First of all - I would like to put this disclaimer forward: I am writing this post not as an NBC employee, but as a Namibian and an NBC audience. I hope there is no conflict of interest here, but I also do realize that because I am an NBC employee, my right as a consumer to air my view on the exciting digital tranformation in my country seems to have been cancelled by the fact that I work at the NBC. But, this time, I could really not contain my multi-media transformation excitement, and please forgive me for this. Therefore, the views expressed in this post are not that of the NBC but of the post author herself.
It's called the "multi-media fever" and "The Great Namibian Digitalization Revolution". If it has not gripped you yet, then you are not in the Land of the Brave or you just don't watch the NBC TV or listen to its radio services to be specific.
I guess all of us in Namibia are obviously aware of the "Buzz word" Multi-media or Digitalization that has been doing the rounds say since 2013 when the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation, NBC officially "switched" on from analogue to digital.
Many of you I guess have heard about what is called the "Set Top Boxes", which basically mean some decomders that each TV Set Holder must have as part of the country's covertion from using the analogue broadcasting facilities to digital equipment which result in ample opportunities such as - having multiple TV channels, all your radio channels accessable on the same decoder, a crystal clear TV picture quality and stereo sound when it comes to radio.
The broadcasting transformation is here to stay - and its impact is already being felt across the Namibian Nation. "It's Ours" is on the historic journey and is busy re-writing its story, that no one can deny.
After 24 years of only broadcasting via one TV Channel, the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation, NBC (established by an Act of Parliament, Act 9: NBC Act of 1991) the National Broadcaster is now boasting three TV channels. Yes, it is true that the International Telecommunication, ITU in 2006 gave a directive for all African countries to convert their broadcasting facilities from what is called analogue to digital. And that such broadcasters must have adhered to instruction in 9 years time, which is by next June 2015. Nine years might have sounded a long period for African broadcasters to do as per the ITU directive, but as those in the know would share their experience, most public or State broadcaster limp when it coms to funding and own revenue generation. Their shareholders too do not have free money to dish out and must only do so based on thoroughly planned and budgetted for projects.
So far, many SADC countries are still to honour the ITU directive and so far, countries that have made a move include Mauritius and Tanzania - and Namibia others are in still in the process of adding their full names on that list.....South Africa is slowly but surely also in this category. This process is "no walk in the park" though. It demands, finances, skills, and dedication - with an eye for the right broadcasting infrastructure and technocrats that can assembly the equipment correctly and during the prescribed time. It demands proper marketing strategies for consumer awareness aspects - to ensure that the users know why this change is necessary and how to fit it as well as where to access the decoders that willl make them part of the transformation agenda. And the NBC has thus far done a lot to ensure that the various processes have been followed. Of course this transformation will not be without mistakes and challenges - it's a learning process - it's an "aha and wow experience" and most of us including the author of this post are for the first time learning how to broadcasting using some of the new facilities.
That is why I am saying - the NBC - after 24 years is now boasting a variety of programme offering platforms on its TV.. which many viewers have craved for but had no choice due to amongst others a former single TV channel. For now, audiences will nonw be able to have a choice - when it comes to their favourite TV shows. The decoders have recording faciltiies meaning they will no longer miss their favourite programmes. This development is a great revolution for especially the majority of Namibians, those who had no funds to purchase DSTV Decoders and maintain the monthly fee payment. Unlike other channels that are paid for monthly, the NBC decoder once acquired - means the owner will not pay a monthly feed, it is a once off payment. It is also affordable, N$199.00 for a Set Top Box for any other users and N$60.00 for pensioners, Veterans as in all those classified in this category etc. SADC countries made a deliberate attempt to have their residents have access to these decoders at an affordable price and not to have them negatively impacted by the digitalization revolution. This information transformation age is infact suppose to give all audiences opportunities when it comes to information - via various multi-media platforms - TV - Radio- Print - Web and Mobile. The NBC has already embraced all these platforms.
In addition to the three TV Channels, the NBC is boasting online platforms such as twitter, facebook, U-tube where many of its programmes are accessible, Skype, mobile when it somes to its radio headlines and off late instagram. It has also started to stream some of its key entertainment shows, with the 2014 Namibia Musica Awards, NAMA having pioneered that platform. The various radio stations are indeed accessible via streaming - it's been e-radio all the way at the NBC. Infact the NBC has lined up more TV Channels, and the current three are but the first steps towards offering a choice to its audiences - in the long run, it's going to be an explosion of content bouquents. And that is why you as an audience have to gear up for this package - which will not only offer you TV content but Radio shows too - from one "Set Top Box Platform".
Digitalization in Namibia is a fact which cannot be ignored -- and that is why those experiencing and being part of it must tell this inspiring story - that of development in the ICT sector of a growing nation.
Disclaimer : The views expressed in this post are not that of the NBC but of the post author.
It's called the "multi-media fever" and "The Great Namibian Digitalization Revolution". If it has not gripped you yet, then you are not in the Land of the Brave or you just don't watch the NBC TV or listen to its radio services to be specific.
I guess all of us in Namibia are obviously aware of the "Buzz word" Multi-media or Digitalization that has been doing the rounds say since 2013 when the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation, NBC officially "switched" on from analogue to digital.
Many of you I guess have heard about what is called the "Set Top Boxes", which basically mean some decomders that each TV Set Holder must have as part of the country's covertion from using the analogue broadcasting facilities to digital equipment which result in ample opportunities such as - having multiple TV channels, all your radio channels accessable on the same decoder, a crystal clear TV picture quality and stereo sound when it comes to radio.
After 24 years of only broadcasting via one TV Channel, the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation, NBC (established by an Act of Parliament, Act 9: NBC Act of 1991) the National Broadcaster is now boasting three TV channels. Yes, it is true that the International Telecommunication, ITU in 2006 gave a directive for all African countries to convert their broadcasting facilities from what is called analogue to digital. And that such broadcasters must have adhered to instruction in 9 years time, which is by next June 2015. Nine years might have sounded a long period for African broadcasters to do as per the ITU directive, but as those in the know would share their experience, most public or State broadcaster limp when it coms to funding and own revenue generation. Their shareholders too do not have free money to dish out and must only do so based on thoroughly planned and budgetted for projects.
So far, many SADC countries are still to honour the ITU directive and so far, countries that have made a move include Mauritius and Tanzania - and Namibia others are in still in the process of adding their full names on that list.....South Africa is slowly but surely also in this category. This process is "no walk in the park" though. It demands, finances, skills, and dedication - with an eye for the right broadcasting infrastructure and technocrats that can assembly the equipment correctly and during the prescribed time. It demands proper marketing strategies for consumer awareness aspects - to ensure that the users know why this change is necessary and how to fit it as well as where to access the decoders that willl make them part of the transformation agenda. And the NBC has thus far done a lot to ensure that the various processes have been followed. Of course this transformation will not be without mistakes and challenges - it's a learning process - it's an "aha and wow experience" and most of us including the author of this post are for the first time learning how to broadcasting using some of the new facilities.
That is why I am saying - the NBC - after 24 years is now boasting a variety of programme offering platforms on its TV.. which many viewers have craved for but had no choice due to amongst others a former single TV channel. For now, audiences will nonw be able to have a choice - when it comes to their favourite TV shows. The decoders have recording faciltiies meaning they will no longer miss their favourite programmes. This development is a great revolution for especially the majority of Namibians, those who had no funds to purchase DSTV Decoders and maintain the monthly fee payment. Unlike other channels that are paid for monthly, the NBC decoder once acquired - means the owner will not pay a monthly feed, it is a once off payment. It is also affordable, N$199.00 for a Set Top Box for any other users and N$60.00 for pensioners, Veterans as in all those classified in this category etc. SADC countries made a deliberate attempt to have their residents have access to these decoders at an affordable price and not to have them negatively impacted by the digitalization revolution. This information transformation age is infact suppose to give all audiences opportunities when it comes to information - via various multi-media platforms - TV - Radio- Print - Web and Mobile. The NBC has already embraced all these platforms.
In addition to the three TV Channels, the NBC is boasting online platforms such as twitter, facebook, U-tube where many of its programmes are accessible, Skype, mobile when it somes to its radio headlines and off late instagram. It has also started to stream some of its key entertainment shows, with the 2014 Namibia Musica Awards, NAMA having pioneered that platform. The various radio stations are indeed accessible via streaming - it's been e-radio all the way at the NBC. Infact the NBC has lined up more TV Channels, and the current three are but the first steps towards offering a choice to its audiences - in the long run, it's going to be an explosion of content bouquents. And that is why you as an audience have to gear up for this package - which will not only offer you TV content but Radio shows too - from one "Set Top Box Platform".
Digitalization in Namibia is a fact which cannot be ignored -- and that is why those experiencing and being part of it must tell this inspiring story - that of development in the ICT sector of a growing nation.
Disclaimer : The views expressed in this post are not that of the NBC but of the post author.
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