27 Aug 2023

As part of its commitment to increasing local content, Multichoice Botswana on Thursday launched Ytv to their DStv channels.

Ytv, which will be available on channel 291, joins other local channels such as Btv News, Btv 1, Gabz FM, Duma FM and Yarona FM. 

Formerly known as GBC and later eBotswana, Ytv has strived to increase their local content from under five per cent to 40 per cent currently. 

With the newly introduced The Sekatis in addition to some of the shows such as Youth Plug with Tsabo, the launch of Ytv will aim to increase local content even to great numbers.

“Getting into DStv needs us to create more content and for us to succeed we will need to unearth talent from Botswana for such content,” said director of YMH Holdings, Dumi Lopang.

He said they were working at achieving 100 per cent local content in five years, and that they were committed and intentional to play the same role they played to nurture and empower the creatives within radio to the creatives in television production.

Meanwhile, Multichoice Botswana managing director, Stephanie Pillay said they had been intentional about how they want local content to be packaged to change the narrative. 

Starting with programmes such as My Botswana Plate and BotsTop5, Pillay emphasised the importance of offering content that resonated with the local audience and contribute to their entertainment experience. 

She also noted that at Multichoice Botswana, they were intentional on strengthening relations with government. 

“It is important that Botswana DStv viewers watch local content on their screens and we are excited to have Ytv on board,” Pillay said.

For his part, DStv regional manager, Joe Hesho said as part of their hyper-local focus and commitment towards bringing the best in local content, they took deliberate steps to curate content that went to most granular viewership. 

Hesho said to grow the economy they should come with content that was marketable.

He said Botswana content was hard to market as it competed with the already established audience masses of South Africa, Zimbabwe and others. 

“As Botswana, you need to have content which can sell everywhere and stand up to competitors that come from the region,” Hesho stated, adding that an authentic Botswana story was what was needed. “A story that addresses local issues and challenges as well as celebrates the talent that comes from here,”he said. ends