adminJonathan Mbiriyamveka
TV
It’s another new week and, oh my gosh, it’s funny how time flies when you are having so much fun. This week one reader drew my attention to something I had almost forgotten about but which I think is quite important. Guess what, with a Premium bouquet which is as huge as the dictionary it has become almost difficult to go through it in one day or even focus on one channel. Music is, of course, part of entertainment but I hardly spend time watching music channels.
So when this reader told me about how lousy and boring Channel O has become, I couldn’t agree more. Gone are the days when we used to delight in watching the versatile video jockeys in the mould of Mbuso, Miss Candy, Mapenda, Kabelo and, of course, our very own Tonderai “TK” Katsande and Chamunorwa Kwenda aka Mizchief.
Yes, these were some of the most sought after VJs on Channel O and I remember whenever they visited Zimbabwe they hosted some of the big parties at Stars Studio. Then, the VJs were a hit among Zimbabwean fans and Channel O was the best music channel.
Nowadays things have changed, albeit for the worst. We now have better music channels such as MTV Base and Trace TV which is by far consistent than Channel O. As for Channel O, the satellite music station has over the years lost its glitter with the coming of new station managers. From its inception, it used be the “Original African” but later it became “half African, half Naija” and in no time it then became “Original Naija”.
We say this because, during the days of the Mbusos or Mapendas they used to screen music from the DRC, Zambia and Mozambique but with the passage of time there was no rhumba, no pasada and everything just went into oblivion.
If you think I am wrong just watch the Channel O Music Videos Awards this Saturday and you will see what we mean by lousy production. This is because we only get to see the music videos by the nominees in the run-up to the awards show and soon after the awards.
By the way as usual Zimbabwe will be represented at the awards by Buffalo Souljah, the man is up for the Most Gifted Ragga Dancehall Video category and we wish him well.
Just recently I stumbled upon a letter written by a Nigerian (I presume), in which he responded to one of my pieces where I criticised DStv for their unfair coverage of Nigeria over other 52 countries on the African continent. In the name of fair play below is the letter:
In response to your anti-Nigeria tirade entitled “DStv biased towards Nigeria”, you must recognise the fact that Nigeria is a leader in Africa in terms of music, culture and entertainment. No one is saying that the rest of Africa does not have quality music, culture, and entertainment for their home markets BUT if you want to watch your local artistes, watch your local terrestrial television stations.
The fact that Nigerian music seems to be dominating other countries on most South African-based pan-African networks is simply because of the high quality and production volumes that come out of Nigeria as well as public demand.
Pure and simple! If the public doesn’t like the content, it would not be on their networks. MTV Base, which is not Nigerian or South African but a US media company owned by Viacom is not out to promote Nigerian artistes for their own sake, they promote quality artistes irrespective of where they are from — even in the US.
The problem is that it takes a little bit more for artistes from smaller markets (such as Zimbabwe and others) to get airplay; just like in the US, smaller markets have a harder time to get national airplay.
It is a bit unfair but as you rightly pointed out, it is a business and they have to select markets that will provide the most advertising revenue.
Nigeria is a big market, much bigger than even South Africa and Kenya combined, which provides a major pull for both local and foreign advertisers to push products on the network. So, this is the reason for the apparent preference for Nigerian music, culture and entertainment on the networks you mentioned.
Remember, it’s a free world, if you do not like what is available on one network, watch a different network.
I do believe that Zimbabwe has local networks that showcase Zimbabwean talent, so you should be able to watch them locally. If they are persistent enough, they will get airtime on these pan-African networks that you mention over time BUT regarding content, no country in Africa will match the quality or volume of what comes out of Nigeria, that is just a fact. You may not like it BUT it’s the truth.
Regards,
Hope Okoronkwo
Online Reporter