africachannel The Africa Channel has announced its upcoming launch of TAC (The Africa Channel) Studios, which will be a production arm of the cable channel. The official launch will take place at DISCOP 2016 in Johannesburg, the annual event/market dedicated to the production and distribution of multi-platform, film and television content across Africa, which runs from November 2-4.

TAC Studios will build on the network’s existing production initiatives by developing, producing and distributing premium lifestyle content reflecting Africa’s influence on the world. It will collaborate with producers from Africa and around the globe to bring contemporary stories, authentic voices and high quality productions to audiences worldwide. The preliminary focus of TAC Studios will be on lifestyle content including travel, food, health/beauty, music and reality/factual. The studio also has plans to put into development several scripted projects.

In addition to developing and producing shows, TAC Studios will also distribute TAC’s existing library of more than 300 hours of premium lifestyle HD content.

Leading up to the launch of TAC Studios, TAC has closed licensing deals in recent months with MNET, BET Africa, Australia’s SBS TV and several airlines including South African Airways and Kenya Airways.

Narendra Reddy, executive vice president, content & global operations, said, “We have been producing shows for several years for our own use but until now had not envisioned licensing our content to third parties. After receiving requests from several networks and digital platforms, we realized there is a market for high quality, affordable lifestyle content reflecting the people and influences of Africa. Building on the network of producers that we have cultivated on the continent, we decided to formalize the launch of TAC Studios.

“We chose to introduce TAC Studios at DISCOP 2016 because it is Africa’s number one TV and film marketplace for content buyers, sellers and independent producers.”

A sample of popular shows in TAC’s existing library include “30 Min. Tour,” “Africa Everywhere,” “Africa On A Plate,” “Care For Color,” “Minjiba Entertains,” “Muziki Ni”, “Chiney’s World” and a variety of critically acclaimed specials

Shows in development include “Made in Africa,” in which contestants compete to build a social impact business; “Worldwide Nate,” an extreme adventure and travel show following travel blogger Nathan Fluellen; “Shanty Chic,” a makeover show revealing “chic” in the most unexpected places; “Shadows Unexplained,” a series delving into unexplained and supernatural phenomena; “Shades of You,” a lifestyle show exploring various issues affecting people of color; and “Makeda & Wami,” a reality show following the life of a Southern gospel singer married to a Nigerian Comedian.

The Africa Channel is based in Los Angeles and is available in approximately 10 million homes in the U.S. on cable systems such as Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Cox.

For more info, visit http://www.theafricachannel.com.

The African Channel

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