DW’s distribution executives are in in Johannesburg, South Africa this week looking to find new ideas for Africa-oriented television programming. DW has been a trusted voice on the radio for decades in Africa and is now seeking to go deeper into the television market with programming tailored for African audiences. For the past year, DW’s flagship English channel has been available via DTH satellite in Africa.

DISCOP Africa was launched in 2008 and this year’s convention in Johannesburg, South Africa is expected to attract 2000 delegates from 70 countries. International content producers will gain insight and access into African markets and African based producers at the convention will have a platform to promote their content for international distribution.
DW has consistently been a valuable part of the African media landscape– bringing reliable news, entertainment and education to every corner of the continent. For 50 years DW has been broadcasting radio in Kiswahili and also provides news services in Hausa and Amharic. Educational radio programs like Learning by Ear shed light on social issues and help improve people’s lives. If you’re at the convention be sure to stop by and see everything DW has to offer in Africa.

Africa

DW has found a new partner for World Stories with the South Africa based project Africa Report. The Dutch NGO Media for Business Development Foundation (MBDF) started Africa Report in 2009. MBDF supports the development of the private sector in African countries and the TV program Africa Report inspires its viewers with the success stories from African businesses.

Europe

The leading Russian pay TV channel Tricolor TV is now including DW in its “Optimum” package. The new DW partner has more than 30 million cable subscribers and is the largest satellite TV provider in Russia. The British market research firm HIS Screen Digest states that Tricolor is the fastest growing DTH service in Europe and in the top three worldwide (along with Dish TV and Sun Direct).

Another partnership in Russia was added just last week during the Global Media Forum in Bonn. Chetvertyi kanal (Channel 4) will begin integrating the program “Europe in Concert” into its lineup.

America

The most important cable providers in Bolivia is now integrating two DW channels in its network. COTEL has picked up the Spanish and German language DW channels as part of its basic package and is thereby providing viewers in the capitol city of La Paz with DW programming around the clock.

Mobile

Following the launch of dw.de in February, DW has also relaunched its website for mobile users at m.dw.com. The site is optimized for mobile handsets and smartphones and is available in 30 languages.