Tanzania registers significant growth in the broadcasting sector

Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) has said that by June 2023, there were a total of 3,342,626 digital television receivers, compared to 3,169,231 ordered in the same period last year.

Out of these, 1,700,205 were digital terrestrial television (DTT) receivers, and 1,642,421 were satellite TV receivers.

Among the regions, Dar es Salaam leads with the highest number of digital television receivers (1,286,354), followed by Arusha (275,449), Mwanza (262,380), and Mbeya (208,924).

The region with the fewest digital television receivers is Songwe (1,357).

“TCRA has been instrumental in promoting the broadcasting industry's growth by allocating Radio Frequency Spectrum Resources in 21 regions across the country during the just-ended Fiscal Year,” said TCRA’s director general Dr Jabiri Bakari when tabling the communication sector performance before the media.

Cable television services have also witnessed a steady rise, with the number of subscribers growing from 16,786 in 2018 to 19,671 in June 2023.

The Lake Zone regions have embraced cable TV services, with Shinyanga leading the way with 2,803 subscribers, followed by Mwanza with 2,195, and Kagera with 1,770 subscribers.

Conversely, Kilimanjaro (130), Morogoro (120), and Pwani (30) have relatively lower numbers of cable TV subscribers.

During the year the registered broadcasting entities, including 66 television stations, 272 online TVs, 81 cable TVs, 225 radios, and 8 online radios.

The Authority said this move allowed 30 service providers to establish radio broadcasting stations in various regions until June 2023.

“TCRA's efforts in promoting local content have been evident in the creation of fourteen nationally licensed stations that focus on producing programs dedicated to family and youth education," emphasized Jabiri.

Furthermore, TCRA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Children, is coordinating a special program to produce ethical content for 150 district-licensed broadcasting stations.

"The goal is to use existing local broadcasting infrastructure to educate and build a society that values ethics, traditions, and Tanzanian culture,” he said.

The remarkable growth of the broadcasting sector is a testament to Tanzania's commitment to nurturing its media landscape, promoting local content, and ensuring that its citizens receive valuable and culturally appropriate content.

“With TCRA's continuous efforts and collaborative initiatives, Tanzania's broadcasting sector is set to make even greater strides in the future, positively impacting society and strengthening the nation's cultural identity,” emphasized the DG.

A resident of Dar es Salaam Ms Happy Kavishe applauded the government's move to promote the growth of local content through broadcast media by ensuring the licensing framework becomes friendlier.

"The government's decision to scrap licensing for online content creators who focus on non-current affairs information should be applauded; I also believe that the growth of the entertainment sector is boosting the industry," she added.