M-Net launches Africa Magic Swahili on July 1.

M-Net has announced the arrival of their new baby, Africa Magic Swahili, a gift for more than 124 million Swahili speakers across the continent.

M-Net Africa Managing Director Biola Alabi says the complete Swahili package will debut on DStv channel 127 on July 1, at 3pm to be precise.

General Manager of Multichoice Kenya Stephen Isaboke  and  M-Net Africa Managing Director Biola Alabi

“Kiswahili is one of the oldest and most beautiful languages in the world. It’s also one of the most widely spoken languages in the region,” she said, stressing that it was a by-product of an urgent request from subscribers in the region.

Africa Magic Swahili will be the fifth offering of more localised content for the region after Africa Magic, Africa Magic Plus, Africa Magic Hausa and Africa Magic Yoruba.

DStv Channel 127 will initially broadcast on six hour loops much like the M-Net Series channel, and content will range from movies, drama series, talks shows and music videos.

“Content is a big challenge,” says Wangeci Murage, program Manager for M-Net in East Africa, who acknowledges that most of content is currently being sourced from Tanzania.

She however stresses that since there is a platform, local producers and film makers should take advantage of the chances to come up with more content.

It should come as good news to film makers in Kenya who rarely have an outlet for their creations that would generate revenue.

Wangeci has called on any film maker with relevant content to drop it at the M-Net offices in Rahimtulla Towers in Upper Hill,Kenya.

Biola said that most of the contracts they sign with programmes on their pay-TV channel range between 12 and 18 months, and this has been a successful model across the continent.

Stephen Isaboke,Biola Alabi and Wangeci Murage, program Manager for M-Net in East Africa

She also took the chance to announce that they would be shooting another season of Changes in the near future.

The General Manager of Multichoice Kenya Stephen Isaboke said the channel would be available even on their cheapest bouquet – DSTv Access – making it within reach for anyone who can afford to pay the monthly subscription.

Anyone can enjoy the programmes on the channel though as the dramas and movies will have English subtitles.