A few months ago, Ngwato Nkosi Group announced the addition of a third TV channel to sit alongside Newzroom Afrika and Movie Room, Play Room. It will offer a world of fun and imagination featuring a mixture of animation and live-action part of which will be in local languages.
Since news about the potential DStv and possible GOtv channel surfaced, consumers had wondered and asked MultiChoice on numerous occasions on whether this channel will be accessible to low tiered bouquets like Easyview or Access or mid tier bouquets like Compact.
Through an enquiry, MultiChoice have three different responses about the channel's future on DStv. Initially, it was stated through their platforms it would be added to Premium consumers so we basically saw no truth to that matter.
Considering what shows were already unveiled for the channel such as CoComelon and Paw Patrol content which can be viewed on Moonbug and Nickelodeon would irritate this type of consumers. Our hunch was that it would be bundled on Family or Access.
In a recent update through their numerous handles, PR issued out two different responses about the fate of Play Room. One mentions that the channel will be available only to Access consumers while the other regards it as a Compact channel but if we had to be frank this could a hiccup.
If we had to dive further into content, the channel would include a local tween show Play Room Live which is the only confirmed original for the channel and MultiChoice and Ngwato Nkosi Group might not want to exclude such a show from their mid tier bouquets.
My estimated guess for Play Room is that similar to Movie Room and Newzroom Afrika it will cater toward Access consumers while as being seen on the Family, Compact, Compact+ and Premium bouquets. Various ads for the brand has been running across several channels.
Update: Play Room will be available to all DStv customers excluding Easyview.
A whole new world of learning and fun opens up for kids on November 6 when Play Room, launches on DStv Premium, Compact+, Compact, Family and Access consumers on channel 300.
The channel combines education and entertainment, with original local shows as well as international shows, dubbed in Zulu.
Thabile Ngwato, CEO of the Ngwato Nkosi Group, which owns the channel, said they have dubbed the content to make it easier for children to learn their home languages.
“The languages used will be conversational and accessible, with language switching taking place as we do in everyday speech.
“Watching titles such as ‘Cocomelon’ and ‘Akili and Me’ in isiZulu empowers children to explore the world and their feelings in their own language.
“For the pre-teen kid, our content reaffirms that the way they express themselves and experience the world is also valid.
“Our content will give kids the tools they need to create the world they want to live in. Because at the end of the day, the world is their ‘Play Room’,” said Ngwato.
She added that while other kids channels were either explorative or about learning, Play Room would have both dimensions, with the added local flavour.
Georginah Machiridza, executive head of General Entertainment at MultiChoice Group, said the launch of the channel is an enhancement of what they believe parents and children will have a strong affinity to.
“We are constantly looking to give our customers the best entertainment and by increasing our content offering we’re providing more viewing options to them.
“From a local content perspective, we’re excited to expand on local representation in the form of content being dubbed in local languages.
“We will also have a fresh ‘Play Room Live’ offering every Monday to Friday from 3pm to 4pm which will see us bring back a tried and trusted format that audiences love.”
Morning programming will focus on educational material for 4- to 6-year-old children, including interactive shows that encourage physical movement, as well as values-based and creative content designed to stretch children’s imaginations.
Afternoons will feature live action and a local live show with high entertainment value for tweens.
Titles such as “Paw Patrol” and “Game Shakers” and new home-grown shows, to well-loved learning programmes will make their way onto the new channel.
Meanwhile, the afternoon live show will combine the world of television with social media to create an interactive, always-on world of fun and entertainment for teens and tweens.
“A multilingual approach will be adopted across the channel, championing the diversity of our country. There will also be sign language representation on the show, ensuring inclusivity across the board.
“The new channel would build on the success of the Ngwato Nkosi Group’s existing channels, Newzroom Afrika and Movie Room, to provide a home of learning and fun for local youngsters,” Ngwato said.
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