Multichoice gives One Africa a boost

MultiChoice Namibia yesterday officially welcomed free-to-air broadcaster One Africa television into its bouquet of offerings, now available on DSTV’s Channel 284. One Africa’s interim MD Madryn Cosburn said yesterday the feat represented a major milestone for the channel, which previously was only available via analogue signal, and the 2012 launched GoTV. “There is a great deal of presige associated with being available on a service alongside some of the best television channels available, and I am humbled to be here as it is the result of the tireless dedication and hard work of a small team of amazing Namibians,” Cosburn said. The major benefits of One Africa’s digitisation, he said, include a much better picture quality compared with its existing (and continuing) analogue platform; and improved reach to more Namibian households. “Previously, if you lived in an area where terrestrial transmissions were not available, the options to receive our free service were limited. Now One Africa’s free-to-air-broadcast is available at no additional cost for all Multichoice Namibia’s bouquets,” Cosburn said. “These subscribers can now watch an additional locally compiled schedule, including local relevant and factual news, without changing remotes or installing additional equipment.” Multichoice Namibia General Manager Roger Gertze said the company not only valued the role of free-to-air broadcasters, but also saw an opportunity through One Africa television to improve its offering of local content. “As a business, we will continue to form strategic partnerships that will lead to investment in African-based viewer content for our subscribers through our various channels and bouquets,” Gertze said, citing One Africa’s strength in catering to a primarily youthful, urban audience.