There is a high demand for quality media in Africa but in many places network infrastructure cannot keep up. A positive aspect of this technological disparity is that it promotes the development of alternative services, which provide access to media by getting around network deficiencies. Launched in January 2012, Tuluntulu (which means stream in Zulu) opens the floodgates to a reservoir of uninterrupted television streams on mobile devices– even in locations with low-bandwidth networks.

Now DW’s flagship English channel will be included Tuluntulu catalogue. This new partnership will bring world-class programming and information to a hard-to-reach audience. With partners on board like DW, no one has to miss out on quality content because of technological deficiencies.

Tuluntulu works by using Adaptive Real-time Internet Streaming Technology (ARTIST), which allows content to stream at low data consumption levels. The service was developed specifically as a platform for the technology. The company claims that ARTIST technology can provide unbroken streaming video at the low broadband speed of 30kbps adding that no other service can provide video under 100 kbps. With its wide-selection of networks, Tuluntulu is truly a breakthrough for mobile media in Africa. The service is free to download right now for iOS or Android devices.

This is only the beginning of developing these technologies and DW is an integtral part of what makes them so important in providing information to those who need it in a place they couldn’t find it before.

DW has secured distribution of several lifestyle and culture programs on four leading Chinese video portals – including  v.huanqiu.com, youku.com, tudou.com and ku6.com. These new partners place great importance on offering high quality, interesting, relevant, international programming to their audiences and reach approximately one million viewers throughout China.  “Networks in China are clearly gearing to meet their viewers’ demand for information, insights and true-life glimpses of how the other half lives,” says Petra Schneider, DW’s Director of Distribution.  “Their choice for DW’s specialized content – all things European – indicates their confidence that our content will satisfy this demand.”

Among the titles that have been chosen are the Chinese editions of Global Ideas and Future Now.  Global Ideas showcases people whose innovative ideas are helping combat global warming – from Thailand to Honduras, Jordan, India and Laos. A multinational team of authors, researchers, TV and online reporters works on a multimedia presentation of the projects. The result is www.ideasforacoolerworld.org, an online platform that offers video content as well as background information on the topics.  Future Now presents 20 visionary scientific projects on the key fields of communication, the environment, mobility and health.  Other titles in English include everything from science to travel. Discover Germany offers a comprehensive travel guide to destinations across Europe.

Ask people what German bands they’ve heard of, and they’re likely to say Rammstein or Kraftwerk. But Germany’s pop landscape is diverse with a lot to discover. With German Pop, DW has developed a series of podcasts with concerts and portraits covering the spectrum of German pop music. You can subscribe to the podcasts using iTunes or get a quick overview here.

And if seeing is believing, check out popXport or Arts.21 – both of which offer insights into the German music scene.

What does he see as the biggest challenge in selling archive/news clips into Asia?

“Two challenges: presentation and content. Asian consumers like to watch online clips that are relevant to them and in their language. DW has started providing local language versions (e.g. Mandarin, Bahasa Indonesia) to address this audience need in selected territories. The key challenge remains in the cost of localizing our content.”

Check out the full “Short & Sweet” interview.