eNCA
eNCA (also referred to as eNews Channel Africa) is a 24-hour television news broadcaster, owned by e.tv, focusing on South African and African stories. The broadcaster became South Africa's first & most watched 24-hour news service when it launched in June 2008.[1] Since its inception in 2008, the news channel has been constantly accused of spreading right-wing propaganda and Fake News by the African National Congress and EFF leader Julius Malema.[2][3]
 | |
| Country | South Africa |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Worldwide via (eNCA International) |
| Slogan | No fear. No favour. |
| Headquarters | Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 16:9 (576i, SDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | e.tv |
| Sister channels | e.tv eToonz eMovies eExtra eMovies Extra Rewind eReality News and Sports |
| History | |
| Launched | 1 June 2008 |
| Former names | eNews Channel (until 19 August 2012) |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| DStv | Channel 403 |
Availability
eNCA is available on DStv channel 403.
In August 2012, the channel began testing on the Eutelsat 28A satellite, where it is free-to-air across Europe. eNCA officially launched in the region when it was added to Sky in the UK and Ireland on 20 August 2012, although it was closed down on 31 October 2014.[4]
History
The channel's earliest signs of birth was when the newly formed e.Sat TV applied for a pay TV licence during the Pay TV Regulation period in 2007. Later in the year, they were awarded the licence along with the already operating Multichoice Africa as well as Telkom SA's media branch Telkom Media, Christian channel Walk on Water and on Digital Media. However, e.Sat TV was the first to throw in the towel and said the South African market was only big enough for two operators. They then later announced that they would instead work as a channel supplier to the already operating Multichoice DSTV platform. On 1 June 2008, the channel took to the airwaves at 19:00 for a special edition of its flagship programme News Night.[1] Over time the channel continued expanding the number of shows, presenters and format to be more appealing to more viewers.
On 19 August 2012, the eNews Channel was rebranded as eNCA (eNews Channel Africa) ahead of their launch in the UK, because they did not want to clash with existing global brands such as E! Entertainment Television and wanted a short and simple domain name as they prepared to go online.[5][6] The channel also received a new mosaic logo depicting the continent of Africa.[7]
On 1 June 2018, the channel celebrated their 10th anniversary. The channel celebrated the milestone by unveiling new studios, a new look and new line-ups on 16 July 2018.[8] The channel also introduced a new weekend lineup on 1 December 2018.
On 29 July 2019, eNCA introduced a brand new line-up.[9]
Online
eNCA.com
Launched in May 2013, eNCA.com is the extension of the eNCA brand into the online space, to allow consumers to access signature news coverage on any device. In September eNCA.com passed the milestone of half-a-million unique browsers, with 538,000 total UBs and 395,000 domestic UBs.
As of February 2017, the UBs for eNCA.com was 2.4 million, 2 million of that total was domestic.
Target market
eNCA.com has 51.67% male users and 48.33% female users; users are predominantly in the age brackets of 25–29 (14.42%), 60+ (13.93%) and 30–34 (13.86%). eNCA.com users are predominantly from Gauteng (44.6%), Western Cape (22.07) and KwaZulu-Natal (18.87%). The top three languages of eNCA.com users are English (73.69%), Afrikaans (30.16%), and IsiZulu (11.23%).
News programming
The schedule includes general news coverage with headlines and eNCA's main news shows; First Take, Live at Lunchtime and South Africa Tonight. This will often be displaced by rolling news including live reports, breaking news and business news.
First Take
Xoli Mngambi anchors First Take. The programme rounds up overnight news events, looking to the day's news agenda, and reviews the day's sports and weather. Broadcast weekdays 06:00–07:00.
The South African Morning
Xoli Mngambi is joined by Jane Dutton for The South African Morning. The programme features live crossings to reporters, interesting interviews and detailed sport & weather. Broadcasts 07:00–08:00.
The Jane Dutton Hour
Jane Dutton hosts a full hour of news, sport and weather called The Jane Dutton Hour. The programme brings all the news, while exploring interested topics with fascinating South Africans. Broadcasts 08:00–09:00.
Today
Today hosted by Dan Moyane brings the developing news, live reports from South Africa & the World, business, sport & weather. Broadcasts 09:00–11:00.
The Rundown
Anchored by Michelle Craig, The Rundown brings the developing news of the day, live coverage with in-depth field reporting, business, sport & weather. Broadcasts 11:00–13:00.
Live at Lunchtime
Anchored by eNCA Acting Editor-In-Chief, Jeremy Maggs brings you the leading news headlines with live updates from reporters in the field, business, sport & weather at Lunchtime. Broadcasts 13:00–14:00.
Upfront
Marcelle Gordon upfronts the main stories of the day with reporters, in-studio interviews, business, sport & weather. Broadcasts 14:00–16:00.
NewsHour
Anchored by Faith Mangope, NewsHour brings all the news, business, sport & weather in an hour. Broadcasts 16:00–17:00.
The Lead
The Lead anchored by Shahan Ramkisssoon, re-caps the day's stories and will give an exclusive look on business, sport and weather. Airs weekdays 17:00–18:00
South Africa Tonight
Anchored by Uveka Rangappa, South Africa Tonight re-caps the day's biggest stories and will give an exclusive look update on business, sport and weather. Airs weekdays 18:00–20:00.
Nightline
Nightline anchored by Vuyo Mvoko brings the stories that happened during the day and gives an update at the next day's news, business, sport & weather. Broadcasts 20:00–21:30.
eNCA Live
Hosted by weekend anchors, eNCA Live brings you all the developing weekend news, sport & weather. Broadcasts weekends 07:00–09:00 & 18:00–22:00.
Headlines Live
Hosted by weekend anchors, Headlines Live brings you the developing news & sport in 5 minutes. Broadcasts 5 minutes in each hour from 09:00–17:05.
News Night
Tumelo Mothototane brings you News Night. The show recaps the day's stories and will give an update on sport & weather. Broadcasts Saturdays & Sundays 17:00–19:30.
Weather
Weather reports are provided every half-hour by forecasters from eNCA's Weather Center situated in Cape Town. Former Chief Meteorologist Derek van Dam became the first broadcaster in South Africa to earn the American Meteorological Society's Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) designation, a professional recognition of the quality of his weather broadcasts.[10] All forecasts and graphics are created in house. After Van Dam left, eNCA Meteorologist, Candice McKechnie, became the new Head of the eNCA Weather Department. Other meteorologists on the channel include Joel Guy, Luis Fernandes and Afrikaans/English weather anchors Lynette van Schalkwyk, Annette Venter and most recently Anika De Beer. Weather on eNCA is live, but mostly recorded.
Current Affairs
Taking Stock
Hosted by Bruce Whitfield, Taking Stock is an in-depth interview programme that tackles issues in the business, finances and economic environments. Thursdays at 21:30.
Checkpoint
Hosted by Nkepile Mabuse, Checkpoint brings you stories that have happened over the country. Tuesdays at 21:30.
Week in Interviews
The show recaps the big interviews of the week. Weekends.
Money Matters
Maya Fisher-French gives tips on budgeting, saving and investing your money.
Nation in conversation
This show explores the many industries and follow the locally produced products from the farm gate to your kitchen table.
The Modise Network
Tim Modise invites and engages with people who are shaping South Africa and the world. Saturdays at 09:00.
Week in One
Week in One recaps the top stories of the past seven days on eNCA. Saturdays and Sundays.
#Africa
Hosted by an Tumelo Mothototane, #Africa looks at how a modern, developing Africa is innovating to meet today's challenges. Tuesdays at 21:30.
The Fix
Political analyst Karima Brown brings robust debate and honest views in this no-holds-barred topical news show. Sundays 09:00.
The PolitBureau – Joining The Dots
Every Monday at 021:30, eNCA's Political Team go beyond the spin, analyze the policy and reveal what's really at stake in the battles between personalities and ideologies.
Popular culture
A broadcast of eNCA was featured in the film Safe House. In the film, it is shown as its former name, eNews Channel.
In 2014, a documentary was released, showing how the team worked to cover coverage of Nelson Mandela's passing.
From 6–9 June, eNCA released a documentary on its channel, showing how eNCA covered the 2019 SA Elections
Notable coverage
While covering a service delivery protest at Wesselton, outside Ermelo, Mpumalanga reporter (now News Operations Manager) Jody Jacobs and cameraman Linge Ndabambi were attacked by an angry mob. Live television footage on the channel showed a group stoning a police vehicle, which sped away, and then rushing toward the cameraman and journalist, who sought cover in their satellite van. The van and equipment were damaged during the attack. Jacobs kept reporting and Ndabambi filming throughout the incident.[11]
East Africa bureau chief Robyn Kriel reported extensively on the 2011 East Africa drought.[12] In 2012 Kriel and her cameraman Orto Sori came under air bombardment while travelling with the Sudan People's Liberation Army.[13]
Also in 2012 eNCA cameras, alongside former eNCA Anchor Iman Rappetti, caught defacers as they vandalised a controversial painting of President Jacob Zuma called The Spear.[14] The channel covered the controversy over the picture from start to finish.
The 2012 Summer Olympics saw a two-man team, reporter Peter Stemmet and camera man Neil Raath covering South Africa's achievements at the games in London,[15] including interviews with country's Olympic champions Cameron van der Burgh, Chad le Clos and the gold medal-winning South African rowing team.
The Marikana miners' strike culminated in clashes with the police in which 34 miners were shot dead, more than 70 injured. A crew from eNCA captured graphic incident on camera and reported on what became one of South Africa's most violent post-apartheid clashes.[16]
Virtual reality
On 22 November 2015, eNCA published South Africa's first virtual reality news story, reported by Yusuf Omar and produced in conjunction with South African virtual reality firm, Deep VR. The 360° video debuted on eNCA's Facebook page and has received more views than any other eNCA video.
Following its success, eNCA produced a follow-up virtual reality report on the #ZumaMustFall marches in Johannesburg, which debuted on the eNCA Facebook page on 18 December 2015.
References
- Issa Sikiti da Silva (2 June 2008). "eNews 24-hour channel takes to the airwaves". Bizcommunity.com. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- "Julius Malema blasts eNCA reporters". iol.co.za. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- Kyle, Westhuizen. "ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe calls eNCA a 'Propaganda Machine'". businesstech.co.za. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- Thinus Ferreira (13 August 2012). "eNews Channel expanding to UK". Channel24. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
- Linda Loubser (17 August 2012). "eNews reveals new name and logo". Screen Africa. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
- Stuart Thomas (16 August 2012). "Domain name a big factor in eNews Channel rebrand". Memeburn. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
- Thinus Ferreira (20 August 2012). "eNews launches 'daunting' eNCA". Channel24. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
- "TV with Thinus: eNCA updates its on-air look with a rebuild studio and video wall, adjusted timeslots and a Jane Dutton talk show". TV with Thinus. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
- "eNCA announces line-up changes - appoints key editors". themediaonline.co.za. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- "eNews' Derek Van Dam earns American Meteorological Society's". Media Update. 9 September 2008. Archived from the original on 20 June 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- "ENews team moved to safety". News24. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- Robyn Kriel (7 August 2011). "Somalia's famine: A journalist's personal story of anguish and despair". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- "SA citizens under fire in hot spots". Cape Argus. 1 May 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- "eNews scoops Spear defacing". TVSA. 22 May 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- Gill Moodie (17 June 2012). "Broadcasters prepare for lukewarm demand for Olympic coverage". Journalism.co.za. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- "South African police gun down striking miners". The Daily Telegraph. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.