Before the end of 2013 there was a lot of worldwide entertainment buzz about a TV show pilot, Usoni, that was screened November 27 and created for Kenyan television. The sci-fi show takes place in 2062 and was created by Dr. Marc Rigaudis, produced by Denver Ochieng and directed by Cherie Lindiwe of the United States International University.
Unique Genres Paving the Way For Television Breakthroughs?
Usoni is making its mark not only because of its originality but also its genre, sci-fi. It’s a unique show for a country like Kenya and may be just what is needed to take Kenya’s television industry to the next economic level — if it’s successful in becoming more than a pilot and viewed in several other countries.
In many African countries such as Kenya, entertainment is said to be dominated by the U.S., with some British and French exceptions.
Now, all around Africa, the television industry is making strides to garner power in the entertainment business. Media executives and CEOs from around the world are coming together in Africa to meet and discuss current changes, as well as future adjustments that need to take place to welcome the emergence of broadcast through technology platforms.
At the 2013 AfricaCast Conference in Cape Town — a forum for innovation and progress in broadcast, cable and OTT (over-the-top content) — Verimatrix, a company that works to enhance revenue for global multi-network, multi-screen digital TV services hosted forums and sessions.
The Last Global Market to Latch Onto the Television Industry
“Africa is seen by many in the TV industry as last significant global market for the development of new digital platforms and associated information and entertainment services,” Verimatrix’s VP of marketing Steve Christian said in a IP&TV News interview.
“Individual African national markets are opening up and their economies are growing at a much faster rate than other more developed parts of the world – albeit from a lower baseline,” he said.
In Kenya alone, television is the second largest form of media next to radio according to an African Media Initiative report. It also noted that in 2009, the privately owned network, CitizenTV, made up 40 percent of market viewers. NTV and KBC TV trailed behind, both with 20 percent each.
Last month, All Africa reported that 10 countries have already launched Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT). The broadcast upgrade improves the quality of TV reception — including in HD — while expanding channel lists and making way for streaming services and video-on-demand (VOD) multimedia applications.
Market Expansion Through Analog to Digital Switch
The growing market starts with having the technological platform for shows to be aired on. It’s also important for a continent with many rural areas to be able to reach viewers all over. Google and Microsoft are working with Kenya and South Africa’s communication authorities to pilot white space TV technology for rural areas. Instead of electricity, rural area residents will be able to connect to internet using solar power. Strides like these exhibit why Africa is well on its way to being economically successful in the TV and film industry.
Areas of the continent have already moved from analogue to digital technologies, which opens up networks to internet and airing more shows. This will allow for a boom in Kenya’s original TV shows. The more content being produced makes way for a larger variety for viewers ranging from dramas to comedies, and now sci-fi.
“The transition from analogue to digital will lead to the creation of many new television channels, all of which will need fresh content,” Marie Lora-Mungai, CEO of digital broadcast firm Buni media, said in a recent Africa Cast interview.
“Any system that boosts the quantity and quality of content production on the continent is great for VOD services like Buni TV,” she added, explaining that digital broadcast technology will also impact TV programs and services which extend to mobile and web platforms.
Ushering in Film Through TV Industry Success
Like people from all ethnic backgrounds, Africans enjoy seeing television shows that are created for them. When youth and content creators see identifiable shows, it brings a sense of pride, which influences their creativity. With institutions like Kenya’s United States International University fostering and pushing students to have ideas that are not only for Kenyans but for a wider audience — a bridge to business credibility is created. This kind of thinking and integrity is what moves the industry’s economy ahead. It also opens the gate for TV industry successes to mesh with the rising film industry.
“The film Industry has been identified as a key growth industry with great potential to spur economic growth and help in the realization of vision 2030 through investment and employment creation. The Kenyan entertainment industry is worth approximately KShs 8.6 billion ($100 million),” Actors stated in a Kenya Ministry of Information and Communications blog post.
“The industry is comprised of the broadcasting, cinematic, theatrical music and interactive industries. Of this figure, the film and television industry including documentaries and advertising commercial is worth Kshs 4 billion ($46.5 million) and employs approximately 15,000 people.”
The growth in television ideas that turn into flim productions can lead to greater exposure around the world, such as with Usoni. This encourages financial industry growth — especially with the increasing ability to gain a following and reach global audiences through technology and social networking.
African films are beginning to gain recognition at international box offices with hits such as “Nairobi Half Life,” grossing $963 million worldwide. This was the first Kenyan film to be selected for the 85th Academy Award’s Best Foreign Language entry. Although it didn’t make the shortlist, by entering into international film festivals, the film is creating and encouraging a platform at home for award shows and film festivals around the continent.
With the government, broadcast companies, young people and students — who have the skills to produce and access resources — working together, the movement is both unbounded and unstoppable.
Now is a time to continue to watch Africa’s TV and film industry flourish before our eyes.