Quincy Jones’ Qwest TV coming to Africa

12 jan 2023 - 16:38

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

Quincy Jones’ Qwest TV is set to launch on broadcast service DStv on 20 January.

The channel will feature unreleased interviews with African music icons such as Seun Kuti (pictured), Salif Keita and Fatoumata Diawara.

The channel will be available on DStv channel 330 in more than 40 countries across Africa. Showmax subscribers will have access to the channel via all DStv packages.

Founded in 2017 by Jones and TV and music producer Reza Ackbaraly, Qwest TV will offer African viewers high-end music content in genres such as jazz, soul, blues, hip hop, R&B, EDM and Afrobeats.

The channel features exclusive concerts, music documentaries, archive footage and unreleased interviews with music icons including Salif Keita, Seun Kuti, Fatoumata Diawara, Erykah Badu, Questlove, Gregory Porter, Marcus Miller and Kamasi Washington.

“I’m so proud to announce that Qwest TV is now available on MultiChoice, Africa’s leading entertainment network,” Jones said. “This means that my friends in South Africa and 43 more African territories will have access to great, genre-defying music, 24/7.

“From African legends proudly proclaiming their heritage to jazz, classical, electronic and amazing deep-dive music documentaries, Africa is the source of music’s heartbeat and the cradle of modern music. I’m looking forward to celebrating diverse sounds with y’all.”

Ackbaraly said: “We are elated to be part of the MultiChoice family and to launch Qwest TV to the African market. We are expanding our mission to offer high-end music to everyone. Africa is a land of traditions and music, and we’re very happy to build such a great partnership on this gorgeous continent.”

MultiChoice Group’s executive head for general entertainment channels, Georginah Machiridza, said the addition of Qwest TV to the DStv offering was based on the company’s mission to improve content for its viewers.

“What is key to us is that, while our audiences are driven by an appetite for homegrown content, we also complement it with the best in international content. To this end, we work with a selection of partners to ensure a comprehensive one-stop shop for our customers. Our partnership with Qwest TV is one we are thrilled about, and we cannot wait for our DStv customers to experience it,” she said.