ZUKU TV HITS 35,000+ SUBSCRIBERS

After just 5 months since the official launch of Zuku TV in Nairobi, the company is happy to announce that it has reached over 35,000 subscribers.  Zuku, the first East African home entertainment brand that provides Pay TV service has launched successfully in 3 East African markets namely: Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania in less than 6 months. 

Wananchi Group CEO, Mr. Richard Bell stated that he is extremely delighted with the uptake of Zuku Satellite TV products thus far. "Zuku has been very well received in the markets that we have rolled out in. Part of the reason for our success we believe is our commitment to providing fresh, innovative and affordable entertainment for the "Wananchi". We have experienced unprecedented demand for our product to the point where we are selling out in a lot of our stores. ." he said. "We however would like to also reassure our customers that we are in the process of replenishing our stocks in time for the festive season," he added.

The brand has especially been snapped up by consumers residing out of Nairobi, increasing TV penetration in the country. Zuku TV plans to offer its service to consumers in 11 countries across Africa including; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Djibouti, Malawi and Somalia. Already the brand is available in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania with a planned launch in the rest of the countries in the course of next year.

Pay TV penetration in the countries it is targeting is presently at less than 1%. Zuku's aim is to provide affordable quality content which is suitable for the entire family.

Zuku TV offers a wide selection of entertainment channels covering news, sports, movies, documentaries and music. These include various 3^rd party channels such as BBC, MTV Base, Setanta Sports, MGM Movies and E to name but a few. The provider also offers many of its own tailor-made channels such as Zuku Africa airing African content, Zuku Life airing documentaries, Zuku Sports as well as a number of themed movie channels. The service is available via satellite throughout Kenya.

 Wananchi Group Holdings, which owns the Zuku Brand, has in the past three years, invested over Kshs. 14 billion towards building the business which includes PayTv, broadband internet and VoIP services.

ZUKU TO CARRY FOX CHANNELS

The East African three-in-one service package from WananchiGroup, Zuku, is to carry four FOX International Channels across Wananchi’scable and DTH platforms.

As per the agreement, Zuku will carry FOX Entertainment, FX,NatGeo Adventure and Baby TV. FOX International reaches over 875 million peopleworldwide across 35 different languages.

Says Hannelie Bekker, MD of Wananchi Programming: “The dealwith Fox International Channels marks another exciting step for Wananchi,supporting our ongoing drive to offer viewers a diverse range of programming.This partnership reflects the caliber of our channel partners and the choice ofprogrammes we offer. A key part of Wananchi’s positioning is deliveringacclaimed content at affordable prices and these channels are a fantasticaddition, further bolstering our offering to a wider demographic within theEast African populations’’.

Thandi Davids, regional director, Broadcasting & Sales:Africa at FOX International Channels says: “In our continuous quest to offersmart and innovative programmes that entertain and educate audiences across alldemographics we are delighted to bring FOX International Channels to Zukusubscribers.  

 It is important that brands and content satisfy local tastesand resonate with local viewers in geographies across the world and we arepleased that East Africans will now be able to access our content through Zuku.We look forward to continuing to work closely with Zuku to bring subscriberseven more TV choice from our world leading bouquet of channels.”

ROBERT MUGABE…WHAT HAPPENED? THE DOCUMENTARY

A stunning look at how Zimbabwe’s controversial leader President Robert Mugabe turned from saint to sinner after assuming power in 1980 airs on the FX Only in Africa Season 2 strand on Zuku TV last weekend.
Robert Mugabe… What happened?, is directed by Simon Bright and produced by Michael Auret, and the documentary had its World Premiere two months ago in Cape Town as the opening night film at the Encounters South Africa International Documentary Film Festival.
Billed as the definitive account of Mugabe’s life, it dramatically illustrates his role in the successful struggle for liberation and development of the country but also his ruthless and cunning retention of power at all costs.
In publicity material, Bright said that the documentary “gives Mugabe the credit where it’s due”.



“It’s an exploration of what happened to a promising African leader who was well respected and it recognises his fight for freedom and against Apartheid. But it also explores the forces that caused him to effectively destroy a lot of what he built.”
In parallel narratives Bright tells the stories of Rhodesia’s transition to Zimbabwe and the personal journey of Mugabe, using one to explain the other, finally suggesting why Mugabe chose the road he has taken.
As a biography it makes for compelling viewing with first-hand accounts of Mugabe’s early life with a desperately poor Catholic mother, what he was like at school, the effects of a Jesuit education and his rage against his absent father.



As his star ascends commentators reflect on early landmarks, particularly his attendance of Ghana’s independence celebrations in 1957. It’s clear the highly intellectual Mugabe was admired and respected through the 1960s and 70s, Bright traces the origins of the adoration towards Mugabe through fascinating archival film interviews with some of his ardent supporters.
The parallel story of the transition is equally well researched, as are later episodes of importance, notably Lancaster House, the Matabeleland genocide and the growing role of global business in Africa’s economies. But it’s the behind-the-scenes jostling for power which Bright exposes that is the most riveting, and from it Mugabe emerges as unquestionably one of history’s most canny, devious leaders.
Accompanied by a haunting soundtrack, the music is an achievement in itself, a mix of liberation, folk and contemporary sounds. It is Mugabe as not seen before…
“Robert Mugabe… What Happened?” aired on Saturday, 03 September at 22:30 CET on FX Only In Africa Season 2 on ZukuTV.