Nickelodeon to Launch in Southern Africa

JOHANNESBURG, June 17: MTV
Networks International has inked a multi-year distribution deal to launch
Nickelodeon as a 24-hour English-language channel in Southern Africa, available
through MultiChoice’s DStv platform beginning July 1.

The channel will be
available to subscribers in Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia,
South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Targeted at kids aged 2 to 14,
the channel will feature a mix of animation and live-action programming, with
titles including Dora the Explorer,
SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar:
The Legend of Aang, Unfabulous and Drake & Josh.

Alex Okosi, the senior VP and managing director of MTV Networks
Africa, commented, “Nickelodeon is one of the world’s
most influential and appealing kids’ brands. We are thrilled to partner with
MultiChoice to bring Nickelodeon’s award-winning programming on a 24-hour basis
into Southern Africa.”

Nolo Letele, the CEO of MultiChoice South Africa Group, added, “We
are pleased to launch the globally successful Nickelodeon kids’ entertainment
channel onto our DStv platform. The channel will complement and strengthen our
current youth offering, whilst simultaneously providing more choice. Kids are
in for a treat with the array of exciting content featuring their favorite
characters and programs.”

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski