Chronicle Editor
Jonathan Mbiriyamveka—
Greetings to all and I hope that I find you well. It’s another Tuesday and we thank God for the life.
Of late, ZBCTV has been screening a lot of programmes by independent producers and that is commendable but what worries most is the content.After watching the channel on a Tuesday last week, I was surprised to see that prime time viewing has become free-for-all.
Perhaps, the problem is not about the programmes per se but what ZBCTV calls prime time.
Do they still have prime time viewing slot or not?
For starters, prime time viewing should be catchy and exciting, that’s the time people should crowd the small screen..
It’s that slot that comes just before the main news bulletin and is popular with advertisers.
Back in the day, advertisers would jostle to get space during this period because that’s when most families would gather in the lounge or the living room to watch local dramas and stuff.
We also had a number of television commercials which were popular among viewers.
For instance, the “Ngwerewere” advert was a favourite of many as it featured the fine looking Rusike Brothers.
Sadly, that is no longer the case on ZBCTV, in fact, during prime time viewing that is when most people remain glued to other channels or revert to DVDs, free-to-air channels and the like.
Naturally, prime time viewing slot should be catchy and exciting but now, the segment is scattered with boring programmes.
I don’t think it’s appropriate for any television producer or executive to feature a programme like “Another Chance”, which is basically about former convicts during prime time slot.
Please get me right, yours truly doesn’t have anything against the programme, in fact, it’s a good show but not suitable for prime time slot.
Then came the “Economic Forum”, a programme that features economic issues that have a national bearing.
While the focus of the programme is good, it’s not a good programme for prime time viewing.
It is even more appalling when it is presented by a novice in economic issues like Napoleon Nyanhi who described Daniel Chingoma’s scrap helicopter as a “great invention”.
These are the sort of programmes that should come after the main news or just before the Nhau/Indaba.
Then viewers were bombarded again with a health programme hosted by Yvonne Katsande.
Yvonne is a beautiful presenter but her beauty cannot help given such a lousy programme.
Don’t get me wrong, health matters are as important as economic issues, but they are not that fascinating enough for prime time viewing.
Since ZBC detailed programming information is not available on DStv, viewers cannot book the main news and are forced to endure all these boring programmes as they await 8pm.
To this end, I urge the powers-that be at ZBCTV to look at the prime time slots and see if they can improve on what viewers seeing at the moment.
May I humbly suggest that they screen soaps, dramas, series, family oriented talkshows and even the reality shows that have taken the world by storm.
Yes I am fully cognisant of the challenges that ZBC is facing, but surely that does not preclude all creativity and innovation on the part of the producers.
Elsewhere, DStv highlights for this month are as follows: M-Net (DStv Channel 101)
“Almost Human” (Premiere): The series takes place approximately 30 years in the future following an unprecedented increase in the crime rate, every police officer must partner with a highly evolved human-like android.
It follows the week-to-week missions of Detective John Kennex, the sole survivor of a devastating police ambush, and his synthetic partner, Dorian, as they solve cases and fight to keep the lid on dangerously evolved criminals.
From Friday 16 May at 20:30 CAT.
“The Good Wife” (Season 5): The lawyers of Alicia must focus on the firm’s efforts to prevent the execution of a convicted murderer while she secretly plans her exit from the firm with Cary.
It premières on Monday 19 May at 20:30 CAT.
“Secret Street Crew” (Premiere): Ashley Banjo takes on the challenge of teaching five unfit and uncoordinated beer drinking darts players from Stockport into a genuine street dance crew.
Over a three week period these darts players meet up for secret rehearsals so that they can surprise their family, friends and other darts players at a big darts tournament, with a specially choreographed routine taught by Ashley. From 25 May at 18:00 CAT.
“Chicago PD” (Premiere): In the series première, after a slew of brutal slayings, District 21, led by Sergeant Hank Voight goes after a Columbian drug cartel in Chicago.
They discover D’Anthony who proves to be an asset in the investigation.
At District, complicated histories and unit rivalries surface which could end up costing them one of their own.
Meanwhile, rookie Kyle Ruzek is pulled from the police academy by Olinsky to join the team.
It airs from Tuesday 27 May at 19:30 CAT.
M-Net’s “SERIES REALITY” (DStv Channel 114)
“America’s Next Top Model”: Tyra Banks introduced new judge British model Rob Evans, who joined returning judges Tyra and PR maven Kelly Cutrone, and new photo shoot director Johnny Wujek.
The cycle began with 30 potential contestants, all from colleges across the United States, walking down a poolside runway at the Top Model Sorority House.
The runway was followed by a swimsuit photo shoot.
Photos from the shoot were uploaded on each contestant’s FaceBook pages where the audience commented on their photos and essentially became a judge on the show.
It airs from Tuesday 6 May at 23:30 CAT.
UNIVERSAL CHANNEL (DStv Channel 117)
“NCIS Los Angeles”: The team’s own Kensi Blye is in the firing line this month.
A murder investigation connected to her late father’s sniper unit leaves her as the prime suspect.
This exciting two-parter also features a guest appearance from the director of the real-life “NCIS”, Mark D Clookie (though within the show he has to step back and play a mere special agent).
Even once that’s dealt with, the unit has little breathing room before a politically-sensitive shooting outside the Vietnamese consulate.
Watch it on Wednesdays at 20:00 CAT.
“Midsomer Murders”: Chief Inspector John Barnaby and his new sidekick Sergeant Nelson find themselves ranging a little further afield, as the series reaches its end and this most traditionally British of crime dramas crosses over with the new wave of Scandinavian noir.
When a Midsomer businessman is poisoned by one of his own biscuits during a trip to Copenhagen, the Midsomer detectives must team up with two Danish cops who’ll be very familiar to viewers of Borgen and the killing.
Tune in on Fridays at 20:00 CAT.
Until next week remember this is television and its real.
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