Accra, Aug. 7, GNA - A new free-to-air commercial television channel, e.Tv Ghana, would soon be launched in the country, a statement from Global Media Alliance Limited said on Friday. The statement said the channel, emerging from a partnership between Global Media Alliance Ghana Limited and Sabido Investment (PTY) Limited of South Africa, would bring premium television services to the Ghanaian market.

It said local programmes on the channel would include Rise and Shine (0600 hours - 0800 hours weekdays), the Big Hook (20.00 hours Mondays to Thursdays), and Prime News (20.00 hours daily). The channel would also show celebrated international series like Scandal, Rhythm City, Young and Restless, Fear Factor, WWE Wrestling and block buster movies.

It said the launch of e.tv Ghana stemmed from Sabido's success with e.tv in South Africa. E.tv South Africa was launched as the first free-to-air channel in that country in 1998. It is currently the largest English-medium channel in South Africa. The statement quoted Mr Akwasi Agyeman, Chief Executive of e.tv Ghana, as saying that the channel's programming would focus on the audience and what they want to watch. He added, "We will offer top-notch programming using the latest technology to deliver crystal clear images."

Mr Agyeman said e.tv Ghana would benefit greatly from the synergies in programming and content acquisition that e.tv South Africa brought to the table, adding that their experience in Africa had provided Ghana with the knowledge to succeed.

Mr Bronwyn Keene-Young, e.tv's Chief Operating Officer said, "e.tv is excited to be involved in this new venture and looks forward to e.tv Ghana becoming a market leader in West Africa." He said viewers would be able to read a weekly e.tv Ghana programme guide in the Sunday World newspaper, with radio stations Y FM (107.7 fm), and Happy FM (98.9 fm) also updating listeners on the channel's programmes.