Why Did Zee World Opt To Separate Its Operations Within Africa?

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Zee World is a Indian based entertainment channel operated by Zee Entertainment Enterprises that distributes various films and series in English. The channel imports all its content from Zee TV and following its successful launch in Africa by 2015 have contributed to the creations of Zee Alem (Ethiopia), Zee Zonke (Southern Africa), Zee Bollymovies and Zee One.

As some readers have already seen, Zee World has decided to separate it's operations in parts of Africa with the rollout of Zee World SA and Zee World Africa. This is nothing like TLC varied feeds but more like that of Zee One where Zee Entertainment Enterprises gives both feeds a chance to offer first run content which has even led to a bit of rivalry amongst the feeds.

For instance, Zee World SA follows fellow competitor Star Life and began rolling out their series in half hour timeslots while Zee World Africa was still open to offering these shows in a longer format. Even more baffling was that Zee World Africa had a movie block while Zee World SA didn't so the only way consumers in SA can watch movies is through DStv Indian.

But one question that's been striking everyone's mind was the reason behind the sudden division amongst Africa. There are times where certain scenes would be deemed inappropriate for consumers with certain cultures and norms, it was the contributing factor to the inclusion of Nickelodeon SA and Nickelodeon Africa.

Those viewing Zee World including myself haven't seen anything that would be deemed insensitive to certain viewers as Zee World is culturally diverse and educational in some capacity so if I had to guess where the division originated it may have to do with Dance Naija Dance.

In recent years, Zee World has been investing locally with the inclusion of Zee Zonke and Zee Alem both of which have been culturally diverse in their own rights. Zee World has even been a distributor of various short films from MultiChoice's Talent Factory which could as well have been folded under Mzansi Magic and Africa Magic.

In terms of the division, they probably took a page of MultiChoice's playbook as they had been known to restrict certain content from consumers in certain parts of Africa. This is due to content from Africa Magic getting more exposure from their respective markets as consumers are familiar with the offering as opposed to acquiring it for South Africa where it may not garner traction.