FAST-GROWING independent national television station, 3Ktv, will begin its eagerly-anticipated eighth season tomorrow.
Speaking to the Daily News On Sunday at the weekend, 3Ktv’s Managing Director, Zweli Sibanda, said the new season would once again be packed with riveting programming.
Launched last year as the country’s first ever licensed private television station, the free-to-air 3Ktv — which can also be accessed on DStv’s Channel 293 — has grown in leaps and bounds over the past 21 months.
“I have no doubt whatsoever that our viewers will find 3Ktv’s eighth season to be even better than what they have seen and enjoyed so much so far. “Our viewers can look forward to brand new programmes that include a riveting drama series titled ‘Weakness’ — which tackles toxic relationships, blackmail, betrayal and scandal, as well as their effects on the family fabric.
“Another must-watch new programme is a wedding reality show titled ‘Wedding Bells’, which spotlights both traditional and white weddings. “Award-winning musician-cum-cleric, Stanley ‘Pastor G’ Gwanzura, will also make a debut on 3ktv as an inspirational talk show host.
“Over and above the many other new offerings debuting in this eighth season, 3Ktv will still flight all the usual favourite programmes that Zimbabweans have come to love,” Sibanda said.
He added that 3Ktv continued to exceed expectations on both its viewership and revenue growth projections. “While it is true that we were always convinced before we launched 3Ktv that the station would do well, nearly two years later it is exceeding even our most bullish expectations all around, which is absolutely wonderful — especially given the current challenging operating environment.
“At the centre of this gratifying performance is our unique programming which is anchored on offering the very best of local content. “It is in this light that our viewers and advertisers will not be disappointed by the engrossing programmes in our eighth season,” Sibanda told the Daily News On Sunday.
“It really is wonderful to see that Zimbabweans continue to follow and support 3Ktv. Indeed, the overwhelming majority of our millions of viewers say that they remain impressed by the variety and quality of our programming,” Sibanda also said.
3Ktv is wholly-owned and operated by Jester Media Services Group(JMS). Apart from the television station, JMS also owns some of the country’s biggest and most influential media brands that include the Daily News, the Daily News on Sunday, its printing division Printco, Jester Events, online business newsletter Business Live, and The Financial Gazette — the country’s number one business publication. “As JMS we have big ambitions.
The significant investment in 3Ktv signalled our plans to continue growing the group and to create Zimbabwe’s largest and most commercially sustainable media conglomerate in the next 10 years,” Sibanda enthused.
3Ktv — which was licensed in November 2020 after coming tops in a competitive and public bidding process — went on air amid palpable excitement on February 28 last year, 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.