NEW independent television station, 3Ktv, continues to make waves among Zimbabweans for the quality of its programming, two weeks into its historic launch.
The Managing Director of Jester Media Services’ Broadcasting Division, Zweli Sibanda, told the Daily News yesterday that the response to the station by both viewers and advertisers had already surpassed management’s forecasts and projections for the first full three months.
“The support that we have received so far from both viewers and our business partners is most pleasing and well beyond what we expected so early into 3Ktv’s launch.
“The vast majority of both our free-to-air and satellite viewers have commended 3Ktv for the quality of its programming, pictures and sound.
“We do not take this amazing support from our stakeholders for granted, and we pledge to them that we will continue to aspire to do even better going forward,” Sibanda said.
Responding to apparent confusion about whether 3Ktv was only available on DStv’s Channel 293, he said the station had also been available free-to-air from its first day of going live.
“Our broadcasts have been, and will continue to be available for free to anyone with an appropriate television set or receiving equipment, without requiring a subscription,” he added.
3Ktv went live on Monday 28 February 2022, becoming the first licensed free-to-air private station to operate in the country since television was first introduced in the then Southern Rhodesia in November 1960.
The station’s powerhouse Head of Programming, Christina Nyirenda-Chimuka, has previously told the Daily News that there is an enormous appetite for “excellent, independent and locally-produced television content in the country and among Zimbabweans in the diaspora” — such as is provided by 3Ktv.
“Zimbabweans have been crying for competition and more quality local programming for quite some time, and they now have it in 3Ktv.
“Indeed, and with the tag line ‘The Best of Zimbabwe’, 3Ktv is well set to meet this hunger for riveting, 24/7 television programming.
“I’ve been around a bit in the media, and I’m convinced that our new baby will be a game-changer in terms of the production, marketing and consumption of local TV products,” Nyirenda-Chimuka said.
All this comes as many jubilant Zimbabweans, drawn from different sectors, have warmly welcomed 3Ktv’s launch.
The history-making station was licenced in November 2020, having come tops following a credible and keenly-fought bidding and public hearing process.
3Ktv is a sister venture to Zimbabwe’s iconic and number one business newspaper, The Financial Gazette, as well as the inimitable Daily News and the Daily News On Sunday.
