WHAT a reaction from last week’s edition based on the observation made on the newly-launched Zambezi Magic channel 160! Interesting I must say!
It’s as though many, just as this platform did, spent time analysing the content of the new channel with high expectations of seeing a new chapter open in the African entertainment world with Zambian content predominant on the channel.
To many viewers’ surprise, it turned out not to be the case as the new channel has in the main South African content with one from Zambia.
“Why is it even being called Zambezi if 99 per cent of content is South African? I don’t think this is right at all,” James Ngoma from Chipata writes.
Last week this platform raised a concern after closely watching and scrutinising the content of the new Zambezi Magic channel and to sum up the scrutiny arose a question now being echoed by many: “Zambezi Magic or Mzansi Magic?”
MultiChoice Zambia has an answer to the many similar concerns raised by the viewers through public relations manager Mwiika Malindima as he said:
“We have seen through your column the TV Review concerns from our viewers and our esteemed clients on especially the content on Zambezi Magic channel 160.
It is true that there is more South African content on the channel of which many are known and liked by our Zambian audience like Isidingo and Generations.
Now, that does not mean the channel will remain with mainly South African content. In fact some content on Zambezi Magic are simply place holders waiting for new content from especially Zambia.
What we wanted to do was to firstly create a platform which we have named Zambezi Magic for Zambian and Southern African countries to pore content on.
We are now pleased that the channel has successfully been launched in the country where its name is derived from (Zambia) and all that we now need is the Zambian film industry to take up the challenge.
If there are movies with quality picture, sound and an interesting story line or any appealing and creative magazine and talk shows, why not submit them to our offices because as I speak there is more than enough room on the channel.”
Mwiika says viewers are assured of quality, interesting and intriguing content from Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and other southern African region to take centre-stage on the channel very soon.
Zambian film producers have since been challenged and indeed those creative minds are hereby challenged by MultiChoice Zambia to forward content to their office.
Now away from the world of Zambezi Magic, I have been asked several times by DStv subscribers especially ardent fans of Africa’s biggest reality show Big Brother Africa.
This is July, going into August but no mention on the call to entry for the continental reality show?
This concern came strongly from one Miriam Zimba, who says MultiChoice should tell her when she will be tuning to channel 198 for her favorite reality show.
“If the house burnt last year they had the entire year to reconstruct another one, I want to see Big Brother Africa on the screen this year,” she says.
I think Mwiika and his team will be able to give you an answer Miriam and many others who have been asking about the show. Mwiika tell the viewers, is Big Brother Africa 2015 on or not?
From the grapevine though, I am told there will be no Big Brother Africa this year, but this is not official as I have earlier stated that we will wait for Mwiika and his team to give us the correct and authenticated position.
From the local front, I am getting a little worried with the changes on the dates of the ZNBC annual Born and Bred Award hosted by one Innocent Kalaluka.
The earlier date that we saw was July 17 but on Wednesday night, ZNBC corporate affairs manager Masuzyo Ndhlovu was on their main news announcing that the show will be happening next month on 22nd.
Changes of dates in most cases compromise the original idea. Less are the times that postponements get to yield positive results hence the worry.
Finally let me share with you a concern from one parent who only referred to herself as Mrs I.
Mrs I writes: “Hi Sam, It’s so distressing watching adverts on TV that revolve around stealing.
Is there no bureau to regulate these adverts that have become rampant on our local television nowadays? How do you have grown-ups stealing biscuits or sweets? Sometimes you will see adverts revolving around children bulling each other over biscuits or sweets.
Surely what are we teaching our children through such adverts?
Mrs I”
Thank you so much Mrs I for your observation which I personally agree with. It seems there is no gate-keeper at some of these television stations.
ZNBC being a public broadcaster and leader in local television industry would have been leading by example by rejecting such adverts that would eventually corrupt the morals of youths.
Unfortunately, the National Broadcaster is a major culprit in this as I have severally seen these kinds of adverts on their screens.
Let’s end here today with a serious thought on the adverts that are meant to sale the product and not corrupt children’s innocent minds.
Let’s continue interacting.
Tex 0955362470 samphiri77@gmail.com