C-suite changes at MultiChoice and SuperSport as Nyiko Shiburi moves to head up new tech division, Marc Jury is in as new MultiChoice SA CEO and Rendani Ramovha is groomed as new SuperSport CEO.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice South Africa CEO Nyiko Shiburi is relinquishing the role after three years to head up a newly-created technology division at the Randburg-based pay-TV company with SuperSport CEO Marc Jury becoming the new MultiChoice SA CEO.

Teix Texeira is stepping in as interim SuperSport CEO for a year, while Rendani Ramovha, the head of marketing and commercial for SuperSport, is being groomed for the SuperSport CEO position which he will take over from April 2024 as SuperSport CEO-designate.

In response to media query, MultiChoice told TVwithThinus on Friday afternoon that Nyiko Shiburi is exiting his position as MultiChoice SA CEO and becoming MultiChoice group chief technology officer.

For the past few weeks insiders have also told TVwithThinus about planned C-suite executive changes coming to various countries within the MultiChoice Africa fold - notably Kenya, Angola and MultiChoice's overall team of regional African executives, but MultiChoice didn't confirm any of these changes on Friday.

MultiChoice says that it is garden-walling its broadcast technology division, enterprise business systems, group digital, DStv streaming technology and project management office under one division, with Nyiko Shiburi moving over as MultiChoice chief technology officer.

"We are repositioning our technology area to lead our next growth phase and to deliver on our vision of becoming the technology platform of choice for African households. We have consolidated everything related to technology, engineering, and technical divisions into a technology hub," says Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice group CEO.

"Nyiko has extensive leadership experience in the technology space, having grown within the MultiChoice ranks from senior manager for broadcast engineering and group GM for the broadcast technology division."

"His technology background and experience together with his commercial experience from having ran SA and the Southern region places him in good stead to lead this new division and deliver the best technology to achieve our goals."

Nyiko Shiburi's seat is filled by SuperSport CEO Marc Jury as the new MultiChoice SA CEO.

"Marc has a track record of excellence in execution in SuperSport. He has extensive experience in leadership roles across the sports and entertainment sectors in Europe, Africa and the Middle East," says Calvo Mawela.

Prior to being SuperSport CEO, Marc Jury was responsible for the commercial aspects of SuperSport which included managing sports-related programming across the SuperSport channels and marketing the content of these channels.

SuperSport changes

Rendani Ramovha is now SuperSport CEO-designate and will take over a year from now in April 2024.

He is currently head of marketing and commercial, responsible for driving the commercial growth and building partnerships opportunities for SuperSport across the African continent.

Calvo Mawela says "Rendani has driven some of the most exciting innovations within SuperSport, including SuperSport Schools, SuperPicks (the BetKing and SuperSport partnership) and the SA20 Cricket League".

Teix Texeira who be the interim SuperSport CEO for the next 12 months.

Teix has been chief content officer for SuperSport over the past year, having recently re-joined SuperSport from Sky in New Zealand, where he occupied various leadership roles including CEO of Sky Sports. Within SuperSport he has previously held several roles, including head of productions and head of channels.

"We are excited about this new leadership team and believe they will play a key role in our journey to become a technology platform of choice," Calvo Mawela says.

2022's 4th DStv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards: Lawrence Maleka to host on 25 June, nominees announced across 11 categories.

by Thinus Ferreira

On Wednesday night MultiChoice and Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) announced the nominees for 2022's 4th DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards (MVCAs) that will take place after a 2-year absence again, on 25 June at the Sun Arena in Pretoria as a live awards show ceremony on the channel.

Mzansi Magic chose Lawrence Maleka to be the host, who is also up as a nominee in the Best TV presenter category.

"We're excited to be back on stage and on-screen for the 2022 DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards," said Nyiko Shiburi, MultiChoice South Africa CEO.

The nominees for the 2022 DStv Mzansi Viewers' Choice Awards are:

Favourite song

Zakes Bantwini and Kasango – Osama

Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa ft Ami Faku – Asibe Happy

Young Stunna ft Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa – Adiwele

Makhadzi ft Prince Benza – Ghanama

Big Zulu ft Intaba Yase Dubai and Riky Rick – Imali Eningi

Favourite TV presenter

Motshidisi Mohono

Lawrence Maleka

Leanne Manas

Thembekile Mrototo

Thuso Motaung

Favourite comedian

Skhumba Hlophe

Mpho Popps

Celeste Ntuli

Nina Hastie

Mashabela

Favourite rising star

Hope Mbhele

Young Stunna

Uncle Vinny

Daliwonga

Kwenzo Ngcobo

Favourite radio personality

Thomas Msengana and Skhumba

Selby "Selbeyonce" Mkhize

Lerato Kganyago

Thando Thabethe

Sphectacula & DJ Naves

Favourite actor

Abdul Khoza

Zolisa Xaluva

Thapelo Sebogodi

Bonko Khoza

Vusi Kunene

Favourite actress

Sannah Mchunu

Zikhona Sodlaka

Deli Malinga

Shoki Mmola

Thembi Seete

Favourite music artist/group

Makhadzi

Hle

Zakes Bantwini

Big Zulu

Scorpion Kings

Favourite DJ

Scorpion Kings

DBN Gogo

Major League DJz

De Mthuda

DJ Shimza

Favourite sports personality

Rassie Erasmus

Ntando Mahlangu

Pitso Mosimane

Temba Bavuma

Benni McCarthy

Favourite personality

Makhadzi

Shauwn Mkhize

Connie Ferguson 

DBN Gogo

LaSizwe

ALSO READ: MultiChoice and Mzansi Magic bring back the DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards in 2022 for a 4th edition after 2-year absence.

MultiChoice confirms addition of NBCUniversal's DreamWorks channel, will add another movie channel later in 2022.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice that is taking away the set of e.tv channels except for eNCA (DStv 403) and e.tv from 1 April confirmed on Wednesday that it's adding the DreamWorks kids TV channel from NBCUniversal, and will be adding another movie channel later in 2022.

MultiChoice is axing the eMovies, eMovies Extra, eExtra and eToonz channels from eMedia Investments from April, with these channels that will remain available on eMedia's Openview satellite service.

MultiChoice confirmed what TVwithThinus reported in mid-February, that NBCUniversal's DreamWorks kids channel, axed on China's StarTimes and StarSat, is being added to DStv soon, with DreamWorks that will be placed on DStv channel 304.

A revived KIX action channel is being made available to DStv Family and DStv Access viewers from 31 March on DStv channel 114.

"We constantly review our channel offering on DStv in line with our viewer's needs," says Nyiko Shiburi, MultiChoice SA CEO, in a statement.

"Although these four eMedia channels will no longer be available on DStv, customers still have access to a wide range of entertainment which includes 200 channels of movies, dramas, sport, kids, news, reality, and so much more."

MultiChoice was asked for comment in a media query regarding the removal of eMovies, eMovies Extra, eExtra and eToonz from DStv from April, why it decided not to renew the carriage agreement for these specific channels and what research or financial reasons informed the decision.

Comment will be added here when received.

MultiChoice is removing the 4 channels from DStv on the same day that its annual price increase for DStv subscriptions for 2022 comes into effect.

The removal of eMedia's channels from DStv, with the exception of eNCA and e.tv, means that all of e.tv's TV channels carried on DStv are being taken away.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice loses 4 eMedia channels from April, will continue to have eNCA and e.tv on DStv.

ALSO READ: DreamWorks axed on StarTimes and StarSat across Africa.

MultiChoice cracks down on password-sharing, limits DStv streaming to one device.

by Thinus Ferreira

In an attempt to crack down on password-sharing and pirate-viewing, MultiChoice will limit DStv video streaming to one device at a time from 22 March.

From 22 March MultiChoice will no longer allow a DStv subscriber to stream DStv Catch Up content - either library content or a linear TV channel as a live stream - on more than one device at the same time.

ALSO READ: No more soaps and soccer at the same time: DStv subscribers outraged over MultiChoice's live-stream limiting decision.

MultiChoice only told its own staffers on Tuesday about the decision, shortly before posting a notification to DStv subscribers on the MultiChoice website. 

MultiChoice didn't bother to tell the media or to communicate through emailing a basic press release detailing the changes from its own corporate communications team or the two PR companies, Duma Collective or JR Communications that MultiChoice has on retainer and pay to liaise with the media.

In a memorandum to MultiChoice staff on Tuesday, Nyiko Shiburi, MultiChoice South Africa CEO said that streaming services like that which MultiChoice provides, are challenged by password-sharing and piracy.

"This has a devastating effect on the growth of the entertainment industry generally. Therefore, streaming providers are compelled to take steps to address these activities."

Nyiko Shiburi said that MultiChoice is clamping down on allowing its customers from watching more than one live stream from 22 March 2022 and that "We will be communicating to customers regarding this today".

On its DStv website, MultiChoice later on Tuesday said "Password sharing and piracy are challenges for streaming providers globally".

"As part of our ongoing efforts to counteract password sharing and piracy, while continuing to bring you the best viewing experience, we will be introducing measures to limit concurrent streaming. From 22 March 2022 customers will be limited to streaming DStv on one device at a time. They will still be able to watch previously downloaded content on a second device."

MultiChoice says the change is being made to all DStv subscriptions across Africa but that "only customers making use of more than one concurrent stream will be directly affected by the change."

MultiChoice says the pay-TV operator "will not limit the number of people using a login, however, we are limiting (to one) the number of people who can stream at the same time."

If for instance, someone in a household is watching live streaming of a linear TV channel, someone else in the household won't be able to watch an episode of a series on another device or do binge-watching.

MultiChoice says that offline viewing is not impacted by this change and that the number of devices a DStv subscriber can have registered for streaming does not change with up to 4 registered devices that are allowed.

Showmax subscribers are not impacted and the change only applies when streaming DStv.

ALSO READ: No more soaps and soccer at the same time: DStv subscribers outraged over MultiChoice's live-stream limiting decision.

ALSO READ: What DStv's digital one-stream viewing limit is - and isn't.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice Q&A on new DStv live-stream limit clampdown: No 'family plan' for DStv streaming.

ALSO READ: Analysts: 'Complete lack of foresight': MultiChoice in trouble without sport and local content while its new live-stream clampdown limit to just 1 stream might force DStv subscribers to rivals like Netflix.

MultiChoice once again increasing DStv prices in South Africa for 2022 from April but not by as much as in previous years.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice is doing another annual price increase in 2022 for DStv subscribers in South Africa that will come in effect from April with DStv customers who will have to pay more.

MultiChoice claims that the price increase follows "a period of increased value offerings from DStv in the form of local and international general entertainment and sports content, DStv Internet and DStv Rewards".

MultiChoice spokesperson Francois Rank earlier this week told TVwithThinus that it would release the 2022 DStv price hike information as embargoed information beforehand to certain media in order for questions to be sent to the company about this year's increase, but failed to do so.

When MultiChoice revealed the 2022 DStv price increases on Tuesday, MultiChoice also failed to send all media the press release.

MultiChoice will make all DStv subscribers pay more in 2022. From April, DStv Premium subscribers will pay R839 or 1.21% ( R10) more per month.

DStv Compact Plus is increasing with R10 (1.86%) from R549 to R559. DStv Compact s increasing R20 (4.89%) from R409 to R429. DStv Family is increasing R14 (4.75%) from R295 to R309. DStv Access is increasing R5 (4.35%) from R115 to R120.

MultiChoice is also increasing the Access Fee by R5 to R110 per month.

DStv Easyview is remaining unchanged at R29 per month.

MultiChoice is keeping the pricing of Showmax, Add Movies and DStv BoxOffice unchanged for 2022 for South Africa.

MultiChoice says in its press release that the "2.7% weighted adjustment across all of DStv's offerings for 2022 is significantly lower" than consumer inflation which is 4.9%.

MultiChoice says in its 2022 price increase press statement that "DStv has considered the challenges facing South African consumers and has once again absorbed as much of the increase of the cost of doing business as possible in order to implement minimal adjustments".

Nyiko Shiburi, MultiChoice South Africa CEO, says "We realise that customers remain under pressure two years into the Covid-19 pandemic. These adjustments will help us to ensure that South Africans continue to enjoy the best value, and unrivalled access to entertainment, anywhere, anytime, and at the most affordable price.".

"We are driving the African storytelling agenda by creating locally rooted content with a growing global appeal, developing unique content that resonates with our subscribers."

"This year subscribers can look forward to more sparkling entertainment and sport like the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Springboks' incoming and outgoing tours and the Rugby Championship. Customers can also look forward to continued savings thanks to discounts on our DStv Internet bundles."

ALSO READ: TV CRITIC's NOTEBOOK. How MultiChoice (once again) made a mess of its 2022 DStv price increase announcement as media are desperate for just some type of clarity amidst ongoing communications chaos and confusion.

MultiChoice opens application process for R20 million in student bursaries for 2022.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice has opened the application process for R20 million in bursaries for students for the 2022 academic year that will help 200 students in all years of study.

Students are eligible to apply for a MultiChoice bursary if they are a South African citizen, are registered at a South African local institute of higher learning, and meet the eligibility and qualifying requirements as indicated on the application form.

Applications for a MultiChoice bursary for 2022 closes on 15 February 2022.

MultiChoice's bursary scheme will benefit around 200 students and students in all years of study can apply, including students who have enrolled for their first post-graduate degree that is focused on the STEM discipline (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

This is especially applicable to students in the fields of actuarial science, electrical, electronic and information engineering, computer science and applied mathematics, information technology (AI and robotics), data and information science, as well as digital media technologies.

For MultiChoice's 2022 bursary scheme, 10 students will receive their funding through the Nomzamo Lighthouse Foundation. 

The bursaries extend beyond tuition fees and include registration fees, accommodation costs, and an annual living allowance, the group said.

"As technological developments continue to advance at a rapid pace, there is a critical need for a dynamic workforce in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in order for our country to keep up with the rest of the world," says Nyiko Shiburi, MultiChoice South Africa CEO.

"We see the value in opening doors for youth to build the skills within our industry, shaping the professionals who will lead us into the future."

CORONAVIRUS. MultiChoice opens a building basement Covid-19 vaccination site at its Randburg complex for pay-TV group's Gauteng staffers.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice in South Africa has started a Covid-19 vaccination programme for its South African employees and has created a vaccination site in the basement of its MultiChoice Explora building in Randburg for staffers of the pay-TV company who want to get vaccinated there.

South Africa is battling a devastating third wave of the global Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic with the country that shifted back to an adjusted Lockdown level 3 since Monday this week.

MultiChoice's vaccination site in Randburg is staffed by health professionals from the Wits Health Consortium.

"The goal of the national vaccine campaign is to significantly reduce the spread of the virus in a bid to return our society to normality. Vaccinating our employees will help increase the number of South Africans that are vaccinated and make a meaningful contribution to this goal. We want to play our part in the fight against COVID-19," says Nyiko Shiburi, MultiChoice SA CEO.

MultiChoice's vaccination site follows the South African government's age group-based rollout, starting with people aged 35 years and older. 

MultiChoice staffers who have already received their first Pfizer jab as part of the government rollout can receive their second jab at the MultiChoice vaccination site. MultiChoice will also make regional vaccination sites available later in provinces outside of Gauteng.

In new agreement community TV channels Mpuma Kapa TV and 1KZN TV will give Newzroom Afrika exclusive news content with the TV news channel that will give them newsroom training after MultiChoice funding.

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African TV news channel Newzroom Afrika (DStv 405) has signed a content sharing and training agreement with the two community TV channels, Mpuma Kapa TV (DStv 260) in the Eastern Cape, and 1KZN TV (DStv 261 / StarSat 486) in KwaZulu-Natal, with both channels that will provide Newzroom Afrika with content and with the TV news channel that will give them training.

Newzroom Afrika says that its "national and continental positioning will assist in providing both channels with a much greater audience reach". 

Newzroom Afrika will give Mpuma Kapa TV and 1 KZN TV editorial training and newsroom mentorship, after MultiChoice gave the community TV channels money.

In exchange, Mpuma Kapa TV and 1KZN TV will produce exclusive content for Newzroom Afrika and provide it with unspecified "news services".

1KZN TV and Mpuma Kapa TV will offer live coverage of breaking news from rural areas, participate in interviews through studio-to-studio live feeds, and package news inserts for broadcast on Newzroom Afrika.

MultiChoice has given both 1KZN TV and Mpuma Kapa TV money in the form of grants to improve their news coverage capability and to establish news bureaus in their respective provinces.

The MultiChoice money will be used to cover production equipment such as cameras, lighting, sound and computers, as well as training and technical support.

Thabile Ngwato, Newzroom Afrika CEO, in a statement says "Our vision to be Africa’s leading, credible news and information service will continue to be reflected in this new initiative. Supporting regional channels is a key portion of our overall strategy, which sees us delivering world-class offerings at every touchpoint".

Edwin Mncwango, 1KZN TV CEO, says "In its quest to provide an authentic voice to the people of KwaZulu-Natal, 1KZN TV has been wanting to expand its news coverage. This partnership – made possible by MultiChoice – will enable us to do just that, whilst also building our capacity through professional training and assistance".

Motse Mfuleni, Chairperson of the Board at Mpuma Kapa TV, says "Mpuma Kapa TV is excited to be part of this new venture, as we open up the Eastern Cape to the country and continent".

"As the leading broadcaster in the province, our news bureau can now open opportunities to train and shape a new generation of journalists and news reporters from the Eastern Cape."

Nyiko Shiburi, MultiChoice South Africa CEO, says "Regional TV stations are the lifeline for news and stories in their communities".

"We are committed to supporting and enabling them to improve the quality of broadcasting at grassroots level. Their partnerships with Newzroom Afrika will elevate local news to a national stage.  Our hyperlocal strategy is about growing and telling local stories and through this initiative, we are seeing it in action."

MultiChoice adds YouTube as a video streaming app to its DStv Explora Ultra decoder.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice has added YouTube as another video streaming app to its DStv Explora Ultra decoder alongside Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Showmax and DStv BoxOffice.

Some of the world's biggest new subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) services like Disney+ and HBO Max remain unavailable, very likely due to existing multi-year content output deals that MultiChoice and M-Net have with The Walt Disney Company and WarnerMedia that will first have to expire.

The YouTube app can be accessed by selecting the Apps button on the DStv remote control.

"DStv subscribers can now watch YouTube, where every day people watch over a billion hours of video, including music videos, short and documentary films, live streams and video blogs," says Nyiko Shiburi, MultiChoice South Africa CEO.

"The addition of YouTube to the DStv Explora Ultra builds on DStv’s ambition to be a one-stop video entertainment hub, giving our customers more convenience and choice to access local and international content on a single device," says Nyiko Shiburi.

With the DStv Explora Ultra's Discovery And Launch protocol, viewers can play YouTube videos from a second device, for instance a smartphone, directly on a TV screen connected to the decoder, without any pairing process that is required.

MultiChoice says that "This makes it easier to watch shared or archived content from a secondary device of choice".

Alex Okosi, managing director for YouTube for emerging markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), says that "Joining DStv Explora Ultra will enable subscribers in sub-Saharan Africa, one of our fastest growing markets, to watch the millions of hours of amazing content from Africa and around the world on YouTube".

MultiChoice's 2021 price hike: Here is what you will be paying for DStv from April 2021 in South Africa.

by Thinus Ferreira

Unlike other African nations that earlier this year saw a decoder and subscription fee price reduction, MultiChoice in South Africa will again increase its prices for 2021 for South Africa's DStv subscribers, with the annual price hike that will in effect from April and with consumers of all 5 of the biggest DStv packages who will all be paying more and with DStv BoxOffice movie rentals going up from R35 to R40. 

DStv Premium will increase from R819 to R829, DStv Compact Plus will increase from R529 to R539, DStv Compact will go from R399 to R409, DStv Family subscribers who paid R279 will pay R295, and DStv Access subscription fees will increase from R110 to R115 per month from April.

The DStv Access fee will increase to R105 per month, while DStv BoxOffice rentals will go up by R5 per movie to R40. The pricing of Showmax and the recently launched "Add Movies" add-on package will remain unchanged for 2021.

This means that the DStv Premium subscription fee is increasing by 1.22%, DStv Compact Plus is increasing by 1.89%, DStv Compact is rising by 2.51%, DStv Access is increasing by 4.55% and that DStv Family is increasing by 5.73%.

While the percentage of DStv Premium subscribers as part of the total base continues to decline since those customers no longer see the top-tier product as offering enough value, MultiChoice is facing ever greater competition from video streaming services like Netflix SA, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, VIU, Vodacom Video Play and TelkomONE with several other international streamers who are still set to launch in South Africa.

MultiChoice South Africa's price hike comes as MultiChoice Africa recently lowered subscription fees and DStv decoder prices in other African countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia and Uganda and said that because of countries' struggling economies and Covid-19 that it considered "a price reduction in a bid to ease our customers' burden and cushion them against financial distress".

In response to a media enquiry on Thursday about its 2021 price increase for South Africa, MultiChoice said that "DStv has once again absorbed much of the increase in costings from content providers and bolstered the value and rewards for customers".

"Although annual price adjustments are a less-than-favourable feature of any consumer landscape, DStv believes that South Africans continue to require education, information, and entertainment at the best possible price."

Nyiko Shiburi, MultiChoice SA CEO, says "Given the resurgence of the global Covid-19 pandemic, and the considerable impact this has had on consumers, we appreciate that our subscribers remain under pressure".

"For this reason, we have endeavoured to keep prices adjustments to the minimum and bolster value and rewards to ensure our customers continue to enjoy unrivalled access to entertainment, anywhere, anytime, and at the most affordable price."

MultiChoice made a graph to reflect the annual DStv Premium and DStv Compact price adjustments over the past few years, compared with inflation:

ALSO READ: MultiChoice drops the DStv Explora Ultra decoder price, as well as decoder prices and subscription fees elsewhere in Africa, as 2021’s annual subscription hike looms for South African subscribers.

ALSO READ: Greedy MultiChoice 'doesn't get it' that DStv has become too expensive says independent analyst.

MultiChoice adds Amazon Prime Video to its carousel of video streaming services on its DStv Explora Ultra decoder, meaning DStv subscribers will be able to see 'the world's most expensive show'.

by Thinus Ferreira

As expected MultiChoice announced on Tuesday that it is adding Amazon Prime Video as a video streaming service to its latest DStv Explora Ultra decoder.

The addition of Amazon Prime Video comes after MultiChoice added Netflix SA to its new decoder box last month.

The addition of Amazon Prime Video to MultiChoice's carousel of subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) means that the pan-African pay-TV operator will be able to keep crucial "bragging rights" to new international content that has been in danger of slipping away as streamers are making shows for their own platforms that they are not making available through their usual international distribution channels.

MultiChoice will now, for instance, be able to claim that it will be able to offer "the world's most expensive show", the upcoming Lord of the Rings series currently filming in New Zealand, in partnership with Amazon Prime Video. Without Amazon Prime Video, DStv subscribers would not have been able to see this much-awaited production.

There is no word yet on whether MultiChoice has any plans to add Disney+, discovery+, HBO Max, Paramount+ or any of the other flurry of international streaming services not yet available in South Africa.

"We are excited to add Amazon Prime Video to the DStv Explora Ultra’s pot of exceptional content," says Nyiko Shiburi, MultiChoice South Africa CEO, in a prepared statement.

"This opportunity unlocks access to more quality global content for our customers and is another way to access Amazon Prime Video content, whilst complementing DStv’s promise to offer the very best in local content.”

Similar to Netflix South Africa, DStv subscribers who have an existing Amazon Prime Video account can just log in through the DStv Explora Ultra. New Amazon Prime Video subscribers can open the app on the DStv Explora Ultra's homepage where they can sign up.

Unlike Netflix SA where the subscription fee is added in rand to the DStv subscriber's existing monthly bill, Amazon Prime Video will be billing customers directly - in order words, the subscription cost will not be forming part of the DStv bill.

Lorato Mwape promoted and appointed as MultiChoice Botswana managing director.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Africa has promoted and appointed Lorato Mwape as MultiChoice Botswana managing director to oversee the pay-TV operator's business in that country.

Lorato Mwape has been MultiChoice Botswana's head of customer care and experience since she was appointed in this role at the company in April 2019.

"I am delighted to announce the appointment of Lorato Mwape as Managing Director of MultiChoice Botswana," says Nyiko Shiburi, Southern Africa regional director of MultiChoice in a statement, and who himself is soon taking over as new MultiChoice South Africa CEO.

"During her time with the business, Lorato Mwape has launched a number of innovations geared towards the best interest of the customer, such as a home delivery service, which offered a unique solution to DStv Botswana subscribers during a time of significant need."

Lorato Mwape says "In each and every role I have undertaken in my professional career, my mandate has always been to create solutions to everyday problems that supersede both the internal and external customer’s expectations".

"I’ve learnt that the only way to achieve this is through listening, learning and improving. Through my own work, passion and drive, my hope is to empower those I lead to do the same."

Prior to her joining MultiChoice Botswana, Lorato Mwape has worked in the roles of service quality manager, customer care service & quality manager, retail manager and call centre manager in her over 18 years of experience within the telecommunications space.

Lorato Mwape also holds a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in marketing management from MANCOSA, an Honours diploma in applied management and business skills from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, and a certificate in management.

TV NEWS ROUND-UP. Today's interesting TV stories to read - 16 October 2020.

Here's the latest news about TV that I read and that you should read too:  

■ MultiChoice makes top-exec appointments: Nyiko Shiburi is new MultiChoice SA CEO, Marc Jury is SuperSport CEO; Clement O'Reilly to oversee HR, Fhulu Badugela new Southern Africa director.

■ Cricket South Africa and the SABC still in the dark about England tour TV coverage with no contract in place.

- Race to get cricket tour broadcast deal signed.

■ Sport and Entertainment International (SPI) tries to break through in South Africa as a new sports streaming service, will start with boxing on Saturday night as it tries to disrupt the traditional sports television market .

■ WarnerMedia dumps its HBO and WB TV channels in India, Pakistan, Maldives, Bangladesh and other South Asia markets.

■ Has Peak TV already peaked?

American television has had to compete with the deranged reality show that is the Donald Trump era, and now viewers have a million viewing options - and a lot less worth watching.

■ The changing face of TV in the time of Covid (subscription required).

■ Netflix's original shows are rarely popular.

Netflix still struggling to wean itself off other companies' hit TV shows.

■ Disney's new corporate structure makes it a lot more like Netflix.

■ MultiChoice Kenya signs an agreement with Kenya's draconian censorship board.

■ Women are rewriting some of the rules of Bollywood thanks to Amazon Prime Video and Netflix.

■ Why Africa's TV animation scene is booming.

■ In the United Kingdom where Sky offers Netflix as part of its pay-TV service, it is now offering Netflix for free in an early Black Friday deal.

■ 5 reasons why Nigerian television doesn't show public protests: Lack of imagination, fear of government.

■ The streaming TV news war is heating up.

Organisations are mounting a fierce and increasingly well-funded battle for streaming-news supremacy.

■ Citizen TV still the most-watched TV channel in Kenya.

■ "Give us the horny Lord of the Rings show we deserve."

Amazon Prime Video put out an open casting call for its New Zealand-filmed fantasy drama series looking for actors "who must be comfortable with nudity".

BREAKING. MultiChoice makes top-exec appointments: Nyiko Shiburi is new MultiChoice SA CEO, Marc Jury is SuperSport CEO; Clement O'Reilly to oversee HR, Fhulu Badugela new Southern Africa director.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice has appointed Nyiko Shiburi as new MultiChoice South Africa CEO, replacing Mark Rayner; with Marc Jury taking over from Gideon Khobane as SuperSport CEO from 1 December.

Gideon Khobane will now move into the position as MultiChoice's group executive for general entertainment. In his new role he will be reporting directly to Yolisa Phahle who remains in her position as MultiChoice's chief executive of general entertainment & connected video.

Clement O’Reilly, who is presently head of total reward & operations for MultiChoice Africa, has been appointed as MultiChoice's group executive head of human resources.

Simon Camerer, currently MultiChoice's chief customer officer, has been appointed as MultiChoice South Africa chief operating officer (COO).

MultiChoice hasn't yet issued any public statement yet about the pay-TV operator's latest string of top-level executive changes.

Marc Jury has currently been responsible for managing negotiations and acquiring all sports-related programming across the SuperSport channels, as well as overseeing the marketing of that content, and is now upped into the SuperSport CEO position.

In an internal email to MultiChoice staffers, Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice Group CEO, says that Nyiko Shiburi who has been MultiChoice's Southern Africa regional director for the past 2 and a half years "has proven to be an extremely competent executive and has had to navigate the complexity of multiple territories and multiple businesses each uniquely different and uniquely complex".

Nyiko Shiburi who started at MultiChoice in 2007 as a project manager for its now-defunct DStv Mobile service, has gone on to manage the Southern Africa region outside of South Africa where, according to MultiChoice "he ably dealt with macro issues such as economic meltdown, drought that impacted electricity supply, tax issues, currency devaluations, regulatory issues, acquiring new licences, political and people challenges, and has shown resilience and nimbleness".

Fhulu Badugela, a former MultiChoice Africa human resources group executive head, has been appointed as MultiChoice's new Southern Africa director in Nyiko Shiburi's position.

Calvo Mawela says Fhulu Badugela's "leadership and broader MultiChoice Group exposure has seen Fhulu achieve a great track record of leading operational excellence and enabling a high-performance culture, and will help us drive forward the MultiChoice Africa Holdings business turnaround".

About Marc Jury's appointment as SuperSport CEO, Calvo Mawela says "Marc has always had a great affinity to sport, and this together with his passion for motivating people and getting the best out of those around him makes him the best candidate for the role".

UPDATE: Friday 16 October 2020 14:46 - MultiChoice has now issued a press release through its Aprio PR company, confirming the executive appointments and changes. A MultiChoice spokesperson also said that Yolisa Phahle's role remains unchanged as CEO of general entertainment & connected video at the MultiChoice Group.

First 20 students from the MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy's Southern Africa hub graduate.

The MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), MultiChoice's film academy for sub-Saharan Africa held the graduation ceremony on Saturday for the academy's 20 students of the Southern Africa hub at the Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM) in Lusaka, Zambia where where students received their Certificate in TV and Film accredited by the University of Zambia.

Saturday's graduation ceremony of the 20 Southern Africa students at the MultiChoice Talent Factory follows the after the one in Nairobi, Kenya for the East Africa hub, with the one in Lagos, Nigeria for the West African region that will take place on 12 September.

MultiChoice set up the MultiChoice Talent Factory last year, and modelled it on M-Net's successful Magic in Motion film academy in South Africa, with three film academy hubs in Lusaka, Nairobi and Lagos.

The MultiChoice Talent Factory was launched in May 2018 to support and help grow Africa’s creative film and TV industries through the film academy as a training and skills development opportunity for young emerging filmmakers by offering a 12-month fully funded training programme.

Along with their certificates, various students from the MultiChoice Talent Factory in Southern Africa got placements and internships with the New York Film Academy College of Visual & Performing Arts (NYFA) in New York; an Indian Film Industry "Bollywood" production internship with Nihilent Limited in India, a "Nollywood" production scriptwriting internship on an Africa Magic series produced in Lagos, placement on SuperSport productions, an infinite AVID media composer license, as well as a AVID Pro Tools license by Jasco Broadcast Solutions.

The students who received certificates included Clarence Nyoni, Muchemwa Sinkala, Emmanuel Mwape, Jones Mvula, Mainala Silondwa, Racheal Mbewe and Joshua Kafumukache from Zambia; Sally Jason, Esther Beukes, Toivo Ashivudhi from Namibia; and Chimwemwe Mkwezalamba and Jonathan Kapumba from Malawi.

Serena Serene Mmifinyana and Nikita Mokgware from Botswana; Nobert Mapfoche and Rutendo Mahofa from Zimbabwe; Emanuel Gonçalves and Leandro Lima from Angola; as well as Gerson Amaral and Ludmila Mero from Mozambique were part of the group.

MultiChoice Africa fully sponsored the students' tuition, accommodation and stipend for the duration of 12 months during the film academy programme and they got to keep their laptops and cellphones they were given.

"The MultiChoice Talent Factory academy students have been provided with skillsets to develop their talent, connect with industry professionals and tell African stories through a comprehensive curriculum comprising theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in cinematography, editing, audio production and storytelling," said Nyiko Shiburi, the director of MultiChoice Southern Africa Holdings. 

"As a a company that is deeply rooted in Africa, we understand that many young, aspiring filmmakers have the capacity to learn and strengthen their skillset to give back to their communities but may not be financially equipped to do so."

"The MultiChoice Talent Factory focuses on making sure that those gems are nurtured, and their talent developed to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s creative industry."

The MultiChoice Talent Factory Southern Africa students produced two films, the romance drama Savannah Skies and the horror thriller The Painting that had their premiere screening including a press conference on Friday evening at the Ster-Kinekor at the Manda Hill mall in Lusaka that was attended by 200 invited guests.

Savannah Skies and The Paiting will  be broadcast on M-Net's channels in Southern Africa and will also be made available on MultiChoice's subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) video streaming service Showmax. 

Throughout the past year, the MultiChoice Talent Factory has partnered with various institutions and organisations to ensure the success of the initiative who have delivered expertise in various aspects of the film and television and participated in various touchpoints of the initiatives from training at the academy to upskilling industry professionals through masterclasses.

In April 2018, the MultiChoice Talent Factory partnered with the world-renowned New York Film Academy College of Visual & Performing Arts (NYFA). 

Every year, starting with the first graduating class, one graduate from each of the three hubs will get to enhance their filmmaking skills through a scholarship. The Southern Africa class of 2018's recipient is Mainala Silondwa from Zambia who gets an 8-week internship with the NYFA.

Jonathan Kapumba from Malawi was chosen to receive a 3-week Bollywood production internship. Nikita Mokgware from Botswana was chosen for the 3 to 4-week internship on an Africa Magic series produced in Nigeria.

Jasco Broadcast Solutions is also giving an AVID media composer licence to Emanuel Goncalves from Angola who was chosen as the most-promising film video editor in the Southern Africa region. The AVID Pro Tools licence for the most-promising sound engineer per region for Southern Africa was awarded to Joshua Kafumukache from Zambia. 

Two students, Nobert Mapfoche from Zimbabwe with a director position, and Emmanuel Mwape from Zambia as a producer position will be joining the SuperSport crew in Zambia after graduation.  

“From its inception, the MultiChoice Talent Factory has been a place of inspiration not only to the learners graduating today, but to many that have walked into its doors and from different walks of life," said Mabvuto Sakala, Zambia's secretary in the ministry of higher education at the graduation ceremony on Saturday in his keynote address.

"This is the place where over 100 other filmmakers have gone through high-level master classes in cinematography, sound engineering, lighting and design and storytelling to enhance their skills."

"The local film industry has also been empowered to network with colleagues of like mind from across the continent through the MTF portal that is allowing real-time sharing of ideas for the creatives."

ALSO READ: First 20 students from the MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy's East Africa hub graduate.

DATELINE - LUSAKA, ZAMBIA: MultiChoice says ultimate aim of its new MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy is to enlarge the capacity of Africa's film and TV industry, to create more creators of high-quality local video content.

MultiChoice says one of the aims of its brand-new African film academy is not just to enhance, upskill and to supply more experienced and knowledgeable producers and film makers for the continent's TV and film industry, but also to get them to ultimately produce quality pan-African local video content that MultiChoice wants, and wants to broadcast on its DStv and GOtv pay-TV platforms.

MultiChoice Africa's MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) has officially opened, running three film academy hubs for West, East and Southern Africa in respectively Lagos, Nigeria, in Nairobi, Kenya and also in Lusaka, Zambia.

The 60 students have been chosen from across 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa - excluding South Africa where M-Net is running its now 4-year old Magic in Motion Academy that the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) is based on.

Out of over 3 100 applications, 20 students were chosen for each of the three campuses of the new film academy.

During their yearlong internship the students will create local content that will be broadcast on the various M-Net channels carried on MultiChoice's DStv and GOtv satellite pay-TV platforms throughout Africa, including Africa Magic, Maisha Magic East, Maisha Magic Bongo, Zambezi Magic, Pearl Magic, M-Net and SuperSport.

It's however what happens afterward their yearlong internship and the local content that they help to create afterwards, that is of much bigger and greater importance to MultiChoice.

TVwithThinus spoke with Nyiko Shiburi, MultiChoice Africa's regional director for Southern Africa, on Thursday night at the pan-African pay-TV operator's official opening in Lusaka, who said that the purpose of the MultiChoice Talent Factory is to increase the capacity of Africa's film and TV industry to produce more and quality video content.

"We've identified that there's a gap in the industry when it comes to creating local content and telling our own African stories, by Africans."

"We really want to try and improve that. This is a way for us to really build Africa's film and TV industry, and to create that bigger capacity in this industry to tell our own stories."

"The idea is obviously that the output from this MultiChoice Talent Factory, we need to see the content that they will produce during their internship, but also long afterwards, on our platforms - that is the ultimate," said Nyiko Shiburi.


ALSO READ: MultiChoice Africa officially opens its brand-new MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy for Southern Africa.
ALSO READ: In photos: The glittering official opening gala event of MultiChoice Africa's MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy for Southern Africa.
ALSO READ: 'Their stories had us in tears'. Academy director of the Southern Africa MultiChoice Talent Factory says tales of the film students during the selection process made people cry; that their stories will help change film making in Africa. 
ALSO READ: MultiChoice urges all stakeholders in Africa's TV industry to work together to fight the growing scourge of content piracy.
ALSO READ: 'We don't want to fail. We want to make a big success out of it' - first film students of 2018's inaugural class at the MultiChoice Talent Factory film academy.