M-net’s Studio 53 Gets Makeover

M-net’s Studio 53 lifestyle series has captivated audiences across Africa, capturing the continent’s appeal and celebrating its talent, landscapes and energy, in the five years since its debut.
Studio 53 (named in honour of the 53 countries in the African Union), has visited dozens of countries, stretching from the Cape’s southern tip of Africa to Cairo in the North. Along the way, the series has stopped at destinations as varied as the ancient cities of Ethiopia and Tunisia, the stunning dunes and deserts of Namibia and Mali, the bustling heart of Nigeria’s Nollywood, the splendour of the Indian Ocean Islands and the magnificent Kenyan coastline. 
Having returned to DStv screens on May 24 in a brand-new one-hour Sunday timeslot on M-Net, the refreshed Studio 53 now incorporates the best of its past with several dynamic new elements and three new gorgeous presenters. Still focused on positively profiling the events, people and places of Africa, the series has moved out of its former studio, and each week, one of Africa’s most breathtaking and glamorous locations serves as the backdrop to the week’s stories.
First stop was the exotic island of Lamu in Kenya, from where series presenter Gaetano Kagwa introduced an eight story line-up including an insert from New York Fashion Week, where African designers hit the runway for the first time ever, as the likes of Oluchi, Grace Jones, Alek Wek and Face of Africa 2008 winner Kate Menson headed onto the catwalk.
In addition, episode one saw Studio 53 get VIP access to the latest album launch from hit-making Nigerian musician Ikechukwu who invited the team home with him as he demonstrated his lesser-known but quite delicious culinary skills. Audiences also saw an interview with international superstar, Eddy Grant whose hits, Baby Come Back, I Don’t Wanna Dance and Electric Avenue have made him a global music icon. Studio 53 also showcased the unique sounds of a Kenyan classic-fusion concert where two very different schools of music are merging to create an entirely new rhythm.
Biola Adekanbi, M-net Africa Director, says: “It’s still Studio 53 but with a fresh new dimension and some innovative changes. By making the series longer, we want to meet the growing demand for lifestyle programming while the Sunday time-slot taps into the dynamic of a weekend family gathering. It’s TV with style, contemporary African style and that’s what we hope our audiences will connect with.”
Now, as Studio 53 embarks on a new journey and goes in search of new sights, sounds and scenes, its viewers will once again get a first-class ticket to travel their continent, without leaving their homes, to discover hidden worlds and exciting happenings, to celebrate the continent we all call home.