Brighton Zimidzi
The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Cooperation (ZBC) has released a statement in which its about to launch another Television Channel that it intends to call the Zimbabwe National Television (ZNTV).
The state run cooperation was given six licenses after the liberalisation of airwaves that have seen the birth of six private television stations and several radio stations. So far, ZBC runs Zimbabwe Television (ZTV) formally TV1, Jive TV which is strictly a musical channel and a 24 hour news channel.
The statement does not say what type of content the ZNTV will carry, though it is assumed by media watchers that it will ape National FM in focusing on the so called minority languages in terms of coverage
We publish the ZBC statement below:
Take Notice that, in terms of section 10 (11) of the Broadcasting Services Act [Chapter 12:06], the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Cooperation hereby publishes its license for the provision of a new Television Channel called Zimbabwe National Television (ZNTV).
Meanwhile here are responses from tweeps:
@rvheriwa tweeted
“Just another Zbc surrogate. Why dont you give licenses to independent broadcasters? 43 years with 1 tv channel, munotyei what are you afraid of?”
@ptawengwa wrote:
“This means nothing to those of us who are qualified in film & TV but have only found opportunities & worth overseas because you staff these institutions with people who don’t know the craft. They are not interested in making them profitable & ideas meet resistance when we engage. “
@El_jefe_samaita said
” Zimbabwe was one of the 1st few countries in Africa to have a TV station. ZanuPf has failed dismally at maintaining the legacy they inherited…..even the license is an embarrassment, and he speaks volumes of how back the corporation now is”
@Millionairebay tweeted
“We have moved on from you .. in Zim zbc is naw a society class distinguisher. Those without smart TV and DStv will be subjected to watching zbc while the majority enjoys premium content they choose”.
@soulGSK
“Fortunately no-one watches or tunes in to that state controlled organisation. People are watching satellite television and streaming.”