South African pay-TV broadcaster M-Net has created Kowee, which it believes is the first multi-language kids channel in Africa. Aimed at the under six age group Kowee was launched a year ago in Afrikaans and is now available with an isiZulu simulcast option.
Koowee broadcasts on channel 307 on DStv from 6am to 9pm. There are 15 brand new programmes on the channel created locally to suit the local market. The programmes are ground in South Africa and reflect the vibrant cultures around it.
M-Net identified the opportunity to create children’s programming for children with the unique challenge of doing so in their mother tongue.
Says content executive Helga Palmer: “It’s been a massive project but the results are fantastic. We have been honored to be part of this innovative project. It is especially rewarding that we make the Koowee content accessible to the isiZulu speaking child, as well as creating a platform for any child to learn a new language. And with the prospect of including more languages to the channel in the future, making it accessible to an even broader audience is truly remarkable’.
