Tag Archives: Joseph Hundah

Kwesé TV goes into administration

Econet Media’s Kwesé TV pay television business has been placed in administration as a result of the challenges it has faced in several countries.

Joseph Hundah

The news comes soon after subscribers to the Kwesé Play streaming platform received a message on their screens saying Econet has dropped it for technical reasons.

Consequently, customers no longer have access to its streaming service, Kwesé Iflix, according to reports.

In an effort to revive the business, the administration process will be handled and managed by accountants Ernst & Young, said CEO Joseph Hundah.

“Kwesé’s free-to-air business was too small to sustain the financial burden of its satellite operations, which led to the decision to negotiate with creditors,” he said.

“The company struggled with the foreign currency restrictions in Zimbabwe, who stopped recognising the US dollar, South African Rand and other foreign currencies as legal tender in June in a bid to curb black-market trading.

“The group’s inability to exit money out of Zimbabwe has had an impact on the business.”

He added that Kwesé TV’s FTA business, Kwesé Free TV, which received a licence from communications regulator Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) in March, would continue operating in the rest of Africa, and that no other business in the Econet group is affected by the administration process.

ICASA has given Kwesé 24 months to launch the service, a time frame set to elapse in March 2021. Other shareholders in Kwesé Free TV include Royal Bafokeng Metix (45%) and Mosong Capital (35%).

Econet Media is owned by Strive Masiyiwa. Roku-powered Kwesé Play launched in 2018.

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Scoop network launches in Africa

Entertainment and lifestyle channel Scoop Network is set to begin broadcasting in Africa.

Joseph Hundah

The network, from Dutch independent producer FCCE, will launch on pan-African cable TV operator Kwesé TV on July 26.

Scoop Network will carry a range of programmes, including movies, music, fashion and celebrity news.

African voiceovers will be offered in order to give programmes “a truly pan-African feel.”

The partnership with Kwesé TV ensures the continent has access to the channel, which was previously only available to international audiences.

Justus AG Verkerk, CEO of FCCE, said: “It’s the first fully localised feed of Scoop Network and we’re very confident the local audience will enjoy the mix of national and international content.

“Around the world, we meet cable and mobile operators all looking for new and exclusive options. We offer an affordable turnkey solution. We’re really proud to work with Kwesé as a partner in 18 African countries.

“The new editorial team in the FCCE Nairobi office, our own studio facilities, local crews, presenters and reporters will guarantee the local tone of voice and content.

“The talent search campaign is something that is really in the DNA of our company. We hope we can give young people from the African continent a platform to showcase their talent. And maybe, we can even facilitate a springboard to the international markets.”

Commenting on the partnership, Joseph Hundah, CEO of Kwesé’s owner Econet Group, said: “Kwesé prides itself on offering exclusive cutting-edge entertainment programming to cater for our dynamic young audiences. Scoop is a channel enjoyed by many across the globe and we are excited to be the first TV network to introduce it to the African market.”

Scoop will be broadcast in 13 sub-Saharan African countries on the Kwesé TV platform.

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Kwesé TV strikes TV One deal

Pan-African broadcast network Kwesé TV has agreed an exclusive deal with US cablenet TV One to bring the latter’s content to African viewers.

Joseph Hundah

Kwesé TV, part of Econet Media, will add 25 titles from TV One to its schedule as part of the three-year deal, spanning real-life and entertainment-focused original programming, classic series and movies.

This includes When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story, Love Under New Management: The Mikki Howard Story, The Black List and sitcoms Born Again Virgin and Love That Girl.

“We are always looking for fresh, rich and entertaining content to add to our line-up, thus the addition of TV One to our bouquet is a great feat,” said Joseph Hundah, Econet Media’s president and CEO.

“The network’s compelling and distinctive programming will help broaden and strengthen the diversity of our international content offering. We are confident TV One’s high-quality and well-rounded content will captivate viewers across the continent.”

Michelle Rice, TV One’s interim general manager and executive VP, content distribution and marketing, said the cablenet’s programming represented “the best in African American culture and entertainment.”

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