M-Net creates library of African films

BY: Clive Whittingham

M-Net is launching a video-on-demand service that will bring its catalogue of African content to a global audience. M-Net has spent the past three years digitising and restoring its collection of 110 titles to form The African Film Library (AFL).

The catalogue includes films and documentaries from across the continent and is managed by DStv Online, a multi-channel digital satellite and online TV service that is part of M-Net’s parent company, MultiChoice.

Users will be able to download or rent titles by registering at the library’s website and purchasing credits. M-Net plans to expand the catalogue to 700 titles following launch.

It is hoped the new venture will drive growth and development of the African film market and provide content makers with a new revenue stream.

Mike Dearham, head of sales and library at M-Net, said: “The advent of digitisation has catalysed the pace and quality of our documentary production and the AFL is an important step in supporting our industry’s continued growth on the world stage.”

The initiative is one of several VoD projects being launched by broadcasters in Africa, with East African pay-TV firm Wananchi Group also focusing its efforts on rolling out on-demand platforms this year.