The Sunday Mail
Prince Mushawevato
NATIONAL broadcaster, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), has a newfound fortune.
After letting go hundreds of workers a few weeks ago using a recent Supreme Court ruling, ZBC can now save up to US$400 000 a month, which translates to an average of US$4,8 million per year.
The staff rationalisation exercise at ZBC has eased pressure on the national broadcaster’s purse enabling it to begin a rebound. The new found millions have put ZBC in a position to acquire content from independent producers. The broadcaster had been failing to secure fresh material as producers demanded cash upfront for products.
Experts say that the amount will enable ZBC to procure content for the proposed six channels set to be opened when the broadcaster completes migration from analogue to digital broadcasting, after which the institution will become a multi-channel entity.
Responsible authorities at ZBC are currently meeting with various producers and finalising payment plans.
Content is one of the major components of the full digital migration that will see ZBC channels being accessible only through subscription. ZBC acting CEO Patrick Mavhura confirmed that the company’s financial position had changed for the better following the sacking of employees. He said the previous situation had resulted in the national broadcaster losing potential revenue to non-core business.
“A lot of potential revenue was being lost unnecessarily. But I can confirm that following the staff rationalisation programme, the national broadcaster can now save up to US$400 000 a month.
“A huge chunk of the money is going to be channeled towards content procurement while the difference will be used to guarantee that viewers get quality service,” said Mavhura.
ZBC has over the years been criticised for its poor programming. And programmes on its channel have been repeated countless times. Consequently, the average and well to do members of society have migrated to satellite television services. And this has created challenges for ZBC when collecting the mandatory licence fees.
Players in the broadcasting industry fear that the national broadcaster will not be able to effectively run the proposed six channels, four at Pockets Hill and two at Montrose Studios.
Ironically, ZBC recently shut down operations of Channel 2 in the capital.
However, Mavhura is upbeat about developments taking place. He argues that brighter days are in the horizon.
“We have held meetings with content producers in Matabeleland and other parts of the country. And we are currently breaking down all the agreements so that we finalise the deals,” he said.
He added: “In fact, the exercise was supposed to have been long completed but was disturbed by the staff rationalisation exercise. We have a plan that we are following and I’m certain that we are going to meet all our set targets. The future looks bright for our viewers.”
Before this development, Government had been left with the burden to finance content creation as the private sector lacks funding mechanisms.
“Government had committed to assist but in the meantime we are capitalising on the little that we can now raise. Funds from treasury should come to buttress projects that we will already be working on. It does not make sense to get funds from Government and use it to pay arrears,” explained Mavhura.
On the other hand, a veteran producer who declined to be named is singing from a different hymn. He literally rubbished the aforesaid claims.
“ZBC has not paid actors and producers for much of the content that they have already used. How then do they intend to buy new material when they have a debt overhang?” queried the producer.
“I think the broadcaster should produce a list of productions that they have paid for so that we believe them. If they indeed get money, new productions will definitely saturate their offices. Talent is in abundance in Zimbabwe but it has been stifled by lack of funding.”
The content from independent producers is expected to boost ZBC’s in-house generated content and that coming from regional and international suppliers.
Explained Mavhura: “Payment for approved content or concepts is, in fact, funding provided to the independent producer to finance the production of their concept into a drama, feature and documentaries.
“And the payment for concepts is dependent on the submitted budget, that is, where an independent producer submits their concept, the adjudication panel examines the concepts using the set criteria.
“Where the adjudication panel rules that the concept can be developed or made into a production they use the submitted budget to determine the funding required. This will determine what the producer will be paid. For finished content, normal conventional methods of purchase of such materials is used.”
ZBC is expected to introduce channels that focus on sport, news, music, children and one with full spectrum programming.
