Television in Africa in the Digital Age (Gender and Cultural Studies in Africa and the Diaspora)

This book places television in Africa in the digital context. It address the onslaught of multimedia platforms, digital migration and implication of this technology for society. The discussions in the chapters contained in this book encompass a wide range of issues such as digital disruption of television news, internet television and video on demand platforms, adaptations, digital migration, business strategies and management approaches, PBS, consumption patterns, scheduling and programming, evangelical television, and many others. The book is an important reading for academics, students and television practitioners. It offers an insightful view of television in Africa. Acknowledgements Praise for Television in Africa in the Digital Age Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures Navigating the Digital Milieu in the Context of Television in Africa: A Synchronic Appraisal of the Disjunctures, Continuities and Prospects Introduction The Current Digital Environment Television in Africa Disjunctures Continuities Prospects Regulation and Policy Conclusion References Disjunctures Entertaining Africans: Creative Innovation in the (Internet) Television Space Introduction Methodology Bridging or Reinforcing the Domestic/Diasporic Divide? The Constraints and Solutions to Internet Television in Continental Africa Beyond “Competition” in the African (Internet) Television Marketplace: New Business and Regional Alliances Showmax Meets Zuku IROKO Meets Canal+ Online Video Didn’t Kill the Linear Star: Old and New Media Convergence in the African Television Space Conclusion: Towards Connectivity Bibliography Understanding Netflix’s Foray into Original Productions in South Africa: A “Jet Plane” and “Helicopter” View Introduction A “Jet Plane” View: Policy Implications Netflix an Extension of the Empire? Critical Media Industry Studies Approach: A “Helicopter” View Combining Jet Plane and Helicopter Views in a South African Context Conclusion References Digital Disruption in South African Television News Introduction Media Trust The Youth Brands Revenue Stream Africa in a Nutshell Disruption in South Africa Brand Trust in South Africa Convergence Is Key Challenges Fake News Resources (or Lack Thereof) Juniorisation of the Media Lack of Integration Nobody Has It Right Younger Audiences Explainer Journalism Speed Versus Accuracy Click Bait Threats to Journalists Disintermediation Conclusion References Culturally Refigured: Assimilating Oedipus Rex into the Yoruba Mythical Universe Through Television Adaptation Processes Introduction Classical Reception Theory: Paradigm and Critique The Post-Modernist Challenge Measuring the Proximity of Location of Cultural Adaptations Integration: The Gods Canon Fully Integrated: The Gods Are Still not to Blame 2012 Conclusion Postscript References Continuities “Strike Fear in the Heart of the White Men”: Hate Language on Digital Television—The Case of ZBC Television Online News Introduction The Online Media Environment Leading to the Presidential Election Run-off Hate Language: The Struggle for Definitions and Meaning Hate Language as a Problem of the Media Theoretical Positioning: Discourse Theory A Note on Methodology Findings Hate Language, Stigmatised and ‘Othered’ Identities Whipping up Vitriol Against the Opposition Hate Words Discussion: From Coverage of Election News to Participation in Hate Language Broadcast Conclusion References Persuasion Across Platforms: A Rhetorical Analysis of Televised and Digitised News Reports on Economic Matters Introduction Rhetorical Analysis as a Theoretical Framework Economics and Rhetoric Economic Journalism in South Africa Method Findings and Discussion Logos Appeals: How Words and Visuals Are Used to Appeal to Rationality Pathos Appeals: How Words and Visuals Are Used to Appeal to Emotions Ethos Appeals: How Words and Visuals Are Used to Appeal to Credibility Conclusion References Exodus, Access and Inequalities: The Impact of Digital Migration in the Least Developed Countries of Africa Introduction Digital Migration: A Brief Context Theorising Technological Adaptation Digital Migration in the Context of Marginalisation and Exclusion Challenges of Digital Broadcasting Migration in Africa The Cost of Digital Migration Poor Planning Commercial Nature of Digital Platforms Policy Challenges Implications Reshaping Public Interest Television Africa and the Digital Economy Conclusion References Prospects Digitization of Television in Kenya: Changing Trends in Content and Consumption Introduction Kenyan Broadcasting Landscape: Background and Context Television Content and Media Convergence Digitization of Television in Kenya Theoretical Framework Methodology Findings Effects of Digitization on Kenyan Television Structure Digitization and Viewer Satisfaction New Trends in the Established Functions of the Television Medium Conclusion References Analysing How Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC TV) and Eswatini TV (ESTV) Are Adapting to the Digital Era Introduction The Proliferation of the Internet and the Growth of Citizen Activity Online The State of Broadcasting in Zimbabwe and Eswatini Zimbabwe Eswatini Technological Determinism Technological Determinism and Journalism Methodology Findings ZBC TV and Eswatini TV Websites State Dominance on ZBC TV and ESTV Social Media Platforms A Disregard of Oppositional Viewpoints on Facebook An Additional Platform but no Change of Content Interviews Zimbabwe Eswatini TV Discussion Conclusion References Regulation and Policy Chinese State Capitalism and the Transition to Digital Television in Africa Introduction Political Economy of Chinese State Capitalism The Rising Influence of China in Africa Chinese State Capitalism and the African Media Landscape The Case of the Digital Migration in Zambia The Case of the Digital Migration in Nigeria The Case of the Digital Migration in Kenya Conclusion References Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB) in Botswana: Prospects and Challenges Introduction Methodology Overview of Migration to DTTB Adoption of Digital Television Broadcasting Overview of Television Broadcasting in Botswana Prospects of Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting for Btv Digital Television Switchover at Btv The Challenges Encountered During Migration in Botswana Inadequate Accessibility and Acquisition of Set-Top Boxes Audiences’ Lack of Education About the Digital Migration Project Government’s Reluctance to Effectively Use DTTB Conclusion References Dilemmas in Zimbabwe’s Public Broadcasting in the Era of Digitisation Introduction Digitisation and the Reconfiguration of Public Broadcasting Change Without Change? Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in a Developing State Digitisation in Zimbabwe: The Elephant in the Room? Methodological Considerations Reading Habermas’ Public Sphere into Zimbabwe’s Undigitising Media Landscape Discussion and Analysis The Challenges and State of Digitisation of ZBC Political and Economic Constraints ZBC Faces ZBC and Its Role in Zimbabwe Society Conclusion References Concluding Remarks: Looking Backward, Looking Forward Reference Index "This book brings together a multifarious discourse on 21st century television industry by exploring the digital milieu in the context of the medium in Africa. The variety and depth of the chapters included make it a compelling reading for university students, television practitioners and academics" - Muhammed Musa, Professor, Department of Media and Creative Industries, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain "This book is a welcome effort in that it presents critical reflections on an important medium in Africa - television - by African scholars" - Simphiwe Sesanti, Professor, Faculty of Education, University of the Western Cape (UWC) and Editor of the International Journal of African Renaissance Studies (IJARS) This book places television in Africa in the digital context. It addresses the onslaught of multimedia platforms, digital migration and implication of this technology for society. The discussions in the chapters contained in this book encompass a wide range of issues such as digital disruption of television news, internet television and video on demand platforms, adaptations, digital migration, business strategies and management approaches, PBS, consumption patterns, scheduling and programming, evangelical television, and many others. The book is an important reading for academics, students and television practitioners. Gilbert Motsaathebe, PhD is an Associate Professor of Communication and Media at the University of Johannesburg. Sarah H. Chiumbu, PhD is an Associate Professor in the School of Communication at the University of Johannesburg