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Left: Clock watching just before transmission start before ZBC aired for 24 hours, right: Popular yesteryear comedy “Sanford and Son” when black and white television was the thing

Jonathan Mbiriyamveka TV Column
Ever wondered why some people still think television was good back in the old days?
Oh, before I go any further, some few weeks ago a female news anchor Juliet Muzenda on ZBCTV’s main news  bulletin was the subject of ridicule  on social medium, on Facebook to be exact.
There was so much hullabaloo about her dress code. She appeared on the set dressed in a double breasted suit, a shirt and a matching tie.

So the picture that circulated on Facebook with a caption that read: “Is this the  new look on ZBCTV news bulletin?”The lady didn’t see anything wrong with her attire but the viewers had reservations over why she dressed that way. Since Facebook is a social medium, there were those who hurled insults over a simple issue.

However, what yours truly picked from that debate was that things are no longer the same as in the past when we used to  watch the likes of Alice Chavhunduka, Lydia Mavhengere, Musi Khumalo or Abigail Mvududu dressed up for the news desk.

Back then, news anchors were proudly sponsored by trendy boutiques and salons but as ZBCTV suffered viewers flight, so did the sponsors.
Even now on several international news desks, women dress up as if they are shooting a movie. Like seriously, you talk of Hala Garani  or Isha Sesay, they don’t appear on the set dressed up like Ajigija the clown.

But you really can’t blame Juliet for showing up on the set dressed differently. Truth be told, that is not her style but perhaps she was caught off guard. You know those days when you don’t really know what to wear? I know of several women who do that either they have grown out of their clothes or some of their clothes are not suitable for the small screen.

In fact, it is not just on the small screen that people always wish for the good old days, even on radio, a good number of people feel radio was at its best in the good old days. Arguably, of late old skool music plays big and sounds better than today’s music. Well, this is not to say radio stations are not sounding good, no.

Perhaps it is just that radio stations are doing things differently now. One of my colleagues suggested that I dedicate one of my instalments to radio and figure out where some of the radio stations are getting it right or wrong.

There are some good things that need continuity and others that television or radio stations need to do away with. For instance, why are viewers bombarded with endless musical interludes of the same artistes time and again?

Regarding dress code,  I don’t think uniforms would do but whoever the powers that be at Pockets Hill should try and get deals with trendy shops who are able to dress their newscasters. The whole capital is now awash with boutiques that are ready to showcase on the telly.

It is shocking to see newscasters shabbily dressed on prime time television slot which is supposed to be the selling point for any serious station.
By the way, do you still remember clock watching on ZBCTV1? Well yours truly used to do that as we patiently waited for the start of transmission. The clock itself was okay but then the alarm buzz was nauseating.

Back then we would watch such programmes as “Neighbours”, “Sanford and Son “and what have you?
I don’t see why viewers still have to go through clock watching on Channel 2 when by now it should have also gone 24 hours and broadcasting nationwide.
Such things only show lack of preparedness ahead of the digitalisation deadline.

Over and above, there seems to be not enough content should Channel 2 broadcast for 24 hours. It only takes a little imagination for producers to come up with content.

There are endless possibilities that excite viewers but apparently local producers or is it independent producers are bringing the same sort of thing that we’ve seen elsewhere.

And last but not least, the show that keeps Africa glued to the small screens the Big Brother Africa is coming to the screens early September.
This year’s edition has been dubbed “Big Brother Hotshots”. I guess there is going to be more of hotshots than dreams chaser as was with the previous edition.

Of course, yours truly will be watching the show around the clock and cracking the whip on those who go off line.
Until next week, remember this is television and it is real.

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