M-Net will bring out a new interactive youth channel, with content that will be viewed on TVs and cellphones. Vuzu, which is expected to start broadcasting in July, will also be supported by an online social networking site.
“TV is reinventing itself and we are looking forward to working with all sectors of the local industry to create new and innovative ways to thrive in this fast-evolving environment,” says Vuzu channel director Yolisa Phahle.
Phahle explains the channel will provide a platform for young people to have access to entertainment on their phones, PCs and TVs. Vuzu will replace the current youth channel, GO Channel.
Streaming African cinema
The new youth channel comes as M-Net Electronic Media prepares to open a video-on-demand (VOD) service that will be used to stream more than 450 African films the broadcaster bought for $40 000 (R344 000) each.
An M-Net statement says the VOD streaming service will have its own Web site where subscribers, from around the African continent, will pay between $10 and $20 (R86 and R172) a month to view content.
“Initially, all films will be in English or with English sub-titles, but francophone and lusophone versions will follow shortly,” says Mike Dearham, M-Net head of sales and African film library acquisition.
M-Net says it has digitised a number of the films which it purchased for the service, which will help protect the collection of African cinema films from the kind of decay acetate will suffer over 25 years.
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