MTV Networks Africa appoints Helen Smit as Programming Director

By Thinus Ferreira

Guess who’s back? There are TV executives and then there are brilliant TV executives. Helen Smit is one of the latter and now she’s returning to South Africa to spearhead the music programming offering of MTV Networks Africa as the new programming director for music for MTVNA.

The highly accomplished, much-liked, extremely successful and sought-after Helen Smit is switching Abu Dhai for Johannesburg and will be heading up and driving the programming strategy for MTV’s TV channels in Africa which include MTV, MTV Base and VH1. Helen Smit will now be responsible for content scheduling, programme acquisition, research and planning for these channels.

Helen Smit left M-Net in July 2010 where she was the head of local productions to become the deputy director of programming for the Baynounah Media Group in Abu Dhabi. She was in charge of the English language service of the TV station targeted at expatriates in the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region.

Her resignation in mid-2010 came as a huge blow for M-Net where she worked as a commissioning editor since 2000 and went on to become general manager for KTV, launched the GO channel (now Vuzu) and eventually became the figure head for the pay broadcaster’s local content offering.

Now the Rhodes University alum known for her very involved and hands-on management style is back and she will in all likelihood create magic for MTV with her acute sense for TV programming, her knack for show development and programme tinkering and her phenomenal cross-platform, multi-discipline intuitive approach to making television. Helen Smit is very well regarded for her insight into youth media consumption.

”We are delighted to welcome Helen Smit into the fold at MTV Networks Africa,” says Alex Okosi, the senior vice president and managing director of MTV Networks Africa. ”Her insights into youth media consumption habits and expertise in scheduling across multiple platforms will be a valuable addition to the business as we continue to expand our African TV and content multiplex.”