South African TV reaches Sky UK
26 August 2004
South Africans living in the UK can now switch on to some homegrown television entertainment, ranging across news, sport, films, soaps, comedies, drama and documentaries - and complete with reruns of rugby matches and favourite old advertisements.
New South African Television, a digital television channel for South Africans and people with ties to SA living in the UK, started broadcasting on Sky Digital in August.
NSat aims to bring high-quality South African programmes directly to the UK viewer - along with coverage of local events in the UK - and at the same time to use the platform to promote SA arts, culture and business.
NSat has reportedly negotiated deals with the SABC, and been in discussion with Multichoice and some SA production companies, to supply programming - including live broadcasts of the news and programmes such as "Special Assignment".
NSat CEO Leroy van der Westhuizen said prospective viewers were asked to send
in requests for programme content. "Local productions, including 'Vyfster', 'Maak 'n Las', 'Sewende Laan', 'Orkney Snork Nie' and 'Spies & Plessis' were popular requests", Van der Westhuizen said. "Local sports were also in demand.
"We get a lot of requests for old Springbok rugby matches like the Cavalier tour [the rebel New Zealand rugby side that toured South Africa in 1986]. We are also doing a film shoot in Pretoria where all the old Springbok rugby greats are gathering. We will be making our own programme on that."
SA expats have even asked to see some old SA advertisements. "We have requested some old ads from Castle Lager, Vodacom and Nando's", Van der Westhuizen said.
The channel's owners estimate that there are 1.4 million South Africans living in the United Kingdom, and over 200 000 South African subscribers to Sky.
The service will be free to air for Sky satellite channel subscribers for the first six months, after which it will cost £10 a
month.
NSat's online forum allows viewers to request or comment on programmes. "This is a channel for expats by expats, and we only want to show what you want to see", says Van der Westhuizen.
"As time goes by, we are also looking to expand this service to Australians, New Zealanders and Canadians, and provide tailor-made content accordingly."
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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