Broadcasting
Daar Communications Ready for Digitisation –Dokpesi
Aleogho Dokpesi, chairman, Daar Communications PLC, owners of Raypower FM and Africa Independent Television, has said that they are ready to launch their pay TV platform and fully digitise their operations.
Speaking to pressmen at the Abuja head office, he said that the successful listing of Daar Communications on the Nigerian Stock Exchange was part of the developmental plan which the organization is currently witnessing.
"We will be coming up with multi-channels pay-TV platform which will run its transmissions from Abuja and there will be full digitisation of all our stations across the country" he said.
He echoed that digital broadcasting is the way to go as that would enable people watch television on their mobile phones and computers and that they are prepared for that in terms of equipment and facilities.
Dokpesi disclosed that they plan to build a film village in Lagos in order to boost their capability for handling independent productions for the home television station as well as other TV stations so that local productions can be equivalent to those of other countries of the world.
He expressed their determination to return broadcasting in Nigeria to its past glory through the enhancement of local content as it shall mark its 50th anniversary in Nigeria come next year.
Dokpesi further explained that for the multi-channel, they are looking to commence test transmissions in August; while full time transmissions begin in September and they have put everything in place to enable them do this. Set-up boxes will be provided for subscribers to enable them receive signals when transmissions start.
"We are beginning with 40 channels. This is the very first time in Africa that you will see this level of transmission. Viewers will witness broadcasting at a new level – transmission on a high definition" said he.
He also disclosed that they are getting more hands both locally and internationally and are embarking on a massive training exercise to get staff acquainted with new technologies.
On the increase in the number of their channels, Dokpesi informed that they are moving from the present eight stations to twenty-four, implying that sixteen new stations are in the offing and that AIT news will be a 24-hour news channel with correspondents in Egypt, South Africa, Senegal, Kenya, the UK and the U.S.A.
He further disclosed that Abuja station has been fully digitised while the Lagos station is still about 60% digital but is being upgraded to meet the demands of changing trends.
Dokpesi added that the stations will showcase the best in entertainment and music, sports, documentary, movies, news.
However, it is worthy of note that Movistar Channel 333, an European initiative from the stables of Daar Communications PLC, will be formally launched from the 22nd-24th of September, 2008 at the Millennium Dome in London.