While Saffron TV from the Times Media group on MultiChoice's DStv couldn't cut it and closed down at the end of August, Glow TV has now started on Platco Digital's OpenView HD (OVHD) free-to-air satellite TV platform in South Africa targeting Indian viewers.
Glow TV will try to reach and cater to South Africa's growing Indian population of 1,3 million people.
Glow TV is a partnership between Kagiso Media and Nolava Television. Glow TV broadcasts programming sourced from India, Brazil and the United States and plans to introduce South African TV content on the channel from March 2014 which will be produced by Kagiso Media majority-owned subsidiary, Urban Brew Studios.
"Our primary target market is the South African Indian audience between the ages of 20 and 45 years," says Yusuf Nabee, Glow TV channel head. "We believe that our content has great crossover appeal and will attract audiences across the South African market."
Glow TV broadcasts show such as The Kumars at No 42, and Koffee with Karan, a talk show with celebrity guests and a cooking show with chef Sanjeev Kapoor.
"We will look at content in all languages - our main criteria are compelling entertainment and high production values. Glow is a cleverly tailored offering that brings comedy, drama, movies, reality, food and game shows, in one easy-to-access, free-to-air offering," says Yusuf Nabee.
English subtitles will be provided where programming is broadcast in other languages.
"We've created very successful African language television channels for our partners, but this is the first time we're making an investment in creating our own channel," says Mark Harris, Kagiso Media CEO.
Urban Brew Studios currently packages the DUmisa and One Gospel TV channels for MultiChoice's DStv and manages the community TV channels; Soweto TV, Bay TV and 1KZN on behalf of the communities which hold the licenses.
