This is a Pro Post. This is also my first Pro Post
, so do bear while I try find my bearings here.
Disclaimer: I am working on a thing with Nation Media Group. And I don’t watch much TV.
Turning on your world? There is a new NTV. A brighter NTV. A sexier NTV. But like everyone else, I am asking myself, whats new? What is different? Making it worth watching?
I spoke to Ann Gitao, Head Of Marketing for Nation Broadcasting and Digital. Here is what she pretty much had to say.
“New identity
NTV has unveiled a brand new identity that reflects the changing face of Kenyan television. The changes include a new onscreen logo and identity which is brighter, fun, and more exciting. The new station ID is entertainment driven in comparison to the previous one which was very ‘newsy’. This is in response to changing consumer trends where programming is playing a more significant role than news in driving station ratings. The new logo represents ‘The Ribbon of Life’ in its many hues and forms. Television weaves itself into our every day lives through news, information and programming. The station music has also changed and is now more upbeat, modern and entertaining, in line with the new logo. The new logo captures the new spirit of NTV and its new promise to viewers to keep them captivated and glued to their screens every night.
Programming
NTV’s new program line-up includes a fine mix of quality local productions and the best of what Hollywood can offer. Of the fifteen programs across the week between 7.30pm and 9pm, eleven are local shows, produced to international standards. They include Top Comic and Love in 60 seconds. NTV is not only tapping into the huge potential of the local industry, it is also helping to develop it.
NTV’s offering of internationally acquired programming will be second to none. NTV has purchased the rights to four of the top five series released in Hollywood last year.
The station’s programming is focused on romance, comedy, reality and drama, the most popular program genres in Kenya. The prime time shows (7.30pm – 11.30pm) include:
- Seven reality shows a week
- Six thrilling series every week
- A romantic soap opera every day of the week
- Several local and foreign comedies
The entertainment line up is in no way meant to eclipse NTV’s formidable news offering. We have continued to strengthen our news gathering and production. Our reportage will continue being courageous and informative. We will also make an extra effort to showcase the positive aspects of our country rather than focus on the doom and the gloom.
- Ann Gitao, HOM, Nation Broadcasting and Digital
The “new NTV” is arguably brighter, and sexier, from the new colour scheme, its like looking at a new TV station. There is youth, life, in the new layout, the colours much brighter. NTV has shed the old gaunt Corporate look. The news look. The drab blues. Nation is a Media Group, not a newspaper company and this proves it. Granted I’m 50/50 on the Ribbon thingy, I’ve heard it called everything, my sister calls it a worm, others call it a squiggly, others see it as The Ribbon and some people love it, while others hate it, but the other part of the logo I’m sold. Its showing the new possibilities, new magic, a new look, its just bloody good.
And who drives NTV? Ian Fernandes. Arguably the smartest man in TV in East and Central Africa. He knows his stuff. Very well. A media guru is what was needed here. I personally believe that TV is in Ian. I daresay, he is a magician.
Programming
There are the new programmes and the old ones. Which has made me wonder what exactly is new here? As I watch TV? The greatest failure of any TV channel in Kenya in my books is conformity. Sunday morning, all the channels I watch have Christian TV shows, all of them except CNBC. Makes me wonder what channel sells God better. And this is something I have been against, because I tend to feel that other religions have been left out. I am yet to see an Islam moment on Friday afternoon, but then again, that might disagree with viewership ratings. I would believe that a break from the tradition would set them aside, forward. However, I guess my “special friend” is happy that Beverly Hills 90210 is finally on TV. When we spoke late Thursday night, she was watching that. Personally, I prefer Cartoon Network, TCM and Makers of a Nation.
However, keep an eye out for Drama in the form of Grey’s Anatomy, Eli Stone, Smallville, amongst other things. There is even a local production called Guy Centre.
For those in the Romance Dept (not me and many other red blooded males), there is Catalina and Sebastian, Sa Piling Mo and I think that’s it.
Reality wise, we can expect The Bachelor, America’s Got Talent, Top Comic with Churchill, and Love In 60 Seconds with Olivia Otieno (no Cookie Monster Jokes please). There is even a nice Tourism Show called Kenya My Land.
Samantha Who? and The Game are new Comedy additions. Comedy has got to be the biggest drivers in any TV channel, I hope to see more.
Talk brings The Oprah Winfrey Show and Hatua TV Talk Show with Maina Kiai.
What remains? Beba Beba, Wash & Set, Sebuleni, The Beat (Though I hear people prefer MTV), Rush Live and many other shows. There is even WTV which I admit I haven’t watched. This show covers Events and People in Kenya, definitely one I’d like to keep an eye on.
And this means that probably, I should get to bringing the TV from the farm to my place and start watching NTV. Maybe. I want to be sold. Im 98% there. Why should I be addicted to NTV?
The Future
I am hoping that as NTV improves on other things, we can expect to see more. I would like to see a unique form of entertainment. I want to see more entertainment relevant to me, family, unique, not forced, not chasing other channels in conformity, one that’s unique and can boast unique viewership based on uniqueness. I want to believe that NTV is for me. There is certainly a big hole in NTV. Sports. La Liga? Premier League? Rugby? Its not there. And Generation 3? While there should be something for kids, something locally done, Generation 3 is just not it. I would hope for a better revision of movies. I find the movies a bit too old and not fresh. Not the TCM ones. TCM rocks!!!
However, I think they have set off in the right direction and that its just a matter of time. Their investment in local productions is a good thing. Means more local shows and better quality, and overall better programming. The Rainbow, worm, squiggly or what not. It couldn’t have come at a better time. Lets see the Magician at work.
