That is a timely reminder that local content is our top priority. There is a lot of new local content in Kenya but we are yet to experience a huge investment in that part of the TV value chain that benefits the smaller independent content producers. 

MNET has already invested heavily in a content production facility at Film Studios off Ngong' Road but the smaller players feel elbowed out by larger foreign organisations. There are efforts to organise the smaller content producers to negotiate better rates with the broadcast. Question is, how should the government intervene to help emerging indigenous content sources/producers? 

The criteria for classifying local content adopted by regulators in the EACO region allows for an expanded market for Kenyan producers. That means 'Churchill Show' or 'Hapa Kule' is accepted as 'local content' in Kampala or Bujumbura etc. However, the competition is increased since the same criteria applies for Rwandese local content being accepted as local content in Kenya. What incentives should we give to nurture the 'Made in Kenya - by Kenyans' kind of local content? The assumption is that such content will help indigenous content producers - the likes of Jennifer Gatero (of the "Changing Times" fame) and others benefit more from the emerging content value chain.


On Wednesday, June 17, 2015, Bitange Ndemo <bitange@jambo.co.ke> wrote:
In my view when we are confronted with a major issue that will change our
fortunes immeasurably, we never get to analyse how we benefit from the
changes but often we focus on side issues.  The major issue on migration
is content. We still lag behind on content and that is damaging our
cultural heritage irreversibly.  In order to sustain our cultural heritage
sustainably, African Brands must be out there through our own content.
Building brands is the new colonialism that is more ubiquitous than where
we have come from. It is only a matter of time before the OTTs take over
television if they have not taken it yet. In the absence of African
content, our children will start asking us why we cannot elect Wayne
Rooney or Lionel Messi for President.

Our failure to focus our energies on local content will eventually make
modern slaves. Comedy has taken to Nigerian Accent.  There is a full time
DJ on Milele FM dedicated to Nigerian Accent.  Nigeria's entry into
content will soon make the country the real hub of the creative economy.
Technologies will come and go but content will outlive all of us.  Let us
begin to think.

Ndemo.



> The day is finally here with us - the Analog TV Switch-Off deadline by the
> ITU. Kenya shares the podium with the very few other African countries
> that
> made it to the finish line. The three - Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya - have
> adopted Digital TV and switched off analogue TV signals. A lot remains to
> be done; but that is the scorecard for now.
>
> - How can we increase access to digital TV content in homes that had no
> TVs
> in the analogue age?
>
> - With the Budget2015 incentives for 'Made in Kenya' manufactured
> products,
> why not assemble the Digital TV decoders/STB locally?
>
>
>
> --
> Digital Television policy, regulation and technology in Africa on issues
> relating to Consumers, Content and Coverage. Based on engagements as EACO
> Assembly Chairmanship
> <http://www.cio.co.ke/news/main-stories/east-africa-broadcasters-raise-concern-over-startimes,-digital-migration,-local-content>
> , National Signals Networks
> <http://ppoa.go.ke/downloads/ARB%2520Decisions/2011%2520Decisions/DEC%2520CASE%2520NO.28-2011.pdf>
> tender
> bid and ADN BSD
> <http://cio.co.ke/blog/digitalmigration-in-kenya-needs-more-boardroom-and-less-courtroom>
> technical
> planning.
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>
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--
Digital Television policy, regulation and technology in Africa on issues relating to Consumers, Content and Coverage. Based on engagements as EACO Assembly Chairmanship, National Signals Networks tender bid and ADN BSD technical planning.