Written by Paul Adom Otchere[/caption] The story begins when the 150-year-old telecoms organization, called the International Telecoms Union (ITU), decides that globally; all television transmission must be conducted in digital as opposed to analogue broadcasting which had been the traditional method of transmission. Analogue TV and digital TV The difference is similar to the analogue mobile phones, where phone calls to a handset, did not indicate the name or number of the caller, and when phones could not send text messages across to other phones. So, just as the GSM network allowed the phones to offer information and quality of voice by showing the name of caller during a phone call and being able to send text, picture and video messages, so will digital TV offer more detail and quality of the content we will be watching. Key characteristics of digital TV *All TV stations can be seen nationwide *All TV picture and sound quality will be high and the same for every station *TV pictures will mostly be seen via a box or a decoder. How will the occurrence of digital TV appear in homes? So the system (analogue) by which we watch general free-to-air TV Chanel’s such as GTV, TV3, METRO TV and VIASAT or UTV, will be switched off as according to ITU directions. That means, we can only continue to watch TV by obtaining the decoders or boxes that will be provided in the market.
This box will have at least 40 channels. The first 20 channels will have all the 20 TV stations that we are used to watching for free. So we can now see our favourite TV stations on those 20 channels with standardized good picture and sound quality and also across the nation. The next set of 20 or more channels may be designed as pay TV channels so that people must pay per month, or in the case of special events pay per view to see those channels. What kind of content will be on the other channels? What has happened in other countries is that, the existing channels as we know them have created new platforms and migrated their most popular programs onto the other pay channels. So for instance, TV3 could create TV3 plus; and migrate their best programs to those channels. That means, a non-paying subscriber will be limited to see only the first 20 channels, which will include TV3 regular, but may not see “Ghana’s most beautiful” if that has been shifted to TV3 PLUS.Same as if VIASAT decides to migrate a program like, “at home with Joselyn Dumas” to VIASAT EXTRA on the pay side of the box, a subscriber who is non-paying; will not see that show live. The TV channels may decide to show the premium content the next day on the free channels as well. So that “Ghana most beautiful” will show live on Sunday night on TV3 PLUS; but will show the next day on Monday evening on TV3 regular etc. The other kind of content that could be made available on the pay side; is the SPECIAL EVENTS channel that will broadcast special events such as sports events (Black Stars games or Mayweather fights) movie premiere and reality shows etc. These will also be aired at high premium so that even if a subscriber is already paying, she may have to pay extra fee to see that premium content whilst non-paying subscribers will pay a bit just to see the special event content only. So that one may be a non-paying subscriber; and therefore sees only the regular 20 channels; but on a particular day, he wants to see the Black Stars game against England, he is happy to pay for that only; and return to his non-paying status, the system and decoder should allow one to see that. How close are we to full migration? Currently, the NCA appears to have completed the roll out of transmission capacity almost across the entire country, and should complete the process later in 2017, to meet the new deadline so that migration should begin with key regions in Ghana from last quarter of 2017 What is the policy to get out the decoders/boxes to the general public? Research has indicated that in Ghana, there could be about 8 million households with TV sets watching TV in the current analogue system. That means, at the outset, we will need 8 million decoders for our people to acquire. The NDC government’s published decision was to secure 1 million decoders to distribute to identifiable people who may not be able to afford to pay for boxes. The other citizens were to acquire the boxes from vendors licensed by the NCA, and who will sell different capacities of boxes from the basic to the more sophisticated, and able to conduct different application of transmission, such as recording live programs, catch up with old programs, video on demand etc. What is encryption? Encryption is understood as the system that creates a conditional access to the content from the decoder. That means some of the content is blocked until a subscriber has paid to open up access. So that is the system that will be used for the second set of twenty channels. Most likely, mobile phones will become the platform on which we will pay to get access to the encrypted content for the encrypted content. Concerns over the use of encryption The NCA seems to have adopted and expressed a policy where the encryption of the boxes will not be compulsory especially for the first 1 million boxes or the basic standard. They have defended the view that encrypting those boxes will make it expensive for government to purchase for our people (that is granting that the new NCA/Ministry adopts that policy). Why must all boxes be encrypted by a common standard set by the NCA? The boxes must be encrypted so that the subscriber can decide to pay for more content or to keep to the free content available on the box. If for instance a non-paying subscriber wants to pay to watch just a special event say a Black Stars game, he must be able to do so and return to his non-paying status until the next event that he wants to pay to see. If the first million are not encrypted, that subscriber may have to get another decoder that may have encryption into his home to see a special event or a program that he likes, that means two boxes in his home. Why must the NCA determine a common encryption standard for all boxes? The NCA must be guided by best practices, to establish a common encryption standard for all boxes within Ghana. If content providers and TV stations are allowed to engage their own encryption, this is what will happen, a subscriber will find out that his favorite program, say Ghana’s most beautiful, is on a decoder B which is encrypted, then another favorite program is on decoder C encrypted differently, then the special events is on another decoder with a separate encryption system, so the subscriber needs about 4 or 5 decoders in his home, that’s unhelpful. When we have a standardized encryption system, the subscriber can watch free to air channels, can switch to become a pay subscriber and switch back to non-paying the next month, and can also watch special events all on the same single decoder in his home. How will government generate revenue? The idea is that, government will set up a digital migration company that will manage the channels. That company will take a commission for all content encrypted. So that the more content and the more subscribers that pay for content, the more revenue at hand for government. For instance in a particular month, 10 million Ghanaians have each paid 2 cedis for content ranging from people who watched Ghana’s most beautiful on TV3 PLUS, those who viewed entertainment programs, news programs and special event programs, the government receives commissions and fees for being the spectrum operator, those monies can be used to run the system to reduce burden on tax money. How will employment be created? Because content can be monetized, more people will get into providing good quality content, as the system will birth a new and profitable industry around TV and video content. Many more music videos will be done of good quality, news type content and films will be produced and monetized for profit. This industry will spur on other connected industries like garment, food, transport, etc. Once people like the content and are happy to pay minimum fees of say 1 cedi and 2 cedis for it, the industry will be kept alive and can employ many more people. That’s how the American TV industry became great, that’s how Oprah Winfrey was created, that’s how news media in America became sustainable to facilitate good governance and democracy, that’s how reality shows produced wealthy outcomes to spur the growth of wealth in the industry. How will the advertising market benefit? The advertising system will now be able to obtain objective numbers on the ratings of programs because under digital TV, the system can produce the exact number of eyeballs that watched a TV show and the social and economic demographics to which they belong. That way, the advertiser can decide clearly where to place his adverts depending on the type of audience that he targets. It will signify the end of subjective guesswork on program ratings. Conclusions Digital television has been used to create huge industry and wealth for nations such as the US, Europe and Asia. We now have a wonderful opportunity to stop applying taxpayer’s money to pay our Sports men, as we can generate money from monetizing their content both in Ghana and abroad whenever they play as in the case of our footballers. Content monetization must be the key driver of digital migration, so, will Joe Anokye’s Anchor hold, Congratulations Sir and welcome aboard. By: Paul Adom-Otchere]]>
Radio & TV
Season Two of The HBO Original Drama Series HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Debuts June 17th on M-Net and Showmax Express from the US
The eight-episode second season of HBO Original drama series House of the Dragon debuts in the US on Sunday 16 June – and will be available on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) Express from the US at 1am on Monday 17 June and make its prime-time premiere at 7pm on the same day. The series will also be available on Showmax.
Westeros is on the brink of a bloody civil war with the Green and Black Councils fighting for King Aegon and Queen Rhaenyra, respectively. As each side believes theirs to be the rightful seat on the Iron Throne, the Green and Black trailers reflect those two perspectives in separate yet complementary halves of the same story. For global audiences, “All Must Choose” their side of House Targaryen as the realm fractures in season two.
Logline: Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series, set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” tells the story of House Targaryen.
Season two returning cast: Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Additional returning cast includes Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, and Matthew Needham.
Season two new cast: Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull, Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers, Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower, Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong, Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, and Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne.
Season two credits: Co-Creator/Executive Producer, George R.R. Martin; Co-Creator/Showrunner/Executive Producer, Ryan Condal; Executive Producers Sara Hess, Alan Taylor, Melissa Bernstein, Kevin de la Noy, Loni Peristere, Vince Gerardis. Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood.”
Pick your side of House Targaryen on your DStv or stream it on Showmax, each week from Monday, 17 June 2024.
People & Lifestyle
AMVCA: Tune In for a Night of Elegance and Achievement this Saturday on Africa Magic
The anticipation is palpable as the 10th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, scheduled for 11 May 2024, in Lagos approaches. Viewers are invited to witness the splendour of this prestigious event, broadcasting live on Africa Magic from 3pm on DStv and GOtv.
Reflecting the rich diversity and innovation of African cinema and television, this year’s awards promise some thrilling adjustments with the introduction of exciting new categories such as Best Actor and Best Actress in leading or supporting roles. With a total of 27 categories, including 16 non-voting and 9 audience voting categories, along with two esteemed recognition awards the Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer Awards – there’s ample opportunity to honour exceptional African talent.
Kicking off the festivities with a prime view of the red carpet hosted by celebrity personalities Toke Makinwa and Uti Nwachukwu viewers can watch the continent’s biggest stars strut their stuff in dazzling creations from some of Africa’s most talented fashion designers from 3pm before settling into the prestigious awards at 6pm.
The main award will be hosted by renowned television host and current host of Nigerian Idols IK Osakioduwa and will feature musical performances from Nigeria’s popular performers Seyi Sodimu, Shaffy Bello, Adekunle Gold, KCee, Chike and Congolese soukous singer Awilo Logomba throughout the awards ceremony.
Save the date for this Saturday, 11 May, and tune in for the live broadcast across all Africa Magic Channels on DStv and GOtv. Don’t miss this remarkable celebration of African creativity and achievement!
Keep your DStv subscription activated to ensure you don’t miss the star-studded event! To upgrade, reconnect or manage your subscription download the MyDStv app on your mobile app store or visit www.dstv.com to join in on the excitement and manage your account. You can also catch all the action while on the move. Stream all content on the DStv Stream app by downloading it from the app store.
Radio & TV
The Queens of Durban are not Holding Back!
The Real Housewives of Durban reunion will air on Showmax in two parts on 15 and 22 May 2024, following a dramatic Season 4 finale. It saw the ladies separated into two groups and tea spilt from all directions, with accusations of witchcraft, infidelity, control and alcoholism.
We chatted with all the ladies to get a sense of how they are feeling about the reunion, which will be hosted by MaBlerh, and facing up to everything that’s happened this season. Newcomers Ameigh Thompson, Angel Ndlela and Zama Ngcobo are all feeling nervous about their first reunion but that won’t stop them from showing up.
Zama, who has been involved in some of the biggest feuds in the season, says she won’t run away from anything that happened. “I am not a coward,” she says. “What I said on the show is how I feel. People think I won’t show up to the reunion because I am scared. I am not. I am going to go in there and speak my mind. I will not be intimidated by anyone.”
Angel says she’s looking forward to the reunion. “I am glad that I will have the chance to tell my side of the story, while providing clarity where need be,” she says. “Watching the show, I learned a lot of things about myself. It was an amazing experience.”
Ameigh feels like the show has made her stronger and more resolute in her decisions. “Watching myself has been very interesting,” she says. “The journey has made me realise that I am the person I have always known I am. I have been through a lot as a person and a mom, and I hope that my story has helped other women who are in similar situations. There is a light at the end of every tunnel.”
For the OG’s who have done this from the beginning, they understand better than anyone that reunions are a game-changer. Nonku Williams is very clear on what needs to be said and done. “I have been doing this for so long,” she says. “The reason why I am still here is because I understand the assignment. Some people come here, and they want to be what they are not and that is why it does not land. I will always be me and that is my superpower.”
Sorisha Naidoo is done trying to make peace where there is none. “I know what my boundaries are, especially when it comes to friendships,” she says. “I know who my friends are and I know the people who I want to move forward with. And that takes the load off me because I don’t have to please everyone.”
JoJo Robinson, who joined the show in Season 2, says this season has been her calmest yet. “Season 4 has been very relaxed for me,” she says. “I had a very intense Season 3 but just like that, things changed. I’m glad I came back.” Maria Valaskatzis and Slee Ndlovu, who both joined the show in Season 3, have been at the centre of some of the biggest conflicts this season.
“My game plan for this reunion is just to speak the truth,” says Maria. “I am not going to tiptoe around anything and anyone.” Slee feels like she wants to get to the bottom of things that were said about her. “My biggest thing for this reunion is the witchcraft accusations,” she says. “I need the people who accused me of that to tell me what they mean by that, because I am confused and offended.”
Re-watch S4 ahead of the reunion:
The second season of The Real Housewives of Nairobi premieres on Showmax on 10 May 2024, with new episodes every Friday. The Real Housewives of Nairobi follows the lives of the most stylish, opulent and hardworking women in Kenya as they navigate their relationships and careers. Season 2 features returning cast members Dr Catherine Masitsa, Minne Kariuki and Vera Sidika, who will be joined by newcomers Farah Esmail, Reja Keji Ladu and Zena Nyambu.
Enhance your streaming entertainment experience by adding Showmax to your DStv subscription at a discounted rate. Download the MyDStv App or visit the DStv website to sign up.
Join the conversation:
#RHODurban
Radio & TV
2024 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) to air LIVE on DStv
MTV has announced the 2024 “VMAs” will make its return to New York on Tuesday, September 10th at the UBS Arena. Airing LIVE on MTV, DStv Channel 130 on Wednesday, 11 September at 1:00am WAT and 2:00am CAT around the world in more than 150 countries. This year’s global fan-filled phenomenon will celebrate the best music videos of the past year with supersized performances, epic tributes, and unforgettable appearances from the world’s biggest celebrities.
“We’re excited to bring this year’s VMAs to UBS Arena, one of the country’s newest and most cutting edge venues,” said Bruce Gillmer, President of Music, Music Talent, Programming & Events, Paramount and Chief Content Officer, Music, Paramount+. “Celebrating one of music’s biggest nights with the incredible, robust New York area fans is something we’ve been looking forward to since the moment last year’s show ended.”
“It’s an honor to host MTV and the VMAs at UBS Arena,” said Mark Shulman, Senior Vice President of Programming, UBS Arena. “This is the culmination of bringing a world class event to a venue that offers state of the art capabilities and the best in fan amenities. We look forward to welcoming this year’s top artists, fans, and viewers worldwide to experience our arena and campus at Belmont Park.”
“We are excited to welcome back the MTV Video Music Awards to New York State,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “From its origins at Radio City Music Hall in 1984 to this September’s event at the UBS Arena, the VMAs continue to captivate millions, showcasing the very best in music video artistry. As we prepare to host this 40th anniversary event, let’s embrace the spirit of creativity and innovation that defines our state’s cultural landscape.”
The “VMAs” will air across MTV’s global footprint of linear and digital platforms in more than 150 countries and territories, reaching over 319 million households.
Additional details will be announced closer to the show. Follow @MTV and @VMAs on social to keep up with all-things #VMAs.
Radio & TV
Who is the Real “Kitchen Mama”??? Bolanle Omotayo of Schneider Electric and Yemisi Obe of Grandios Pap Compete in a fierce Pasta Battle on Episode 3 of Cooking With GameChangers
It’s a battle for the best on the new episode of Cooking With Game Changers!
On this episode, Bolanle Omotayo, Marketing & Communications Manager at Schneider Electric, Anglophone West Africa, and Yemisi Obe, Founder of Grandios Pap, slug it out for the Ultimate GameChanger title by preparing their unique versions of pasta.
A day in the life of these GameChangers is explored after which they battle in the kitchen for the title of “Ultimate GameChanger” even as our Judges M.I Abaga, Kaffy and Captain Toba determine who wears the crown. Daniel Etim-Effiong, the show host, makes their time on Cooking with GameChangers extremely delightful.
Who will win this episode? Watch now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Watch a day in the life of Bolanle Omotayo of Schneider Electrics- https:/www.youtube.com/watch?
Watch a day in the life of Yemisi Obe of Grandios Pap – https://www.youtube.com/watch?
You can watch previous episodes of Cooking with GameChangers here:
https://youtube.com/playlist?
Cooking with GameChangers follows a-day–in-the-life of a top corporate executive and entrepreneur who ends up in the Cooking with GameChangers kitchen for a cook-off supervised/judged by celebrity host, Daniel Etim-Effiong and judges M.I Abaga, Kaffy, and Captain Toba.
Cooking with GameChangers is a spinoff of Nigeria’s most syndicated talk show, “Binging With GameChangers” which garners over 60 million monthly viewers and airs on TV stations nationwide.
Watch the latest episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Subscribe to YouTube Channel: @B2GNetwork
Watch the show every weekend on TV stations nationwide:
SATURDAYS:
NTA Network: Saturdays at 10.30 AM
Silverbird: Saturdays at 1.30 PM
Views Channel: Saturday 6:30 PM; Repeat: Mondays at 9:30 PM; Wednesdays at 9 PM
SUNDAYS:
Africa Magic Family: Sundays at 3.30 PM: Repeat: Wednesdays at 1.30 PM
TVC: Sundays at 5.30 PM
NTA2: Sundays at 5.30 PM
Wazobia Max: Sundays at 5.30 PM; Repeat Mondays at 7 PM
Wazobia TV: Sundays at 5.30 PM; Repeat: Mondays at 7 PM
Follow the show across social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@
LinkedIn: @CookingwithGameChangers
Cooking with GameChangers is proudly supported by Power Oil, 2Sure and Aquafina.
Media Partners: BellaNaija, Pulse.ng and Ameyaw Debrah.
Radio & TV
Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio this Friday with Ruger & BNXN
This Week’s Episode Features a Conversation With Ruger and Bnxn, the 5 Hottest Tracks of the Week, Africa Rising and Nandi Madida’s Favourite Track of the Week!
Tune in to Africa Now Radio with Nandi Madida this Friday, April 19th 9a Lagos/London / 10a Johannesburg/Paris / 1a LA / 4a NYC on Apple Music 1 and broadcast on YFM Accra every Sunday at 2pm, YFM Kumasi on Saturdays at 3pm and YFM Takoradi on Saturdays at 6pm.
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