Newly relaunched local television station, YTV, wants to tell Batswana stories and showcase their creative spirit. Previously known as E-Botswana, the 24/7 TV station recently underwent a major revamp so that Batswana may generate and consume their own content.
With a staff complement of five and six freelancers, YTV has already created much-needed employment for the local youth and is offering a platform for Batswana to showcase their potential and talent towards the station competing on a global scale.
Permitting the youth to take the reins on content generation, script writing, voicing, airing and other key elements of the production process has been YTVโs key initiative.
The ambitious TV station wants to be listed among entertainment giants, with hopes of Batswana and their businesses being the driving force behind its success. It therefore beckons local artists, producers, artists, singers, actresses, actors and students to share their proposals with them.
โApproximately 20 percent of Batswana have taken to social media and YouTube to share their videos, motivational messages, songs and performances,โ said YTVโs General Manager, Rykie Wade. โThey now have a platform that can harness their talents and offer them huge opportunities through the traditional TV platform, which is accessible to everyone with electricity in their country.โ
The station has partnered with the UPIC TV platform, a homegrown subscription-based streaming service which enables the viewer to watch English Premier League matches live, as well as family and current affairs programmes and much more on the streaming application.
โLocal content makes up 34 percent of the overall programme content. This demonstrates the capability, dedication and willingness of Batswana,โ said YTVโs General Manager, Rykie Wade.
YTV is a free-to-air commercial television station available on a free-to-air decoder or set-top box and the Zebra decoder. It is also available on the UPIC streaming platform for the viewerโs convenience.
