NAIROBI, Kenya, June 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
As I prepare to head off to Rwanda, on the first stop of a 4-country tour of East Africa, I am impressed by how much broadcasting has changed in this region since I joined AFRICA24 MEDIA 3 years ago. The Kenyan market has become very competitive with new channels launching and grand plans for the digital migration. Tanzanian stations have started selling advertising and have been taking on very distinct personalities. In Rwanda there is increasing competition, with a new station, Contact TV, that has just started up this year. I am looking forward to a first-hand look at the changes in Burundi and Uganda, although I have heard very positive reports on Urban TV in the latter country.
The EAC has been taking steps to breaking down borders in terms of trade and employment. This is very much the path that I experienced living among the TIGER economies of East Asia in the late 80's and 1990's. Trade agreements reducing or eliminating tariffs; allowing for visa-free tourist travel; encouraging free movements of labor; all led to regional integration (despite everyone speaking a different language) and economic boom times. I hope that I'll see the same here in East Africa, as well as the rest of the continent in the coming years.
East Africa, here I come! I hope to find the same optimism I have in the TV stations throughout the region. With so many multi-national corporations moving or increasing operations in the region there is a terrific opportunity for broadcasters to provide opportunities for these companies to use the power of TV to brand and attract an elite audience. Of course, quality programming that appeals to a demographic who travels and invests across Africa, should provide just the audience these potential advertisers are looking for. I'll be looking forward to bringing some of these ideas with me in my travels over the next few weeks.
Kigali, Bujumbura, Kampala, Dar, let's get ready to see some innovative programming and discuss how this region can take advantage of the momentum the EAC has created recently. It sure is fun working in TV!!!
Contact:
Jackline Anyango, Telephone +254725060464, [email protected]
SOURCE AFRICA24 MEDIA
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