’s Next Chapter, Oprah’s Master Class, and more. mation and entertainment services will benefit the viewers, while operators and governments will be advantaged by a partnership with Exset to monetise the digital migration. Exset DMS for African pay-TV South Africa delays STB scheme again Developing market TV ecosystem specialist Exset has launched a monetisation solution for Sub-Saharan Africa’s pay-TV services, offering a tailored solution for emerging markets. According to Exset, by avoiding sole dependence on subscriber fees for revenue, the solution makes pay-TV ‘self-financing’. DMS suggests a low subscription model of a few dollars per month to be charged for digital television service with additional income to be gained from selling interactive TV space to governments, publications, local service providers and teleshopping. 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