Ashley Moyo
SENIOR STAFF WRITER
LEADING national independent commercial television station, 3Ktv, will launch its much-anticipated 19th season today.
Themed “Shades of Summer”, the pioneering channel’s latest programming chapter once again presents a curated and compelling blend of fresh homegrown storytelling and premium international drama.
The new schedule will present local dramas that include Nhaka, Pahukama, and Gringo Reloaded — which stars Comic Elder, Frets, Tha Slick Pastor, and Allen Skits.
Viewers can also look forward to Beyond Boundaries, a talk show that wonderfully explores the lives of regular folks, alongside the new and riveting dating reality show, 2 Minutes to Love.
3Ktv’s head of programming, Lucia Kanyongo, said at the weekend that the new season was curated to bridge local perspectives with international scope.
“It offers a perfect balance of cultural resonance and world class entertainment.
“Our viewers should brace for a most enjoyable mix of intimate local grit and global hits for all age groups. “We are bringing exciting new shows alongside the return of many audience favourites,” Kanyongo added.
Among the returning audience favourites are popular crime drama series Bundu, the Korean hit Welcome to Life, and Tinashe Mugabe’s The Closure DNA, as well as the much-followed and award-winning current affairs programme, Vantage.
Among the new offerings include the highly anticipated South Korean production, 7 Days Romance. Zweli Sibanda, the Managing Director of Jester Media Services Group’s (JMS) Broadcasting Division, said 3Ktv was continuing to achieve notable success by combining popular local programming, strategic distribution partnerships, and its position as a credible and worthy independent broadcaster in the country.
“In this regard, 3Ktv is firmly remaining true to its identity as the local silver screen custodian of ‘The Best of Zimbabwe’.
“Indeed, we are continuing to invest in the very best of local productions by strengthening our relationships with the best Zimbabwean content creators. We have been setting the pace in the local TV industry for the past four years of our remarkable short existence, and we are determined to continue this amazing momentum. We are also very grateful for the close collaboration that we enjoy with our valued global partners, including the Chinese and South Korean embassies which continue to support us with high-quality drama series and other exciting programmes,” Sibanda added.
Licensed in November 2020, following a competitive public bidding process, 3Ktv subsequently launched in February 2022 as Zimbabwe’s first private commercial television station since TV was introduced in the country in 1960.
Its parent company, JMS, also owns some of Zimbabwe’s biggest media brands that include the Daily News, the country’s most influential newspaper, as well as its printing division Printco, Jester Events, Radio 3000, online business newsletter Business Live, and The Financial Gazette — the nation’s number one business publication.