Six new TV channels licensed in Zimbabwe

…nation celebrates job opportunities

The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe has announced the six new media houses that have been given television licences.

The six applicants, who came out tops out of a shortlist of 12 aspirants, are Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN), 3KTV, Rusununguko Media, Kumba TV, Ke Yona TV and Channel D.

This is a historic moment in the southern African country as the nation shifts from analogue to digital broadcasting.

Another plus is the fact that journalists as well as graduates in technical fields that had been jobless as they were not all being absorbed by the sole broadcaster in the land, ZBC, now have an opportunity to put the skills they acquired to good use.

Many journalists and technicians had been living the country and pioneering great works in a number of countries within the SADC region, particularly in South Africa, where the television sector is booming as well as in Zambia.

“The new licensees shall have 18 months to roll out their plans and go on air,” said BAZ chairperson Charles Sibanda, in a media briefing.
“In the event of failure to broadcast, the licences will be availed to other aspirants through a similar process,” he added.

Onai Kalasaru, a journalism lecturer at the Catholic University (CUZ) in Zimbabwe, welcomed the coming in of new players, saying this would create space for journalism professionals to thrive while ensuring that there is healthy competition among players.

“Our universities, including ourselves (CUZ) have been churning out journalism students every year. There are thousands out there but they were not being absorbed. This is a very welcome development,” he said.
“There are people with the requisite technical skills busy working in other industries unrelated to their skillsets simply because they could not find jobs – this development puts an end to that.”

Changes in the way people the world over are now consuming news has seen a number of media houses in the print category struggling to maintain operations.

The rise of social media, artificial intelligence and fast evolution taking place in the multimedia space has seen a number of traditional media houses shutting shop not only in Zimbabwe but the world over.
This development also means more platforms for content creators to showcase their work.

ZTN (Zimpapers Television Network) is State-owned and forms part of a much larger media organisation which encompasses print, radio and a growing digital footprint.

Fairtalk Communications is part owned by Rusununguko, a military company while Jester Media is believed to be owned by Daily News.
Channel Dzimbahwe, which is fronted by former ZBC chief executive, Happison Muchechetere, is a said to be owned by war veterans but it is unclear whether Zimbabwe’s military has interests in there as well or not.

Acacia Media is believed to be owned by ex-Zanu PF Goromonzi South constituency aspirant Sharon Mugabe. Nhau/Indaba