eNews Channel changes name to eNCA; expands into the United Kingdom

South Africa’s first independent 24-hour television news service has unveiled its new name and logo.

From 7pm on Sunday August 19th the eNews Channel will become known as eNews Channel Africa or eNCA (pronounced E.N.C.A). The new look service will also feature a redesign of its logo to incorporate the African continent into its brand identity.

The brand change coincides with the channel’s launch into the United Kingdom.

The news provider confirmed earlier this month that it will be launching on the SKY digital satellite platform in the UK.

Group Head of News, Patrick Conroy, says “This will give us access to over 10 million subscribers in that market. What is really significant though is that we will have access to the South Africa expat community. If they want news from home it’s just a click away.”

Says Conroy, “We are a well-established brand in Southern Africa, but we are still relatively unknown globally. We want viewers to instantly recognise where we are from when they encounter our service or brand. The two red triangles symbolise our South African roots.”

eNews Channel Africa (eNCA) says the nature of its news casts will not change. “This is the same service DStv viewers have become accustomed to. Apart from a few cosmetic changes the content will be exactly the same. The only difference now is that your friends and relatives in the UK can get television news direct from home” adds Conroy.

Within hours of the rebranded service being unveiled in South Africa the service will be switched on the in UK at approximately 8am on Monday August 20th.

CEO Marcel Golding says the launch of eNCA in the UK is a historic achievement. “This marks a real break-through for news broadcasters in Africa. It is the first time a home-grown service has been able to provide news and current affairs to audiences beyond the Continent”.

Golding would not be drawn on any other international deals but predicts that eNews Channel Africa (eNCA) will be available in many more territories in the future. “This is just the beginning of our efforts to expand beyond and across Africa. We are an authentic and genuine voice for the people who live here.” he says.

Also to be launched within coming months will be eNCA’s online offering. The development of this site is currently underway.

African viewer outside Southern Africa can watch the channel on e.TV Africa between 11pm WAT to 8am WAT on DStv channel 144.