Azam TV has launched its services in Zimbabwe, its seventh country, and is immediately partnering with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).
With monthly packages ranging from US$5 to US$15, the station seems to be significantly undercutting other pay television stations. Azam is already operating successfully in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Malawi as it invests heavily in its African operations.
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa commended Azam TV’s investment and packages for combining local, regional, and international content and expressed hope that the additional platforms would foster the development of local talent in content creation in the arts, sports, culture, and documentaries, and introduce these to a broader African audience.
Mr Kedarnathrao Bedare, Azam TV’s chief financial officer, said that packages included sports, movies, cartoons, documentaries, news, drama, and series, among others.
Minister Mutsvangwa was encouraged by the fact that Azam TV viewers will watch TV on the go thanks to the Azam Max mobile phone app.
“Not only does the presence of these platforms provide Azam TV viewers and listeners with good value for money, but it is also worth celebrating the achievement of universal access to information. Furthermore, the aforementioned directly contribute to the national development strategy’s (NDS1) digital economy theme.”
“My ministry is looking forward to your content providing great options for Zimbabweans. We urge ongoing engagements with local broadcasting firms to establish beneficial synergies that can transform the broadcasting sector into a multimillion-dollar industry while also contributing to economic growth, as Vision 2030 envisions,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa stated that an investment of this magnitude should result in downstream job prospects for Zimbabweans working in the sale and distribution of Azam TV products and services and the installation of TV equipment.
Minister Mutsvangwa stated that the government was committed to fostering a favourable investment climate in the media to promote business growth and benefit the economy and its people.
