DStv Indian launches Saffron TV
28 Aug 2008
From 1 September 2008, Saffron TV - a lifestyle and entertainment channel filled with a mix of local and international shows - will begin broadcasting on the DStv Indian platform on channel 456. The launch took place last night, Wednesday, 27 August 2008, in Parktown, Johannesburg.
Sorisha Naidoo
Saffron TV is a partnership between MultiChoice and Avusa Media and will be produced by the award-winning company Ochre Moving Pictures (OMP). The channel will offer shows covering food, style and beauty, health, Bollywood news and reviews, celebrities and showbiz gossip, community news and many more.
Channel presenters include well-known media personalities Sorisha Naidoo, Strini Pillay and small screen newcomers Leticia Singh and Shalandra Bunseelal.
The 20-hour broadcast will run from 6am to 2am the following day, with the daily premiere block from 6pm until 10pm Monday to Friday, and on weekends from 1pm to 6pm.
A visibly elated Aletta Alberts, MultiChoice's head of content, said that the rich cultural heritage of the Indian community is epitomised in the new channel, adding that the launch of such a strategic channel will further compliment both the DStv North and South Indian bouquet.
Stan Joseph, director of Ochre Media, told the audience: “This is an exciting project that showcases our strengths as a creative company, and the benefits we can leverage by being part of a major local group like Avusa.
“With key brands like Sunday Times Extra and Nu Metro Bollywood that serve the Indian market, the creation of a TV platform was a natural extension of Avusa's strategy to offer the premier media brands for the SA Indian market.
“The launch of Saffron TV is in response to global trends of fragmenting media markets and the importance of owning niches.”
Ochre's programme credits include ‘Zola 7', ‘Takalani Sesame', ‘Soul City', ‘The Wedding Show' (all SABC) and ‘Scandal' (e.tv), and many more.
Here are the seven exciting local series viewers can look forward to: ‘Star Attraction' (Saturdays at 1pm), ‘So Fabulous' (Saturdays at 2pm), ‘Saffron Guys' (Saturdays at 3pm), ‘Your Good Health' (Thursdays at 8.30pm), ‘Saffron Extra' (Sundays at 1pm), ‘The Singing Chef' (Saturdays at 2pm) and ‘Saffron Talk' (Sundays at 3pm).
For more information on the channel, go to www.saffrontv.co.za .
About Issa Sikiti da Silva
Issa Sikiti da Silva is a winner of the 2010 SADC Media Awards (print category). He freelances for various media outlets, local and foreign, and has travelled extensively across Africa. His work has been published both in French and English. He used to contribute to Bizcommunity.com as a senior news writer.
