INDEPENDENT research has confirmed that privately-owned national commercial television station, 3Ktv, is now the most watched Zimbabwean channel on satellite.
In addition, the history-making, free-to-air channel is beginning to make significant strides on the digital terrestrial broadcasting front, as authorities slowly start to roll out the required set top boxes.
This is according to the latest report of the non-partisan Zimbabwe All Media and Products Survey (ZAMPS) for the first six months of 2022, that was finalised when 3Ktv was just three months old — which all ties in with internal research which shows that the station has been a runaway success.
ZAMPS is a continuous local media study that is commissioned by the Zimbabwe Advertising Research Foundation (ZARF). It gathers data on the consumption and usage of different media platforms and commercially-produced products for use by advertisers and other interested parties.
The ZAMPS report also shows that 3Ktv is more popular overall in Zimbabwe than South African channels which include those under the stable of the giant South African Broadcasting Corporation.
In terms of total television viewership in the country, the six-decades old State broadcaster, ZTV — which enjoyed a monopoly until 3Ktv launched at the end of February this year — still leads the market with 16 percent of audiences.
3Ktv is in second place at two percent, ahead of Zimpapers’ ZTN at 0,4 percent. On satellite, which is where 3Ktv and ZTN are currently mostly available, ZTV only has a 0,46 percent market share.
Zweli Sibanda, Jester Media Services’ managing director for the group’s Broadcasting Division — the operators of 3Ktv — told the Daily News last night that the channel continued to be well ahead of all the projected viewership and advertising figures at this point.
“3Ktv is enjoying phenomenal support from Zimbabweans, which is reflected in the latest ZAMPS report and the station’s all-round solid performance.
“The support that we are getting from both viewers and our business partners continues to surpass all our initial projections.
“Not surprisingly, as a result, we are seeing more and more corporates coming on board to showcase their products and services on the station,” Sibanda said.
The fast-growing free-to-air station, which is also available on DStv’s Channel 293, was licensed in November 2020, after coming tops in a competitive and public bidding process.
It went on air on February 28, becoming the first licensed private commercial station to operate in the country since television was first introduced in the then Southern Rhodesia in November 1960.
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.
The station recently notched a major milestone when it struck a partnership with OK Zimbabwe to broadcast live this year’s mega OK Grand Challenge, which further underlined 3Ktv’s burgeoning reputation in the market as a capable, trusted and effective marketing vehicle.
“The partnership with OK Zimbabwe was indeed another feather in the cap for 3Ktv. To be trusted by a leading corporate like OK Zimbabwe on this massive event spoke volumes about the progress that we continue to make as a station.
“3Ktv embarked on its third season this week, and Zimbabweans can look forward to even better and improved programming.
“There is even more local content, more analysis about developments in our country and more varied content covering a broad spectrum of issues worth knowing.
“Our business partners will also be happy to know that 3Ktv has ramped up its collaboration with its sister media offerings, including the Daily News and The Financial Gazette, so that we can offer them a comprehensive and optimal branding and marketing solution on TV, in print and online” Sibanda said.
“Our pledge to all Zimbabweans is that 3Ktv will continue to make you proud through its riveting and independent programming that showcases the very best of our beautiful country, as the station’s motto goes,” he added.
3Ktv has retained many of its big-hitting programmes which launched when it first went live on air on February 28 this year for its third season.
Speaking to the Daily News earlier this week, the station’s new head of programming, Lucia Kanyongo, said the television station continued to shine, with more exciting programmes lined up for viewers for the next 13 weeks of the new season.
Kanyongo, who was previously 3Ktv’s executive producer, has succeeded Christina Chimuka in this position — who, in turn, has been elevated to the job of general manager for Events across the fast-growing Jester Media Services Group. Simbarashe Chivasa is the station’s new executive producer.
“We had a brilliant season two. We started season three today (Tuesday) and we are confident that it will surpass what we achieved in season two.
“We have a riveting line-up of old and new programmes. The television station is, without doubt, growing from strength to strength,” Kanyongo said.
This season, the station is not only introducing new programmes, but also rationalising and retaining popular ones from the previous season such as Amanxeba, Mawombera, Complicated Affairs, Isibaya, Bundu, Tete neMurora, Usendo, Patown, Sofelani, as well as the ever popular Tangled and hard-hitting Vantage programme.
“Drama and intrigue continues in Tangled. On the other hand, Amanxeba, whose ratings have also blown the roof away, is broadcasting twice a week on Mondays and Tuesdays at 8pm.
“Mawombera season two is back. A new drama called Sofelani also debuts this season and will run every Friday at 8pm,” Kanyongo said.
The insatiable appetite for comedy and sitcoms compelled 3Ktv to bring PaTown, Tete neMuroora and Tonight with Carl Joshua Ncube, over and above Complicated Affairs.
To complete the station’s diverse prime time viewing, a new series, Bundu, will broadcast every Tuesdays at 7pm, and a Ndebele series — Usendo — will be screened every Thursday at 7pm.
“The Book Club, The Diplomat Couch and People and Earth are some of the other new programmes to look forward to.
“Vantage remains anchored as a prime time hard talk programme every Thursday at 8.30pm, and a new talk show — My Vote — will be screened every Monday at 5.30pm,” she added.
Viewers are also in for other treats, thanks to exciting new Japanese dramas which include Kurama Tengu, a series which revolves around a royal family, and the Secret Life of a Secretary, a Korean series that follows a relationship between a secretary and the boss.
