Monday, July 28, 2014

GALAXY OF STARS: 'By investing billions of rand in compelling local content we're able to tell stories that resonate with audiences,' says Yolisa Phahle, M-Net SA CEO.


"By investing literally billions of rand in compelling local content across the continent, we're able to tell stories that resonate with our audiences - not only reflecting the current reality, but also affecting their hopes and dreams for the future," said Yolisa Phahle, the new M-Net CEO for South Africa at M-Net and MultiChoice's Galaxy of Stars celebration event.

M-Net and MultiChoice's Galaxy of Stars was held on Saturday evening at Gallagher Estate.

The Randburg-based South African pay-TV broadcaster and the satellite pay-TV platform running the DStv service, celebrated the billion rand annual investment they're making into local TV content and growing the local television industry in the country and across the African continent.

Galaxy of Stars as a made-for-TV event will be broadcast on M-Net (DStv 101) and Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on Saturday 9 August at 14:00 and 21:30.

"Quite rightly we tell local stories in our own languages. M-Net's passion for the continent we call home, translates into an investment of over R1 billion a year," said Yolisa Phahle.

Yolisa Phahle was addressing the 400 strong audience consisting out of South Africa's top TV talent both on-screen, as well the TV executives and producers working behind the scenes across various of the M-Net supplied TV channels to DStv. Seated in the audience were also government officials, TV guilds and union representatives, as well as TV critics and press.

"This investment of R1 billion a year is not only in the people, but it is also in the infrastructure," said Yolisa Phahle.

"Most important of all is our continued commitment to the transformation of our industry. Because I believe that all sustainable business is a consequence of not just serving your immediate consumers or viewers or customers."

"I know that the way to do well, is to make sure that you serve not only consumers, not only customers, but communities, cities, and your country," said Yolisa Phahle.

"It is in this way, with your continued co-operation, collaboration, that together we can create a long-lasting film and television industry in Africa, for Africans".