Channel O to Feature Kenya Music Series

Channel O to Feature Kenya Music Series

Channel O

Africa's leading music channel, Channel O, is getting ready to air a new show featuring Kenyan music. Channel O, which airs in Kenya through DStv, has asked for proposals for a show that strictly originates from Kenya and features

mainly Kenyan artistes.

Kenya: Channel O to Feature Series

 

The Nation (Nairobi)

17 June 2007
Posted to the web 18 June 2007

Philip Mwaniki
Nairobi

Africa's leading music channel, Channel O, is preparing for an entertainment show featuring Kenyan music.

Channel O, which airs in Kenya through DStv, has asked for proposals for a show that strictly originates from Kenya and features mainly Kenyan artistes.

"The Channel is looking to fund a series that is entertaining and exciting and producers are encouraged to break boundaries in terms of content and format design. The series should have a mass appeal and not only target the Channel O and DStv viewers," says Joseph Hundah, the MNet director of operations in sub-Saharan Africa.

"We are not seeking to imitate any existing format. We are looking for a format that will be completely new, and will have a distinct Kenyan and East African flavour. This concept should appeal emotionally and intellectually to the viewers," Hundah says.

Channel O has set aside US$60,000 (Sh4.1 million) towards the making of 13 episodes of a 24-minute weekly music show.

But, according to reports, the final budget will depend on the scope and scale of the proposed new format and the producer will be encouraged to find additional sponsorship to enhance their production budget. The producer must, however, liaise with Channel O on the sponsorship elements.

The deadline for submission of proposals is the end of June and, if a suitable format is found, Channel O aims to start production in August.

Proposals

The proposals should not be longer than 10 pages and must include a detailed creative treatment, summary format or synopsis, preliminary budget breakdown and a basic production time line.

One will also be expected to supply detailed resumes of the director, producer, writer and production manager. One must also have a registered company.Interested people can drop their works at the MultiChoice offices in Westlands, Nairobi. Kenyan producers and musicians have welcomed the idea, saying this is Kenya's turn to tell its story.

Mark Moss, a video cameraman who has worked with many Kenyan artistes, has called upon Kenyan artistes to take this initiative seriously. "I hope producers will take up this project," he says.

Channel O, which will celebrate its 10 years' anniversary on October 17, started as a 12-hour music lifestyle show on digital satellite television and has since grown into Africa's hottest 24-hour music channel.

The new initiative is part of MNet's plan to allow creative Africans to display their talents. Last week, MNet and the Kenya Film Commission announced that they would sponsor a workshop for 10 Kenyan filmmakers and their Nigerian counterparts in August this year.

The project was launched under the belief that the vibrant Nollywood has lessons to teach Kenyan filmmakers.

The initiative is aimed at helping increase expression through film in Kenya. MNet believes that many more local stories can be made into commercially viable films that the Kenyan viewer can enjoy.

Emphasis will be on enhancing storytelling skills and efficient methods of production.