M-NET, PANA TV in deal to stream content online
M-Net – the multi-channel Pan-African content provider based on a deal licensed some weeks ago, is operating over 1,000 hours of content on the PanaTV.com, one of the leading online TV services platform.
PANA TV in a press statement, says it has picked up a variety of content from M-Net’s diverse portfolio across drama, documentaries, lifestyle and kids’ programming as well as a selection of short films. It has also acquired a vast array of popular Nollywood films – formally known as the Nigerian video feature film industry – which is Africa’s largest movie industry in terms of the number of movies produced per year.
Mandy Roger, head of sales, acquisition and business development, M-Net says in the statement: “At M-Net we look to work with forward-thinking partners who reflect our ethos in promoting African content to new audiences, and PANA TV is a prime example of this. It is a company that is at the forefront of the online content industry and has grown into one of the fastest growing internet platforms. In making this content digitally accessible we are able to reach international audiences – showcasing the quality of African TV and film production to the global audience and challenging preconceptions. We look forward to building on our relationship with PANA TV to grow African content’s global footprint in the digital space.”
Daniel Ogbonna, founder, PANA TV adds: “The partnership with M-Net, one of the largest television networks in Africa, gives us a broader content base that helps us in showcasing the talent in Africa. This is indeed, a fantastic partnership as we unpack the African story to the world.”
M-Net, in October 1986 launched the first terrestrial pay-television channel in South Africa. M-Net has evolved from its analogue broadcast beginnings into a multi-channel Pan-African content-provider, delivering top programming on a variety of platforms.
In recent years, M-Net has embraced new technology and has continued to be a pioneer in content development for new platforms. With the 2006 launch of DStv mobile – a digital video broadcast of live TV channels to enabled mobile phones and M-Mobile, which provides 3G content on-demand to mobile phones, M-Net and its channels started to venture down new broadcast avenues.
The M-Net Content Sales Department, a division of M-Net Group Content Services – monetises all M-Net-owned content through global sales and marketing. It promotes and sells M-Net’s library of content across television, DVD retail and rental, film festival circuit, In-Flight entertainment, hotel pay-per view networks and broadband internet delivery mechanisms.
Format sales are a new area of M-Net’s sales activity. The division is sourcing sales partnerships and new opportunities to present and sell its fast-growing slate of new M-Net owned formats to the international marketplace.
PANA TV is an internet television service that legally streams Africa inspired films, music, news and lifestyle videos worldwide. Launched in April 2012, PanaTV.com has more than 101,000 fans on Facebook with a reach of more than 25 million people. PanaTV.com is one of fastest growing internet platforms with a wide range of genres of Africa-inspired content in one location. The company has offices in United States and Africa with expansions planned for Europe later this year.
Stories by OLUYINKA ALAWODE