SO MUCH has been said about the new channels most of our television stations are adding to their repertoire in view of the imminent digital migration.
The debate on the consequences of not switching to digital, the partial transition coupled with DSTV increasing their monthly subscription are some of the factors that I feel have opened up the market share of audiences.
Obviously DSTV holds the larger chunk of the market share but both ZNBC and Muvi TV could tap into subscribers leaving the South African giant pay-television outlet after the increase in subscription fees that has not sat well with some people on the local front.
While that might be the case, there is need for Muvi TV and ZNBC to conduct a thorough survey of their audiences for them to know what kind of menu to serve their viewers if they are to be the preferred alternative to DSTV.
One quick option I thought of is broadcasting live Parliamentary proceedings. The few times ZNBC radio broadcast the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee last year drew some good feedback which could suggest that televising it would even be better.
I am not sure if the Parliamentary privileges committee would allow that to happen but certainly some of the reforms that have happened at our National Assembly over the years should be lenient on such overtures.
This reminds of a debate I watched on Muvi TV Breakfast with Boys when Costa Mwansa asked his panel why the tribunal investigating the alleged misconduct of suspended Director of Public Prosecution Mutembo Nchito was not being beamed live on television.
It was interesting to hear various schools of thought but one that interested me most was a view that such the tribunal would bore the viewers if it were live on television because of the legal jargon, let alone the utter lack of interest by an average viewer.
Another argument was that the media houses that attend the tribunal would already pick out areas of interest and relay them to their audiences.
Personally, I feel the live telecast of the tribunal or even Parliament would bring out the actual atmosphere in the House.
For example, it was not ease to bring out the emotions that Oscar Pistorious poured out in a news story but during the live broadcasts we could see the paralympian vomiting or breaking down in tears.
Maybe sometimes as the media through our various editorial polices we end up highlighting what would not necessarily whet the appetite of the audiences so why not let audiences make their own choices?
Parliament television would be an all encompassing channel in that it would help the constituents follow watch what their representatives say in the House while also being an educative platform for school-going children.
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From the mailbag
Hello Xavier,
I really appreciate the line of news on Muvi TV but I think it is too much blood-letting scenes. When watching Muvi TV news, you would think the country was on fire. The amount of blood you get to watch on Muvi TV is sometimes more than in countries like Nigeria or Iraq where there is full scale unrest.
Even the usual disclaimer to sensitive viewers about sensitive pictures has almost become monotonous. Maybe Muvi TV should consider airing the disclaimer as a preamble to the news like the way ZNBC newscasters say One Zambia One Nation.
There was some day when the first five items were about death. First some girl drowned in Ngwerere stream, a woman killed in Garden, a man electrocuted in Serenje then the Mazabuka and Kafue road accidents.
It is also not for Muvi TV to say that someone has been murdered everytime a dead body is picked up somewhere. They are not a court for them to conclude that just because a body is found with a swollen face then the person has been murdered.
Maybe Muvi TV should have a segment of news specifically for announcing deaths. On the flip side  though, all those concerns of the mobs that cry theatrically at the scenes of death should be taken seriously. For example, the constructions of a police post in Garden and a bridge on Ngwerere stream.
Regards, Kaseba
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Hello Mr Xavier,
Allow me to comment on ZNBC Sport On programme moderator Brian Mulamba who should have handled the Saturday programme better than he did. He kept interjecting before a panelist could make a point.
The topic was on whether the Chipolopolo need a foreign or local coach.
Brian appeared confrontational and took a stance.
He did not allow the panelists Jeremiah Chalwe, Marsha Chilemena and Yotham Mwanza to debate the issue as he kept on interjecting. There were no follow up questions.
He did not appreciate the rich background the panel provided, for example, on how many foreign coaches had handled the Chipolopolo but failed to produce the desired results as he insisted on having a foreign coach.
Brian should have researched, for instance, to know how both foreign and local coaches performed, before Herve Renard won the 2012 championship, for him to make a meaningful contribution.
Yes, Brian should have been in charge of the panel but not unnecessarily interjecting as if he had already made up his mind that Zambia needs a foreign coach.
In other words, let us not imitate SuperSport Soccer Africa Show but be original and unique for the masses to appreciate.
There is nothing wrong from copying a concept, but where imitation becomes the game then know that we have a problem.
Good sports presentation both in print and electronic media is cardinal to the growth of the much loved game. It should not always be opinions but facts.
In short, Brian spoiled the programme.
Joe, Lusaka
For more comments manchishi@gmail.com