Clearing the air about Spark TV

For starters, what is Spark TV?
Spark TV is the first feminine televison in Uganda. It was launched on December 18 last year at Born to Win, a concert that was headlined by Nigerian singer Patoranking and Tanzanian singer Diamond Platinumz.
Spark TV is an Edutainment channel, which covers shows and programmes meant to educate and entertain the viewers.

What are some of those programmes that entertain and educate at the same time?
My World, which was launched recently, is a reality mentorship programme that will be aired on Spark TV, following up on 24 young women who are being mentored by 14 professional and credited women in Uganda.
There is also a programme called Land rights show that we shall be premiering soon, the dates will be confirmed and many more lined up.

How different is Spark TV from NTV?
When NTV Uganda was opened about nine years ago, its main target was women. But a few years in business, management found out that most registered number of viewers was the male viewers.

So the idea of coming up with a female TV station was in the pipeline until last year in December when Spark TV was finally launched.
Further studies revealed there was no channel in Uganda with content beneficial for females so we moved to fill the gap with Spark TV.

Spark TV seems to be dominated by male presenters though.
That is like saying a single sex school of girls should not have male teachers. We select presenters regardless of their sex.
If a presenter is authentically capable of presenting a show, there is no way we can’t give him a chance to present on Spark TV.

You promised the station would be launched with a bang but it seems to have crept in instead.
Getting into the TV market is not easy like everyone else would think. There is an actual plan that we are going to use to roll out in the TV business.
What I can only say is that since the launch in December last year, we have been well received by the viewers.

Where do you envision Spark TV in three years to come?
I see the station becoming a household name in three or four years to come.

Is Spark TV any competition for NTV?
Spark TV and NTV have different audiences and they supplement each other. When people graduate from Spark TV, they are welcome to NTV because it is considered home.

How is Spark TV being presented as a female TV?
The aired commercials bring out the fact that the TV is mainly for women. Even majority of our invited guests for the launch of My World were women.

What are some of the challenges that Spark TV is facing?
The misconceptions about the station. Many people still do not understand who Spark TV is for.
Women in Uganda are faced with many disadvantages, but they should embrace and accept TVs like Spark TV, which is able to help them through the mentorship and other edutainment programmes that we offer.

Is Spark TV accessed in every part of the country?
For now, Spark TV is only based in the central region but soon, it will be launched countrywide. We mainly broadcast in Luganda because we offer mainly local content.

Where do you think the TV industry is heading in terms of development?
With the digital migration, more people will be able to access top quality TV programmes with ease. Spark TV at the moment can, for instance, be watched on Zuku TV, Star Times and GoTV.
Watching television on mobile is now possible. From the VIDTV application, for example, you are able to watch four channels. Digital has completely revolutionised television.

Factfile
I went to Uganda Martyrs University where I did a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.
Before joining NTV, I used to work with Aggrey & Clifford, a big Advertising Agency in Tanzania, which is also one of the leading agencies in Uganda.