By Gracious Mugovera

ZIMBABWEANS can now continue to enjoy popular SABC soapies and local entertainment programmes courtesy of BOStv, an indigenous owned channel on My TV Africa Bouquet, which started broadcasting last month.
My TV can be viewed on ‘Strong Decoders’ which can be subscribed and BOStv as one of its featured channels is being shown in 52 countries across Africa.
For more than five years Zimbabweans in both rural and urban areas had been making use of the free to air decoders to view South African and Botswana channels.
Hence many Zimbabweans were disappointed after the three SABC channels were removed from the free to air decoders leaving others opting for pirated discs of episodes of their popular South African soapies such as Generations.
However, the introduction of BOStv has been received resoundingly by local viewers of SABC soapies.
Locally funded, BOStv is a Pay Channel owned by Dr Dish (Private) Limited which is a licenced content distributor by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ).
In an interview with Patriot Arts, BOStv vice-chairperson, Ephraim Chaoneka hailed the Zimbabwean government for giving people the opportunity to be entertained.
“I greatly appreciate the Government for giving us the opportunity to own a content distribution channel that will enable us to export the brand Zimbabwe,” said Chaoneka
“BOStv brought back the popular SABC soapies and children programmes for local and international viewers.”
Although the channel had not been launched, said Chaoneka, it started officially broadcasting on October 1 2013.
Apart from showing the SABC soapies such as Generations, Muvhango, Isidingo and Rythym City, the channel also caters for local productions, both movies and music.
Its broadcast combines local, regional and international content to enable viewers to be vexed with what is happening across the globe.
We believe, said Chaoneka, that our arts have the same quality as international productions, hence the need to give our local artistes the opportunity to show off their talent.
“We want our local artistes to be popular not only in Zimbabwe, but in other countries which are already watching BOStv.
Through the local programmes, BOStv is also encouraging upcoming local artistes from around the country the opportunity to be known in Zimbabwe and other countries.
Chaoneka said BOStv is also planning to cover churches and reality shows.
Apart from featuring BOStv, My TV also features other channels which include Zee cinema, Silverbird, True movies 1, My TV Africa, My TV Hausa, Bet, Al Jazeera, Kids Co and AIT among others.