Bukedde TV live on DStv

Dec 04, 2011

Starting December 12 this year, Vision Group's Bukedde TV will for the first time since it began official broadcasting in 2009, air on DStv, a multichannel digital satellite TV service.

By Joseph Kizza

Starting December 12 this year, Vision Group's Bukedde TV will for the first time since it began official broadcasting in 2009, air on DStv, a multichannel digital satellite TV service.

DStv is a product of MultiChoice Africa, the continent's leading pay digital TV company.

The significant breakthrough was brought to life on Friday with the signing of an exclusive agreement between Vision Group and MultiChoice Uganda, on behalf of MultiChoice Africa, at the Vision Group's Kampala head office.

Under the landmark deal, Bukedde TV, a Luganda (local dialect) channel, will start airing exclusively on DStv on channel 148 and on GOtv on channel 93.

GOtv, another product of MultiChoice, is the newest pay TV service in Uganda, launched at the end of August this year.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Vision Group's CEO Robert Kabushenga expressed his excitement over the venture which “we have been working very hard towards finalizing for some time.'

“This is an important milestone for our company and in MultiChoice, we have a corporate partner with a very long track record and proven subscriber numbers to match,” he said.

Demand

Bukedde TV channel has for the last two years since it first hit the airwaves had the clearest signal within the central region (Buganda) as opposed to other parts of Uganda.

Mr. Kabushenga (left) exchanges copies of the agreement with Mr. Hamya (centre), after signing the agreement. Looking on is Bukedde TV manager Mark Walungama. PHOTO by Mathias Mugisha

Mr. Kabushenga thanked Bukedde fans in the areas outside Buganda for their patience as the company looked for a credible broadcasting partner to roll out its services.

For its local entertainment, informative and educative programmes like Agataliiko Nfuufu, Byansi, Kuuma omubiri, Oluyimba lwo, Akasaale, soap operas, local news, to mention but a few, Bukedde TV attracts one of the biggest fast-growing audiences in the central region.

The general manager of MultiChoice Uganda, Charles Hamya signed the agreement on behalf of MultiChoice Africa.

He made it clear that the decision to carry Bukedde TV on DStv is part of a long term commitment of MultiChoice Africa geared towards promoting local content.

Several countries are migrating from analog TV to digital TV, Mr. Hamya said.

“The future of digital television in Africa lies in the adoption of the latest technology and a company's willingness to invest in, and showcase programming that is increasingly relevant and representative to the end consumer,” he explained.

“Bukedde is without doubt one of the leading local channels in Uganda, therefore this decision makes both commercial and programming sense.”

Advertising value

On how the partnership will benefit advertisers, Mr. Kabushenga explained that advertisers will not only get the opportunity to expand their products' market to the rest of the country, but will also gain access to DStv's current subscribers “who have considerable spending power.”

“This deal will give our clients the opportunity of advertising their products and services to the high end, middle-income and mass market a truly unique offering,” the CEO remarked.

Costly venture

Mr. Kabushenga acknowledged that the highly technological undertaking will come at a high cost.

He however said the partnership with MultiChoice Africa will create a financing for the very expensive venture, adding that for the start, the signal will be accessible only to viewers across Uganda then later beyond since the kind of technology adopted allows for a wider reception in the Sub-Saharan region.

The deal is the second major agreement MultiChoice Africa has signed this year in Uganda aimed at investing and promoting local programming.

In April, SuperSport put to paper a five-year broadcast sponsorship deal with the Uganda Super League (USL) which has seen them broadcast live matches in the course of the season.

The SuperSport/USL deal includes investments in the training of personnel, purchase of Outside Broadcasting (OB) equipment, satellite time and direct league club sponsorships.

Also present during the Friday deal signing was Bukedde TV Manager, Mark Walungama.

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