Zee Entertainment Africa, a leading multinational media conglomerate, has launched Zee Dunia, its first free-to-air (FTA) television channel in Kenya. The move marks the company’s entry into Africa’s FTA media landscape, aiming to expand entertainment options for a growing audience across the continent.
The launch of Zee Dunia is a significant milestone for Zee Entertainment, making it the first multinational company to offer FTA television services in Africa. According to Somnath Malakar, CEO of Zee Entertainment – Africa & Indian Ocean Islands, the initiative aligns with the company’s commitment to innovation and content diversification.
“As part of our longstanding legacy of excellence in production and innovation, we are dedicated to supporting and empowering creatives through collaboration and content diversification incorporating local components. We have invested heavily in our distribution for greater reach to contribute to the growth and development of the media and entertainment economy,” said Malakar.
Kenya was selected as the launch market due to its dynamic and evolving media industry, which is one of the most advanced in the region. Neha Sharma, VP East Africa at Zee Entertainment Africa, emphasized that Zee Dunia aims to provide holistic family entertainment while also investing in local talent.
“Kenya’s evolving media and thriving content creation space influenced our decision to launch our first free-to-air channel in this market. It also marks a significant milestone in our commitment to the industry as we are excited to offer holistic family viewing, bringing diverse and engaging programming to households across the nation, while simultaneously investing in Kenyan talent and resources,” said Sharma.
The channel has secured strong distribution, reaching 41 sites across Kenya through PANG and Signet. With a mix of movies, series, and lifestyle shows, Zee Dunia seeks to attract a broad audience, including new demographics unfamiliar with Zee Entertainment’s existing pay-TV offerings on platforms such as DStv and StarTimes.
Presidential Economic Advisor Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani acknowledged Zee’s investment in Kenya’s entertainment sector, stating that the launch of Zee Dunia will create new job opportunities for media professionals, content creators, and production companies. He also noted that the channel’s family-friendly content would help foster cultural cohesion in the country.
Beyond entertainment, Zee Dunia is committed to nurturing Kenya’s creative industry by supporting both emerging and established storytellers. Zee Entertainment Africa aims to strengthen the local media landscape while contributing to Kenya’s wider economic growth.
Established in 1996, Zee Entertainment Africa operates from its head office in Johannesburg and broadcasts to over 50 million viewers across 50 territories in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. The addition of Zee Dunia to Kenya’s 60-plus FTA channels underscores the company’s confidence in the country’s entertainment market and its potential for further expansion.