Digital broadcasting to encourage niche television in Uganda

Martin Abuya, the chief operations officer, Next Generation Broadcasting (NGB) in an interview said, Uganda's broadcasters who are currently operating free-to-air television stations will be able to invest in niche channels with specialised content for specific groups. “If broadcasters have different niche channels, they will make more money from a variety of consumers because their interests vary,” Abuya said.

He added that in countries like Kenya where the migration process has been launched; Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) has already unveiled KBC Gold, a pay-tv station that like KBC Gold specialises in broadcasting historical events and old soaps.

Next Generation Broadcasting is a Swedish company that has set up shop in Kampala to guide Uganda in the migration process slated for 2012.

In addition to creating niche channels, Abuya said, the cost of entry into the market by new stations will be reduced yet coverage widened across the country. “There will be no need to set up masts in all districts or regions to reach your viewers,” he said.