Pay-Television giant, MultiChoice, has announced plans to use new digital technology to deliver African content to global audiences.
The announcement was by Ms. Yholisa Phahle, MultiChoice’s CEO of Entertainment, on Wednesday, the first day of the 5th Digital Dialogue Conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The Digital Dialogue is a thought-leadership platform established in 2012 and facilitated by MultiChoice to address various issues facing the video entertainment industry on the continent and share industry best practices.
Addressing a delegation comprising of several international industry thought-leaders and key media stakeholders from across the African continent, Phahle said rapid advancement in digital technology in Africa have created new opportunities to innovate on content delivery.
She stated that the digital disruption has changed and will continue to change how subscribers consume MultiChoice’s products.
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She explained that MultiChoice feels duty-bound to play an active role in the process because it has invested in Africa and is committed to the future of the continent
Her presentation set the tone for the conference with its positive outlook into the future directions of video entertainment and how the industry is responding to the rapid change in technology when it comes to platforms of content delivery.
“If you speak to any of the people involved in the early days of MultiChoice, one of the things they remind me of is the absolute necessity to not just understand what the future holds but to shape the future, to be a disrupter and if necessary even to cannibalize yourself.
“‘Why launch GOtv when you already have DStv?’ for example, but MultiChoice Africa was launched by people who were creating a media company not for the present, but one for the future,” she said.
She disclosed that MultiChoice produces over 16 local content channels across the continent showcasing local storytellers and created the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards that celebrate African filmmaking, adding that the company works with local broadcasters so that East Africans can see what is happening in West and Southern Africa.
“As a company, we are looking forward to investing even more in telling local stories, documenting our history and providing a platform for Africans to share African stories.
“But today in the midst of the ongoing digital revolution – we collectively have the opportunity to not only tell stories that educate and inform African audiences, the digital age means we are in a position to take African stories to the world, and create a global market for what we do.
“By using the internet and leveraging technology, we have the ability to reach audiences at a global level and the success of companies like Iroko TV, artists like Davido, actresses like Lupita Nyong’o and the movie Black Panther are confirmation that the world is ready to consume African stories, celebrate African culture and embrace African languages,” she said.
