According to a report by Spring TV News, they have entered into a partnership the Mingletainment App. Both companies are early stage ventures which are looking to capture the online entertainment market . In this article I will briefly describe the what is known about both companies and how this partnership may be beneficial to the start ups.
(Picture: Spring Tv CEO, COO and News Anchor at the partnership launch event)
Mingletainment
Mingletainment is a unique social networking application that broadcasts radio and video channels as part of a wide range of features. Currently, established broadcasters like Hot FM and Diamond TV have found the platform as a way to engage a new audience. Currently the application has more than 50,000 downloads on the app store and their market presence is growing steadily.
Spring TV
Spring TV is an ambitious online news channel founded by CEO Alex Chaka earlier this year. The company recently received the award for best Business Television Media for 2020 from the economic association of Zambia. They are aiming to build a pan-african online news network and already provide the first 24 hour news channel in the country. They currently have more than 50,000 followers on their social media pages where they broadcast the majority of their news. The partnership will create more exposure as they will be able to broadcast their news coverage and their weekly show segments to the apps users. So far there have been positive reactions, particular towards the popular 6.30 am morning show the ‘Kawalala Party’.
Online Media Market
More companies have started to look online due to the lower costs of distribution to the consumers. Currently 14% of the country streams when online due to data restrictions but there is an increasing shift away from broadcast television as consumers become more modern. Recently DSTV South Africa signed a deal with Netflix to provide their consumers access to the platform’s content. This comes as more Africans are choosing Netflix subscriptions (as the more affordable option) and the tech giant has started spending more on generating local African talent. Their rival Disney recently partnered with the Ugandan Entertainment company Kugali in a first of its kind deal with an African studio. This hopefully shows more potential promise in the future of African creators.