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and 30 percent local ownership.
By and large this was a welcome development considering that for many years Zimbabweans have been entertained by ZBCTV’s two channels of which Channel 2 is limited to a few. Besides the limited access Channel 2 has its own challenges one of them being poor picture quality. But the good news is that GOtv will have different programming since it is a product of MultiChoice although it will be transmitted by Zimbabwean company, Transmedia.

We gather GOtv will be on a new technology platform called digital terrestrial television which improves on every aspect of television including low-cost subscriptions. The same services were launched in other African countries such as Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria and Zambia. GOtv provides a range of local and international channels, with an introductory offer of a decoder, three months’ subscription and a DTT aerial available for GHS153. Some of the channels on the platform include Africa Magic, Africa Magic Movies, Blackbelt TV, Disney Junior, CNN, SuperSport Blitz, Select Sports, Discovery World, NatGeo Wild, Vox Africa, Aljazeera, and Channel O.

The shareholding structure of GOtv is 60 percent to MultiChoice, 30 percent to the Government through Transmedia while Skynet has a 10 percent.

Elsewhere, the countdown to the first ever Africa- Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards has begun. The AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards will be screened live on DStv on Saturday at 20:00 CAT on AfricaMagic, AfricaMagic Entertainment and AfricaMagic World as well as AfricaMagic Movies and Movies 1.

Held in association with MultiChoice and sponsored by Amstel Malta, the presenters will be charismatic Big Brother Africa presenter IK Osakioduwa and gorgeous Star Gist leading lady Vimbai Mutinhiri.

M-Net Africa managing director Biola Alabi had this to say: “They were chosen because their experience and passion for the African entertainment scene makes them unique ambassadors for the event, capable of successfully engaging with both television viewers in 47 African countries and invited guests at the EKO Exhibition Centre where the AMVCAs will be held.

“IK’s cool, calm professionalism combined with his effortless charm is clearly a benefit during busy live broadcasts, while the always optimistic and stylish Vimbai’s enthusiasm for lifestyle programming makes her the ideal co-host for what we are confident will be a glittering, glamourous night for African stars, industry insiders and audiences watching at home.”

Zimbabwe might not have been nominated for the awards but Vimbai’s presence will make for everything and surely we will be part of this historic event.

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