The Africa Channel and its production arm, TAC Studios, is a showcase for the African continent’s most outstanding English-language television series, specials, documentaries, feature films, music, biographies and cultural and historical content. The channel’s mission is to open up a daily window into modern African life and, in the process, help demystify Africa for viewers globally. The Africa Channel is based in Los Angeles and is available in approximately seven million homes in North America and the Caribbean on cable systems such as Comcast, Charter/Spectrum, and the Caribbean Cable Cooperative. In addition, it’s streaming subscription video-on-demand platform, Demand Africa.com, is available worldwide on the web, mobile and connected devices.

Our Mission? To open up a daily window into modern African life and, in the process, help demystify Africa for American viewers.

Press Releases

Media Coverage

• Cision, November 8, 2018 “The Africa Channel and the BBC have formed a new partnership that will allow audiences in North America and the Caribbean to see a rich variety of Africa-produced BBC programming on television. The deal, finalized at Mipcom 2018, envisions seven new BBC shows encompassing news, in-depth investigations, sports, business, debate, health and children. The programs will launch on The Africa Channel this fall.”
• Deadline, October 20, 2018 “Following a screening of the first episode of The Diaspora Dialogues, a limited edition series on The Africa Channel, Queen Sugar stars Dawn-Lyen Gardner and Kofi Siriboe opened up about their experience with cultural identity in a discussion led by Diaspora Dialogues creator/EP and host Koshie Mills.”
• EURweb, September 15, 2018 “The Africa Channel has launched a 10-part digital series that asks a simple yet compelling question, “What if movie icons wore African fashion?”
• Lee Bailey’s Electronic Urban Report, July 15, 2018 “President Nelson Mandela once said, ‘It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it,’ and all of us at The Africa Channel are proud to share that message and promote action through this special programming event.” – Narendra Reddy, EVP/GM, The Africa Channel.”
• Cision, July 13, 2018 “In addition to airing live on The Africa Channel TV network, the program will also stream live on https://www.facebook.com/theafricachanneltv along with additional short videos, stills, inspirational quotes, a quiz, and a Nelson Mandela coloring book all from the collection of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.”
• Le Lézard, July 13, 2018 “The Africa Channel will present a special repeat airing of the program on Mandela Day, July 18 at 3:30pm ET.”
• World News Network, July 13, 2018 “In Celebration of the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s Birth, The Africa Channel will air an uninterrupted live broacast via satellite of The Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture…”
• Screen Arica, June 29, 2018 “As part of this programme, The Africa Channel (TAC), will present ‘It’s Time For Africa | Creating & Producing for a Global Market’, a discussion to be moderated by Brendan Gabriel, VP Production & Creative Development, TAC, with a special focus on practical tips tailored for producers who want to sell their content globally.”
• Animation Magazine, May 6, 2018 “The Africa Channel (TAC), the largest broadcaster and producer of African-themed content in North America, has introduced its first ever animated kids programming offerings this spring, as part of a weekly block launched April 7.”
• MIP Trends, April 11, 2018 “This strategic alliance brings together two of the world’s leading providers of African-themed content, to the benefit of audiences in the US and around the globe.”
• Screen Africa, April 11, 2018 “Côte Ouest will become a principal supplier of content for The Africa Channel’s linear platform. Programmes supplied in 2018 include a broad range of premium-scripted series including Shampaign, a TV Series on the shenanigans surrounding the election of the first female Ghanaian president.”
• Synopsis, April 11, 2018 “The Africa Channel and Côte Ouest signed a strategic alliance in which the parties will jointly pursue distribution, licensing and production opportunities across the globe.”
• Cision, April 10, 2018 “The Africa Channel and Côte Ouest announced at MIPTV today in Cannes that they have signed a broad-ranging strategic alliance in which the parties will jointly pursue distribution, licensing and production opportunities across the globe.”
• Broadway World, April 10, 2018 “The Africa Channel is the largest broadcaster and producer of African-themed content in North America. CteOuest is the world’s largest distributor of African content.”
• Business Ghana, April 4, 2018 “The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) and DISCOP Zanzibar are proud to announce The Africa Channel, the largest broadcaster of Africa-themed content in North America, as the official sponsor of the inaugural TV Series Festival 2018.”
• RadioBiz, April 4, 2018 “The ZANZIBAR TV SERIES FESTIVAL presented by The Africa Channel will be the official showcase for TV shows selected in competition for ZIFF.”
• All Africa, April 4, 2018 “Broadcast TV in Africa is still a rapidly expanding environment, and with the rest of the world eagerly looking to Africa for fresh and original content, platforms like The Africa Channel are ideally poised to share this content globally.”
• ZA24H, April 4, 2018 “The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) and Discop Markets Zanzibar have announced The Africa Channel- the largest broadcaster of Africa-themed content in North America- as the official sponsor of the TV Series Festival 2018.”
• News Ghana, April 4, 2018 “Open to the public as well as industry guests, The ZANZIBAR TV SERIES FESTIVAL presented by The Africa Channel will celebrate excellence.”
• It News Nigeria, April 4, 2018 “Two days of competition screenings selected by the ZIFF Festival will screen from the 12th and 13th of July, and will be followed by a showcase day of screenings on the 14th where platforms such as The Africa Channel will highlight some of the their newest and most exciting content.”
• Screen Africa, April 3, 2018 “Broadcast TV in Africa is still a rapidly expanding environment, and with the rest of the world eagerly looking to Africa for fresh and original content, platforms like The Africa Channel are ideally poised to share this content globally.”
• The Citizen, April 3, 2018 “The Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) and DISCOP Zanzibar are proud to announce The Africa Channel, the largest broadcaster of Africa-themed content in North America, as the official sponsor of the inaugural TV Series Festival 2018.”
• Biz Community, April 3, 2018 “Discop Market’s general manager Patrick Zuchowicki explains the rationale for this partnership: “We are proud to welcome The Africa Channel as the sponsor of the inaugural edition of The Zanzibar TV Series Festival.”
• TV News4U, April 3, 2018 “Narendra Reddy, Executive Vice President & General Manager of The Africa Channel, said, “We are so proud to be the official sponsor of the inaugural Zanzibar TV Series Festival at this year’s ZIFF event.”
• World Screen, Mar 26, 2018 “The Africa Channel (TAC), which broadcasts and produces African-themed content in North America, is gearing up to premiere its first-ever animated kids’ programming on April 7.”
• NextTV Africa, Mar 26, 2018 “The Africa Channel (TAC) announced today that it will premiere its first-ever animated kids programming on Saturday, April 7.”
• Screen Africa, Mar 26, 2018 “The Africa Channel (TAC), the largest broadcaster and producer of African-themed content in North America, will be airing its first-ever animated kids programming on Saturday.”
• Video Age International, Mar 26, 2018 “The Africa Channel (TAC) will premiere its first-ever animated kids programming on April 7, 2019. TAC will debut Jabu’s Jungle and The Magic Cellar.”
• Variety, Oct 16, 2017 “TAC Studios has inked two international content licensing deals with Viasat World and Kwesé TV, expanding the global reach of The Africa Channel’s year-old production arm.”
• MultiChannel, Oct 16, 2017 “Urban Movie Channel Acquires SVOD Rights for 13-episode ‘World Wide Nate: African Adventures”
• TalkMedia Africa, Oct 16, 2017 “TAC Studios, a production arm of The Africa Channel cable network, announced today its first original series sale in the U.S. , with Urban Movie Channel (UMC) acquiring SVOD rights for the 13-episode “World Wide Nate: African Adventures.””
• Cynopsis, Oct 16, 2017 “World Wide Nate: African Adventures, currently in production at locations across Africa.”
• Programming Insider, Oct 16, 2017 “Urban Movie Channel Acquires the SVOD Rights for “World Wide Nate: African Adventures.”
• ScreenAfrica, Sept 26, 2017 “The Africa Channel Sets Launch of New Subscription VOD Service”
• Variety, Sept 12, 2017 “The Africa Channel Sets Launch of Subscription VOD Service”
• The Street, Sept 12, 2017 “Demand Africa, New Streaming Service Launching on October 1, to Use Brightcove OTT Flow”
• Business Insider, Sept 12, 2017 “Demand Africa Launches October 1 Streaming Premium African Content to The World”
• Screen Africa, July 31, 2017 “Brendan Gabriel appointed as VP of Creative and Production for The Africa Channel”
• Cynopsis, July 11, 2017 “Tonight on The Africa Channel is the premiere of ‘Cuppy Takes Africa’
• MultiChannel News, June 19, 2017 “The Africa Channel to Premiere New Series, ‘Cuppy Takes Africa,’ and Season Two of ‘The Ultimate Braai Master”
• NextTV, April 10, 2017 “Sheila Cole VP, post production operations and Brendan Gabriel VP, production and creative director join The Africa Channel”
• South China Morning Post, May 16, 2017 “When Paula Williams Madison traced her family history, it took her from her home in New York to Jamaica, and on to southern China. Her documentary tells an amazing story of the Hakka diaspora in the early 20th century”
• Cablefax, April 3, 2017 “The Africa Channel adds Sheila Cole as VP, post production operations, and Brendan Gabriel as VP, production and creative director.”
• MIPTV News page 23, April 4, 2017 “TAC STUDIOS is making its debut at MIPTV this year. The company, a division of The Africa Channel is bringing more than 300 hours of finished series and documentaries to the market including Africa On A Plate, Minjiba Entertains and World Wide Nate.”
• Cablefax, April 3, 2017 “The Africa Channel adds Sheila Cole as VP, post production operations, and Brendan Gabriel as VP, production and creative director.”
• Cynopsis, March 28, 2017 “The Africa Channel hired Sheila Cole as VP, post production operations, and Brendan Gabriel as VP, production and creative director. Cole’s 20-year career in television encompasses work with NBC, Paisley Park, Comedy Central, Warner Bros. and BET. Gabriel most recently was head of creative for Endemol Shine Africa.”
• Cynopsis, January 18, 2017 “The Africa Channel announced a Black History Month initiative that includes the premieres of originals from its recently launched production arm, TAC Studios. Premiering on Sundays and repeating on Thursdays will be Africa Everywhwere, In Focus: Black Women in Media, Shades of You and Fighting for King and Empire: Britain’s Caribbean Heroes, among others.”
• Multi Channel News, November 2016 “Narendra Reddy, formerly executive vice president of content & Global Operations for TAC, will be responsible for all operations related to The Africa Channel, including its recently announced production arm TAC Studios, said network officials.”
• Variety, October 2016 “Discop Africa: Former NBC Exec Paula Madison and Others Talk Opportunities for African Women in Media”
• Cynopsis, November 2016“The Africa Channel upped Narendra Reddy to Executive Vice President & General Manager. Reddy had been Executive Vice President, Content & Global Operations.”
• Variety, October 2016“Discop Africa: Former NBC Exec Paula Madison and Others Talk Opportunities for African Women in Media”

• IT News Africa, October 2016 “A sample of popular shows in TAC’s existing library include “30 Min. Tour,” “Africa Everywhere,” “Africa On A Plate,” “Care For Color,” “Minjiba Entertains,” “Muziki Ni”, “Chiney’s World” and a variety of critically acclaimed specials.”

• Reel Screen , October 2016 “The channel showcases the African continent’s most outstanding English-language television series, specials, documentaries, feature films, music, soaps, biographies, current business analysis and cultural and historical programs.”
• Screen Africa, October 2016 “TAC Studios focus will formalise and build on the network’s existing production initiatives by developing, producing and distributing premium lifestyle content reflecting Africa’s influence on the world.”
• Variety, October 2016 “Based in L.A., TAC Studios are being set up to finance and distribute premium lifestyle programming about contemporary African life. They will work with a network of producers and production companies in Africa and around the world.”
• Cynopsis, October 2016 “The Africa Channel’s fall slate boasts four new acquisitions from the African content. Series include sci-fi show Room 9, premiering Halloween;  BBQ competition The Ultimate Braai Master; baking show Di Ya Wela and lifestyle series The Fattening Room, which places six women in a traditional finishing school.”
• Multi Channel News, September 2016 “Comcast Cable will offer video on demand content from The Africa Channel to its subscribers as part of an expanded partnership deal between the two companies.The agreement calls for Comcast to add Africa Channel original and acquired content to its Black Film & TV VOD offering, which already offers more than 2,000 hours of programming, said the network.”
• Variety, May 2016 “The Africa Channel is expanding its original programming slate, greenlighting a new cooking show and three pilots. Minjiba Cookey, a Nigerian food blogger, will host the channel’s latest cooking and lifestyle series, “Minjiba Entertains.” The pilot lineup includes “Shanty Chic,” a design and home improvement show from South Africa’s Forefront Media; “Shadows Unexplained,” a series exploring paranormal phenomenon, mysteries, and myths on the continent from TAC Productions; and “Elements,” a docu-series featuring Kenyan host Ruby Kang’ethe from Amsterdam based Loman Productions.”
• Cablefax Daily, April 2016 “Africa Channel head of new media/creative director Brian Newton was the only programmer who talked about distribution agreements limiting OTT offerings. It was a provision included when the net launched in 2005. Africa Channel, which is in about 10mln homes, is currently renegotiating deals with at least a 90-day window during which it can post content online. “But currently we can’t take part in any initiatives over-the-top so we’ve [considered] the idea of launching an additional network that is completely free and clear so we can take advantage of platforms like Pluto TV and a few others that play in the international landscape,” Newton said.”
• Multichannel News, April 2016 Indies Aren’t Catching the Diversity Wave: “Even if the heads of programming for these various distributors believe that this content that we have will resonate with audiences, basically they’re forced to carry networks from the companies that have far greater lever- age than we do,”
• Cynopsis, February 2016“BHM programming unfortunately hasn’t really evolved over the years and programmers tend to focus on the literal interpretation of the history of the African-American experience,” says Paula Williams Madison, consultant and shareholder of The Africa Channel and author of Finding Samuel Lowe, the book on which the film of the same name that premieres on BHM this month is based. “It’s time to expand the conversation and include issues affecting back people worldwide.”
• Cynopsis, January 2016 The Africa Channel’s “Know Your Heritage” campaign launches with the TV premiere of Finding Samuel Lowe, about three siblings on a journey to find the descendants of a Chines grandfather, on Sunday, January 31. Follow-up feature Tracing History: The Lowe Family Journey will run on theafricachannel.com. Programming will also include an Instagram contest about the importance of knowing your heritage, and interstitials showing celebrity DNA test reveals that determine ancestral origins in Africa.
• Cynopsis, December 2015The Africa Channel has begun its “8 Gifts Holiday Movie Countdown,” featuring a holiday-themed movie premiere every Sunday and Monday night from Thanksgiving to Christmas. At noon on Christmas Eve, the net launches its “8 Gifts Holiday Movie Marathon,” with encores of the eight films leading into the 9p premiere of Nothing for Mahala, followed by behind-the-scenes special The Making of Nothing for Mahala; marathon then continues through December 26 at 6a.
• Variety, November 2015As Discop Africa wrapped its 11th edition Nov. 6 in Johannesburg, the focus turned to 2016, when the continent’s biggest TV content market travels to Abidjan, Ivory Coast, from May 31-June 2, before returning to South Africa in November.
• CYNOPSIS, September 2015No one can say The Africa Channel doesn’t have a sense of humor. The net launched daily morning show, Expresso, today – the same day South African native Trevor Noah takes his Daily Show seat – and TAC has a little fun with a Daily Show spoof.
• CYNOPSIS, September 2015Daily morning show Expresso will be a “signature series” for The Africa Channel, Narenda Reddy, SVP, programming and production, tells Cynopsis. But it was no small feat getting the program, which will air live in South Africa and on tape the next day in the U.S., off the ground.
• TVbytheNumbers, September 2015The Africa Channel (TAC) announced today a fall programming slate featuring 80+ hours of fresh content from September through the end of the year, headlined by the September 28 premiere of the daily morning show “Expresso,” the first series to ever air live on the African continent (Cape Town, South Africa) and then on tape the next day in the U.S.
• Multichannel News, September 2015The Africa Channel this month will launch a South African-based series a day after the show airs live on the African content, one of several new series set to debut through the rest of the year.
• Huffington Post, August 2015With House of Tayo in the spotlight, Rugamba joins a list of designers he believes will gradually change common misconceptions that all African fashion is simply “elaborate traditional costume or tacky pieces found in gift shops.”
• CRVIII, July 2015Lumumba Chic Debuts on ‘House Of Tayo’, available on The Africa Channel.
• OkayAfrica, July 2015A New Web Series Follows Rwandan Fashion Designer Matthew Rugamba & His ‘House Of Tayo’
• CYNOPSIS, July 2015The Africa Channel celebrates its annual “Mandela Week” July 13-19, remembering Nelson Mandela, who died in 2013 at the age of 95. Programming includes documentaries, specials and new episodes of returning series, all dedicated to the life of the anti-apartheid revolutionary and president of South Africa. Among the highlights: a five-part series of one-hour documentaries that trace Mandela’s life from his early years growing up in one of South Africa’s most rural regions to his rise as the country’s first Black president.
• CYNOPSIS, May 2015Intersexions, from South Africa, debuts on Africa Channel Sunday, May 31 at 9p. Drama presents interrelated stories of sexual relationships across age, geographic, racial and class boundaries, showing risk scenarios that could lead to HIV infection.
• Multichannel News, April 2015Cable network Africa Channel will launch an OTT service in 2016 that will feature African-themed content from the channel as well as exclusive content created on the continent
• CYNOPSIS, February 2015The Africa Channel has designated February Elders Month. “Not every life well lived ends up in history books,” said Lee Gaither, net GM/EVP.
• CABLEFAX, October 2014Africa Channel will support Congo Week (Oct 20-26), which is designed to raise consciousness about
  the situation in the Congo and advocate for peace and justice.
  – View PDF
• CYNOPSIS, October 2014The Africa Channel is collaborating with Congo in Harlem, a local initiative to raise global consciousness about the situation in the Congo, with a variety of cross-platform features the week of October 20.
• TARGET MARKET NEWS, July 2014The Africa Channel announced that it will make television history with the soft launch of a new morning show on Friday, July 18, the birth date of Nelson Mandela.
• CYNOPSIS, July 2014The Africa Channel will make television history with the soft launch of morning weekday series Expresso on Friday, July 18, the birth date of Nelson Mandela.
• TV MEDIA INSIGHTS, July 2014Throughout the summer, The Africa Channel will present “Expresso Previews,” which will highlight various segments from the series.

Press Contact

press@theafricachannel.com