Bulawayo gets ZBCtv Channel 2 signal

RESIDENTS of Bulawayo have over the past week been receiving ZBCtv's Channel 2 signal as the local broadcaster does a trial run to see how far the signal can reach.

On Wednesday night just before News Hour, ZBCtv continuity presenter Alexio Gwenzi said a trial run was being done by the local broadcaster in Bulawayo.

He said those who were receiving the signal should phone ZBC and state where they were receiving the signal.

Residents have been calling Chronicle offices, reporting they were receiving the Channel 2 signal.

Some residents said they stumbled upon the signal by accident.

"I had not watched news for some time and I decided to tune in, but I had lost the channel. I then searched for the channel and I stumbled upon it and thought it was the normal ZBCtv. My wife noticed the Channel 2 insignia at the top right hand corner, much to my surprise," said a man who only identified himself as Hillary, from Nkulumane 6.

Annah Phiri from Mzilikazi said she heard that people had found the signal and asked her grandson to search for the channel.

"When my grandson searched for the channel he then found it and I do not know how he did it, but for the past four days I have been watching programmes on Channel 2," she said.

The second channel came as a relief for people outside Harare and its surrounding areas. The channel was launched two years ago and could only be accessed in Harare and 80 km radius out of it.

People outside Harare said it was about time that there was another channel because they had gone for years being sidelined.

"Channel 2 has gone for too long as reserved for people in Harare and we feel that this is very unfair and that the situation had gone for so long without any solution. If this is going to be permanent it will be a welcome development," said Mthokozisi Ndlovu of Paddonhurst.

Contacted for comment Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation public relations officer Sivukile Simango could neither confirm nor deny the development and said the local broadcaster would issue a statement next week.

"I cannot confirm or deny that this is happening, all I can say is we will issue a statement on Monday to that effect. There is something big that is in store for viewers," said Simango.

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