As from 10 October community radio station Cape Town TV (CTV) will be available to 20
million viewers across South Africa and Lesotho on the DStv satellite pay-TV platform
(channel 263).
The addition of CTV will give DStv subscribers even more local and community stories
from their own backyard as DStv already carries a wide range of community radio
stations, including Tshwane TV, Bay TV, Soweto TV and 1KZN.
Says CTV station manager, Karen Thorne: “This new development
represents a huge milestone in CTV’s history. The station has been broadcasting to
local audiences from the Tygerburg transmitter site since September 2008. Our funding
as a non-profit community broadcaster is limited, so joining the DStv family will enable
us to access a larger audience and thus attract more advertising revenue. More funding
means we will be able to increase local content reflecting the people, issues and events
of the Mother City.’
CEO of MultiChoice South Africa Collins Khumalo adds:
“MultiChoice’s DStv platform has become a place where providers of television
entertainment want to be. We welcome CTV to our family of channels. DStv is proud to
be the carrier of some of the most popular local and international television
entertainment brands. We offer our customers a one-stop shop for their television
entertainment needs in great digital quality.’
CTV is at pains to point out that it is not neglecting its local free-to-air viewers and
recently acquired a second transmission frequency for its Tygerberg transmitter. The
new frequency is low in the frequency spectrum and so provides viewers with a strong
signal that gives good picture and sound quality.
Some of the flagship programmes on CTV include:
CTV News:a daily news bulletin covering topical events and delving
into the underlying socio-economic issues that affect the community.
Documentaries: CTV is most well known in Cape Town for its
innovative, thought-provoking an often controversial documentary programmes.
Ek Se: an innovative, daily youth programme produced by and for
youth from the Cape flats and beyond. It focuses on important social issues affecting
youth as well as looking at the lighter side of life.
Taxi Vision: Cape Town’s famous funnyman Soli Philander and his
crew take viewers on an uproarious “taxi ride’ where they delve into the things that get
Capetonians talking, uncover the talents of local performers and entertain viewers with
songs and their irreverent wit.
Al Jazeera English: outstanding journalism and insightful coverage
of news events from around the world. This global news organisation often delivers
reports on events in South Africa.
Flip-side of the Coin: consumer rights journalist Moeshfieka Botha
talks to experts on consumer issues and personal finance, educating and informing
viewers on how to manage their financial affairs.
Democracy Now: looks at international current affairs from a
progressive perspective.
Cape Rugby: CTV’s popular amateur rugby show, where sports
personality J.P. Naude chats to players and officials from the Western Province Rugby
Union on matches, results and rugby issues.
From the Clubhouse: this sports show focuses on amateur cricket
in Cape Town. Discussions with cricketers take place in local club houses, highlighting
what’s happening on the cricket pitch.
T.E.D. Talks: the latest advances in Technology, Education and
Design – fascinating, illustrated talks delivered by pioneers, inventors and innovative
thinkers in a wide variety of fields.
Wellness for Her: targets working class women and focusing on
women’s health and wellbeing.
Worker’s World: this labour show brings in experts to discuss
issues affecting people in the workplace as well as human rights issues in communities.
Link TV: international culture and world music.
Open Studio: promoting public access and freedom of expression,
this daily slot gives members of the community an opportunity to host their own talk
show on any topic.
CTV Sport: this show shines a light on sporting codes that are
under-represented in the media, especially women’s sports, and creates a space to
discuss issues in sport such as sports development and transformation.
Street Talk: CTV’s longest standing independent production that
brings together ordinary people to talk about issues ranging from sex to the state of
our democracy.
