Mibawa TV setting the music tone
Privately-run television channel Mibawa TV has emerged as one of the leading platforms when it comes to offering local music entertainment.
Recently, the station raised its status through live music performances, which have proved to be a game-changer on the local entertainment scene.
Mibawa TV director John Nthakomwa said he believes that television is meant for entertainment and information and that they achieve that by putting together good sound and picture to enable the audience enjoy good music.
So far, 14 live music performances have been beamed on the television station and Nthakomwa said from the experience they have had, it shows that music has the potential to provide a bigger attraction than football.
“It is an initiative which is viable economically. It is sustainable as it provides visibility and the platform for the clients to communicate about their products. We need partners to help us pay the artists since we are operating on free to air channel,” he said.
The TV station has so far partnered with organisations such as Malawi Red Cross Society and WS Bet in the initiative.
Nthakomwa said their efforts to reach out to other organisations have not been successful.
Meanwhile, the initiative has been endorsed by some of the country’s big players in the entertainment industry.
Black Missionaries Band manager Ras Ray Harawa said the online shows are the perfect platform to increase their arts reach.
“That initiative is a masterstroke. It demonstrates that Mibawa TV is moving with the time. Not everyone can attend live shows at a given time due to various limitations. But the shows, which are on TV and online, have the potential to reach people from far and wide,” he said.
Harawa said a lot of local talent doesn’t get international recognition because of lack of platforms to showcase their potential to the world.
Mikozi Online lead Excess Chiligo said the module deployed by Mibawa TV represents a transition people should get used to. He added that artists can use the online shows to market and promote their offline events.
He said: “These are two things that can go together. The music is the same but the experience is different. When the online shows have a sponsor, it becomes easy for the artists since it maximises their revenue. It is a good idea since the platform exposes the artists to a large audience.”
Sam Chiwaka, who manages musician Faith Mussa said: “All artists need to do is to have a clear plan of what they want to do after an appearance on Mibawa TV. They don’t have to let the steam of their moment fade. Let them leverage on that by going on tours.” The platform has been graced by some of the biggest names on the local music scene such as Black Missionaries Band, Lulu, Lucius Banda and Zembani Band, Ben Mankhamba and last week the Mibawa TV stage was the centre of attraction when it hosted the revived music star Mlaka Maliro.
