"This book explores how television in the global South is 'future-proofing' its continued relevance, addressing its commercial, social and political viability in a constantly changing information ecosystem. The chapter contributions in the book are drawn from countries in East, South and West Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, specially selected for their illustrative potential of the key issues addressed in the book. Scholarly attention on television in the global South has largely been limited to studying evolving television formats with broader structural issues covered almost entirely by industry reports. Major gaps remain in terms of understanding how television in the global South is changing within the context of the significant technological developments and what this means for television's future(s). The chapters reflect on these futures, not in the sense of predicting what these might be, but rather anticipating important areas of intellection. The contributors contend that much of the scholarship on the global South, by scholars from the South, is often stilted by a reluctance to anticipate. This failure leads to a largely reactionary scholarship, constantly oppositional, and unable to recentre conversations on the South. This volume finds intellectual incentive in this urgent need to anticipate, hence its particular focus on television futures." (Publisher description)
1 Introduction / George Ogola, 1
PART I: THE CHANGING TELEVISION MARKET
2 Original Local Productions, Streaming Services and the Future of Subscription TV in South Africa / Alexia Smit, 11
3 Saudi Arabian Television: The Challenge of Connecting with Reality / Naomi Sakr, 29
4 Surviving Digital Disruptions: The Future of Television in Kenya / Nancy Kacungira and Mike Owuor, 49
5 Television's Uncertain and Fragmented Future: Battling the Digital Revolution in Uganda / Ivan Okuda, 71
PART II: THE 'NEW SCRAMBLE' FOR AFRICA
6 The BBC in Africa: Western Influencer, Soft Power Purveyor, or African Broadcaster? / Peter Burdin, 89
7 China Global Television Network's Debate Show, 'Talk Africa': Conflict, Economics, and Geopolitics / Bob Wekesa, 107
PART III: TELEVISION POLICY AND REGULATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE
8 The Past and Future of Media Giants in Latin America: The Legacy of Clientelism in Brazil's Broadcast Television Development / Elizabeth A. Stein and Karine Belarmino, 131
9 Off the Map: Mexican TV Navigates a Post-national, Post-broadcast World / Vinicio Sinta, 169
10 The Politics of Broadcasting Regulation in Uganda / Adolf E. Mbaine, 193
11 When Stakeholder Interests Truncate Policy Intentions: The Case of Digital Television Migration in Nigeria / Akin Akingbulu, 213