On Digital Media’s (ODM) pay TV platform StarSat has brought new meaning to empowering producers in the broadcast industry. StarSat has taken an approach that will not only allow them to have fresh, relevant and strong local content available in their packages, but also assist with the growth of the industry by supporting and empowering independent producers.
StarSat structures pre-license deals where it commits to content intended to resonate with audiences from concept stage. The deal ensures the producer is provided with the necessary documents and confirmations to enable them to raise funds which will be augmented with their pre-license fee, and also allows for them to produce the programme. Once the programme has been produced, StarSat broadcasts it as per the license conditions while the intellectual property rights of the programme remains with the producer.
StarSat says that one of the biggest challenges faced by new-comers in the South African television market is the cost of the production of local content. Entrants are dependent on subscription and airtime sales revenue, which could prove challenging when a brand is still new and establishing itself. “Even though the quota for local content on subscription broadcasting is mandated by the broadcasting license provided by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), the research we have done demonstrates that the most watched content and channels by a vast majority of South Africans is local content’, comments David Makubyane, senior manager of content at ODM. It is for this reason that StarSat understands that having local content on their platform is a pre-requisite.
StarSat is launching three new exclusive shows that will keep its viewers entertained this festive season. The first and most popular is David Kau’s House, a one-of-a-kind scripted comedy show that tells the story of the comedy king, David Kau, starring in a reality show based on his life as a stand-up comedian and filmmaker.
The other shows are Wired, a locally produced sitcom, and two dramas, Twisted and Sweetest Taboo.
