Online ReporterIvan Zhakata
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
A NEW pay television entertainment channel dedicated to black storytelling has been launched across Africa.
Zimbabwe is among the first markets to receive the service, in a move expected to fill the gap left by the closure of BET Africa.
The Black Creator Network (BCN), launched by Maponga Studios, in partnership with Azam TV, is now available in nine countries — Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda.
It is reaching millions of households across the continent.The development comes at a time when African audiences have faced reduced access to premium Black American entertainment following the shutdown of BET Africa, which had become a key platform for such content.In a statement, BCN said the launch marked a new era of Black storytelling with over 5 000 hours of premium content available at inception.
“The launch follows the shutdown of BET Africa, which left a noticeable gap in access to high-quality Black American entertainment on the continent. BCN is built to fill that gap, while expanding beyond it,” reads the statement.Maponga Studios CEO, Michael Maponga, said the channel was created to restore African audiences’ connection with authentic stories from across the Black Diaspora.
“Black culture drives global conversation. When access to that culture is limited, it creates a disconnect,” he said.“BCN is here to restore that connection and take it further by bringing together stories from across the entire Black Diaspora.”
The channel launches with a mix of Black American productions and Pan-African titles, including King of the Castle, starring Tony Rock, American King featuring Akon and Twisted Vines starring Vivica A. Fox.
Maponga said the launch was significant for Zimbabwe.“Zimbabwe is home. To now bring a channel like BCN back to Zimbabwe and across Africa, is more than business, it is purpose,” he said.“This is about ownership, representation, and making sure our stories are not filtered or sidelined, but centred.”
