Broadcasting
Cartoon Network Launches Unique African Localised Series
The leading kids channel on the African continent, Cartoon Network, is proud to announce that they have teamed up with one of Africa’s leading content creators, Urban Brew Productions, to launch an innovative, locally produced series of short inserts called ‘Pop Up Party’, aimed at entertaining audiences on the African continent with Cartoon Network’s signature innovative and creative show-stopping fun on DStv, channel 301.
“This is the first time that Cartoon Network has teamed up with an African production company to produce something original and exclusive for its African audiences, full of local flavour, whilst still being true to the Cartoon Network brand and style,” said Pierre Branco, VP and Managing Director of Turner Africa. “The final product is not only fun, but also surprising, and that is exactly what Cartoon Network’s Pop Up Party is all about. With a proudly “African” edge, not only is the show taking place in South Africa, but it is mainly centred on dance, which Cartoon Network believes appeals to our African audience and their culture.”
Africa is a continent synonymous for its rich rhythmic music and dance culture; hence the new short inserts will follow a young crew of local dancers as they pop up and infiltrate unexpected locations to create a vibrant, unique and fun Pop Up Party. “We chose a group of kids that are all the same age as our core target market and from the unique and diverse African cultures to appeal to our viewers. They bring various personalities and different elements to the show, but one thing is for certain, they all are incredibly talented!”
The crew are currently all students from the Michelle Oppenshaw Dance Studio. Michelle, one of South Africa’s most versatile and elite dancers, is best known for her work in the Hollywood movie, Honey 3, Strictly Come Dancing, the South African version and being the choreographer and a dancer in Mi Casa’s ‘Turn You On’ music video.
The African-flavoured dance party has been shot in South Africa, but for any future series of the show, Cartoon Network will investigate the possibility of popping up in other African countries.
The unexpected locations for the first season were predominantly places where kids would never be found dancing…..until the music starts and the magic happens and everyone becomes part of the fun, until the party is done.
Over the last couple of years, the internet has seen many viral dance fads that have taken the internet by storm and got the world moving, but this will be the first time that a show like this will be shown on Cartoon Network.
African audiences can look forward to surprise, intrigue and lots of fun with this brand new local production. “The show will definitely take our African audiences by surprise, make them smile and appeal to them through the universal language of dance,” says Urban Brew Studios.
With lots of excitement ahead of the launch in July, audiences will be able to follow this most contagious, African-flavoured dance party by logging on to the pop up party website , where viewers will send in their own dancing videos and learn some of the signature moves from the series through choreographed videos with Michelle and the crew.
Viewers will be encouraged to upload their videos and the best dancers will get some screen time on Cartoon Network!
In the meantime, all Cartoon Network fans should be shining their dancing shoes in anticipation to catch the first of all ten Pop Up Party shorts by tuning in to the brand new series which kicks off on the 23rd of July 2016 on Cartoon Network, channel 301 on DStv at 16:30 CAT.
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has said that Nigerians will no longer pay annual Digital Access Fees under the renewed Digital Switch Over (DSO) project.
Charles Ebuebu, director-general, NBC, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja,
Ebuebu said viewers only need to purchase an approved decoder and satellite dish which cost below N20,000 to enjoy free television permanently.
“Previously, users paid an annual digital access fee of about N1,500, described as an administrative charge.
“The new system removes that annual fee. It provides free access to free-to-air television channels without any payment.
“Premium channels will be introduced later. Viewers who want those additional channels will be able to access them through paid services.
“Nigerian content on free-to-air channels remains free to watch. Unlike Pay TV, this platform does not require monthly subscriptions for its basic service,” he said
Ebuebu said approved decoders for the FreeTV will cost less than N20,000 and authorised sales outlets will soon be announced.
He urged Nigerians to wait for official information on approved dealers for the DSO decoders, warning that unauthorised sellers are exploiting growing public demand.
He reiterated that people only need a free-to-air decoder, along with a satellite dish instead of the old antenna system to receive the DSO signal.
“Once the equipment is installed, viewers can access all available channels across the country without paying any subscription fees,” he stressed
The DG dismissed claims by some retailers that there are different categories of decoders sold at varying prices, stressing that such sellers are not authorised by the commission.
According to him, the NBC will soon publish the list of approved dealers, official prices, and locations where genuine decoder boxes and accessories can be purchased.
The NBC boss said the DSO project is designed not only to improve television broadcasting but also to stimulate economic growth by creating jobs, attracting investment, and opening up opportunities for businesses that support the broadcasting industry.
Ebuebu noted that content producers and broadcasters stand to benefit significantly from the nationwide reach of the DSO platform.
Unlike the previous system, where many stations had limited regional audiences, he said the new platform will make their channels available to viewers across Nigeria.
He added that the introduction of audience measurement technology will provide scientific and reliable data on television viewership.
Ebuebu added that audience measurement technology will give advertisers greater confidence in placing adverts and enable broadcasters to demonstrate the true size and reach of their audiences nationwide.
Uchenna Mbunabo, Nigerian filmmaker, has raised concerns over the alleged unauthorised broadcast of Nollywood films by some Ghanaian television stations, calling on Ghana’s National Film Authority (NFA) to strengthen the enforcement of copyright laws.
Uchenna Mbunabo, Nigerian filmmaker
Mbunabo made the remarks during a conversation with James Gardiner, deputy CEO of the National Film Authority (NFA) of Ghana.
He questioned whether it was permissible for television stations in Ghana to download Nigerian movies from YouTube and air them without obtaining permission from the producers.
“I noticed that Ghanaian TV stations, the way they are stealing our films and showing them for free with impunity. Is it legalised in your country for TV stations to go on YouTube, download people’s sweat and show it for free?”
According to Mbunabo, some Ghanaian television stations have been downloading newly released Nollywood films from YouTube and broadcasting them without authorisation, depriving producers of revenue generated through the platform.
He also stated that he had not witnessed Nigerian television stations engaging in similar practices and questioned what measures Ghana was taking to protect filmmakers’ intellectual property.
Responding to the concerns, Gardiner acknowledged that the issue exists and said the National Film Authority had begun engaging relevant stakeholders to address it.
He disclosed that the NFA has held discussions with the Ministry of Communications, the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the National Media Commission (NMC) on improving copyright enforcement.
Gardiner explained that while Ghana has copyright laws, enforcement remains challenging because many television stations now operate digitally and may not have physical offices within the country.
“There are copyright laws, but they are not effective because a lot of the TV stations don’t have offices. Most of them are now digital, so they operate from anywhere. They can even have a Ghanaian TV station but be operating from Austria simply because it is digital.”
He added that authorities are considering a new licensing framework that would require broadcasters to undergo a fresh licensing process to improve monitoring and enforcement.
According to Gardiner, television stations found guilty of illegally broadcasting copyrighted content would be required to compensate affected producers through fines.
He added that repeat offenders could face suspension of their broadcasting licences, while a third violation could result in the revocation of their licences.
Although he did not provide a specific timeline, Gardiner said the reforms were already underway and expressed hope that significant progress would be seen next year.
Mbunabo welcomed the proposed measures but urged the National Film Authority to expedite the process, stating that unauthorised broadcasts continue to affect filmmakers’ ability to recover production costs through legitimate distribution channels such as YouTube.
He also stressed that his comments were not directed at Ghana’s film industry, noting that he has worked with several Ghanaian actors over the years and supports collaborations between Nollywood and Ghallywood.
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