By Robert Tapfumaneyi
LOCAL television viewers can look forward to more exciting local, regional and international TV programmes as the country’s first privately owned Joy Television is back on air.
Joy Media Incorporated (JMI) is coming back in partnership with the ZimbabweBroadcasting Corporation (ZBC) and will be re-launched within the first quarter of 2019.
The TV station started operating in 1998 but went off air in 2002 when ZBC terminated its lease on allegations that the private station had violated the Broadcasting Services Act that was enacted in 2001.
In an interview with NewZimbabwe.com Kushinga Makamba director of Joy TV Media Incorporated (JMI) said locals should look forward to more entertaining programmes.
“We are excited to be back on air and our programming is something that viewers should look forward to and it will be difficulty for them to leave the station once we go on air,” said Makamba.
“This is also a chance for local television producers to showcase their talent and the country is not short of that because we have seen some of the programmes that have been shared on social media.”
“Joy TV, you will love this station! that our motto,” she added.
In a joint statement released this week, both ZBC and JMI said the partnership would complement the public broadcaster’s programming.
The arrangement also comes at a time when ZBC is preparing for digital switch over and will see the national broadcaster introducing an additional 6 new television channels.
“ZBC and JMI are proud of this initiative the benefits of this new venture will go beyond enhancing the face of Zimbabwean television but will help contribute towards vision 2030 by way of employment creation for Zimbabwe’s many young talented creative producers and helping Zimbabwe to achieve its own mark in developing creative productions for the international entertainment market,” reads the joint statement.
“The channel will air a wide variety of genres that will include but will not be limited to current affairs programming, sitcoms, series movies reality shows, talk shows travel and tourism among others.”
The channel will run as a 24-hour family entertainment channel.
