Leading Ugandan TV station NBS Television CEO Kin Kariisa (right), with other top officials, is briefed by a technician in one of KTN’s studios at the Standard Group Centre on Mombasa Road, Monday. [PHOTO: MOSES OMUSULA/STANDARD]

By MACHARIA KAMAU

NAIROBI, KENYA: Leading broadcaster Kenya Television Network (KTN) has partnered with NBS Television of Uganda in a move expected to be a game changer in the delivery of news and other television content in East Africa.

The agreement between the two broadcasters will enable them share content, broadcast equipment and train journalists.

The partnership will also enable the two to tap into the growing demand for information across the East African Community (EAC) as well as the larger Eastern Africa region with the strengthening of trade ties. Content sharing means Kenyans will have access to news packaged by NBS TV journalists in Uganda while the same will be reciprocated for NBS TV audience in Uganda.

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Sam Shollei, chief executive officer of the Standard Group, which runs KTN, said the agreement would increase awareness on opportunities available not just in Kenya and Uganda but also in the EAC region.

He was speaking when he hosted senior NBS TV officials at the Standard Group offices in Nairobi.

“We will make sure that the partnership works for the benefit of the two stations and East Africa by sharing content especially our lead stories.”

“We want to play a part in ensuring that these regional relations are fast tracked, and facilitate deepening of trade within the region by getting the message across,” said Shollei.

NBS TV has been in the Ugandan market for seven years.

NBS TV Chief Executive Officer Kin Kariisa said the broadcasters had grown fairly fast to be among the market leaders in the provision of current affairs, sports and entertainment news in Uganda.

CONTENT DIVERSITY

He added that the station was now looking to up the quality of its services and increase the diversity of its content for its Ugandan market as well as grow its audience reach in the region.

“The content on KTN is authoritative and factual and it has been in the market longer than any other player. It was the best choice for us. The partnership will change the landscape in the region and how we do business in Uganda,” he said.

KTN has been in the market for 25 years now. The partnership by the two stations is expected to boost relations with private sector players with operations in the two countries.