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Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Television
IT’S been a while since we last published this column but I am happy to say that yours truly is back. My apologies for going AWOL; there has been a lot happening behind the scenes. However, I hope that I find you well and in good shape. One good thing about television is that there is a lot that’s happening these days on DStv as well as on our ZBCTV.

Now over to something different though it relates to the small screen, I don’t know how many of you have noticed that Power FM and Radio Zimbabwe are now available on DStv’s DMX radio channels. So for those who have been complaining about poor sound quality or reception this should come as good news to you.

I am still to find out from MultiChoice Zimbabwe if there are any plans to include Star FM. Anyway I also noted that during the UNWTO, Star FM streamed live and the sound quality was amazing.

So finally Big Brother Africa The Chase ended with Namibian beauty Dillish Mathews (pictured) grabbing the US$300 000. I liked the fact that Dillish added another sub-theme to the other two themes where the Chasemates either went into the house looking for love or the money.

A lot of those who chased after love were booted out first to enjoy their romance outside the house while those who focused on the money lasted the course.

It was well and good that Namibia won the money thanks to Dillish’s looks. The “Queen” or was it “Her Royal Majesty” had nothing except her beauty and Africa loved her for that. It would be surprising to see the Ghanaians winning the next season because this has been the trend over the years. Elikem could have easily won but then he was voted the best for his romantic gesture. There are those who feel that Hakeem Mandaza could have won the prize since he had three nominations compared to Elikem’s single nomination.

When Zimbabwe’s Munya Chidzonga failed to win in that season we got compensated through Wendall Parson, and when South Africa’s Luclay failed to win, they were rewarded through Keagan but that’s a reality show for you, anything goes. But we don’t want to appear as bad losers so instead of complaining about this and that we just watch.

Recently, DStv added a new channel for Spanish and Portuguese-language serials — popularly known as telenovelas – which I am told are increasingly among the most popular television programmes in the world today.

Telemundo was launched by MultiChoice Africa and Universal Networks International and is exclusively dedicated to telenovelas and their dramatic storylines, exotic locations and glamorous personalities.

According to Liz Dziva, publicity and public relations manager of MultiChoice Zimbabwe: “Telemundo is a welcome addition to the DStv Access, Family,  Compact Plus and Premium bouquets on channel 118, where viewers will be invited to ‘feel the passion’ and see what millions of fans elsewhere are enjoying.”

In addition to increasing the range of programming available to DStv subscribers, the channel presents telenovelas as a popular entertainment format in a dedicated channel. Telemundo presents some of the most compelling Spanish and Portuguese-language series in what is described as ‘a dramatic rollercoaster of romance, mystery, action and adventure and a world of exotic locations and glamorous personalities.’

Telenovelas are a major force on the international entertainment scene and from launch time viewers can look forward to stories of love, success and betrayal in telenovelas such as “Aurora”, “Precious Rose”, “My Heart Beats for Lola” and “Behind Closed Doors”. There are plans to make Telemundo fully localised for the African market with dubbing in English.

Telemundo becomes DStv’s fifth channel brand from Universal Networks International, joining Universal Channel, E! Entertainment Television and The Style Network and movies channel Studio Universal.

Universal Networks is the international channels division of NBCUniversal, is one of the world’s premier entertainment providers, delivering quality content and compelling brands to over 176 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia Pacific.

The brands in the portfolio include Universal Channel, Syfy, 13th Street Universal, Studio Universal, E! Entertainment Television, The Style Network, DIVA Universal and Golf Channel. Universal Networks International also operates Movies 24 and has a controlling interest in the Kids Co joint venture. NBCUniversal News Group, one of the most influential and respected portfolio of on-air and digital news properties in the world, operates CNBC and NBC News internationally.

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