Multichoice Tops Kuza Awards Winners With 5 Prizes

Multichoice invested another Ksh3.3billion in local content production, acquisition and commission within the same period, with another Ksh120million spent on the local football league via SuperSport.

Multichoice Kenya was also crowned the overall winner of the Subscription Broadcasting Services Award under the local content category, beating Startimes and Viusasa. “This win is particularly critical coming at a time when we are celebrating Kenya’s stars and top Kenyan shows brought to life by Maisha Magic East as well as Maisha Magic Plus,” said MultiChoice Kenya Managing Director Nancy Matimu.

This year’s Kuza Awards came on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic that disrupted most businesses, forcing many to innovate and adapt to maintain operations and market shares.

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“This event is taking place amidst the COVID-19 pandemic that has not only had serious impact on the sector but also brought to the fore the fundamental role of ICTs,” said CA Acting Director-General Mercy Wanjau while unveiling the winners.

“Research has established that 95% of the Kenyan population has a high awareness about the pandemic largely through information disseminated through radio and TV,” she said.

Multichoice dominated the People’s Choice Category, beating Startimes and Citizen TV’s Viusasa video-on-demand subsidiary. Multichoice Kenya’s GOtv also won the inaugural overall People’s Choice Award for Favourite Pay TV service with DStv emerging first runners up. The People’s Choice Awards is a new category introduced to give audiences a voice in the awards by voting for their favourite broadcasters.

This year’s Kuza Awards came on the back of the COVID-19 that disrupted most businesses.

ICT Permanent Secretary Esther Koimett called for innovation among service providers to remain relevant as a vehicle for information and entertainment. “I urge broadcasters to embrace innovation to remain competitive and relevant in today’s dynamic broadcasting environment,” she said.

Mrs. Wanjau indicated that starting July this year, the Authority will only issue compliance certificate to broadcasters who meet all the licence conditions and other regulatory requirements.

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‘‘One of the key elements that we shall be evaluating for eligibility for annual compliance certificate is compliance with copyright obligations in accordance with their license conditions,’’ She said.

She challenged the media to utilize their platforms to shape positive perceptions in how the Kenyan narrative is portrayed and to leverage on the combined synergies of the industry and audiences towards the growth of a vibrant competitive and resilient broadcasting industry in Kenya.