DODOMA : Tanzania’s broadcasting sector is experiencing remarkable growth with Dar es Salaam trailing other cities with over 1.2 million digital receivers thanks to the expansion of electronic content services in the Eastern African country.
According to the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) latest report, Dar es Salaam is being followed by Arusha with 275,449 digital receivers, Mwanza (262,380) and Mbeya (208,924).
As of June 2023, the regulators’ reports states, there is impressive surge in registered broadcasting entities, including 66 television stations, 272 online TVs, 81 cable TVs, 225 radios and eight online radios.
It cites Songwe as a region with the fewest digital television receivers which amount to only 1,357.
The TCRA’s dossier also reads that as of June 2023, there were a total of 3,342,626 digital television receivers, compared to 3,169,231 in July 2022.
Out of these, 1,700,205 were digital terrestrial television (DTT) receivers and 1,642,421 were satellite TV receivers.
It reveals that cable television services have also witnessed a steady rise, with the number of subscribers growing from 16,786 in 2018 to 19,671 in June 2023.
The Lake Zone regions have embraced cable TV services, with Shinyanga leading the way with 2,803 subscribers, followed by Mwanza with 2,195, and Kagera with 1,770 subscribers.
Conversely, Kilimanjaro (130), Morogoro (120), and Pwani (30) have relatively lower numbers of cable TV subscribers.
Commenting on the positive trend of the broadcasting sector in the country, TCRA Director General told reporters in Dodoma recently that as of June, 2023, the regulator has provided an opportunity for 30 service providers to establish radio broadcasting stations in various regions.
“TCRA has been instrumental in promoting the broadcasting industry’s growth by allocating Radio Frequency Spectrum Resources in 21 regions across the country during the just-ended Fiscal Year,” revealed TCRA’s DG Dr Jabiri Bakari when explaining the communication sector’s performance.
According to TCRA boss, the move has played a significant role in fostering community development by providing education, information and entertainment.
Director-General Jabiri emphasized that TCRA’s responsibility extends beyond enabling broadcasting services.
“TCRA’s efforts in promoting local content have been evident in the creation of fourteen national licensed stations that focus on producing programs dedicated to family and youth education,” emphasized Jabiri.
