Over P23m boost for local production houses
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday March 23, 2026 06:00
This comes as the Ministry of Sport and Arts moves to significantly broaden the channel’s footprint and enhance its reach to Batswana audiences across multiple platforms.
Presenting the ministry's budget proposal for the financial year 2025/26 before the Committee of Supply in Parliament, Minister Jacob Kelebeng said the initiatives are intended to directly foster local talent, enhance the national narrative and create sustainable employment opportunities for youth within the creative sector.
'A total of 34 companies have been recommended for an award to license 369 episodes across seven diverse genres. The total cost for this activity is P23,831,654, which is earmarked for the 2025/26 Financial Year,' said Kelebeng.
'Currently the NOW! Channel is accessed by 3,102 registered channel users in 84 selected WI-FI Public hotspots and users from 53 countries. Our Ministry plans to expand accessibility of the channel by relaunching it on the Digital Terrestrial Transmission (DTT) and satellite platforms through local and regional carriers,' he added.
He said his Ministry, therefore, endeavours to increase access to 10, 000 more viewers after the incorporation of new content. Officials in the ministry have in the past expressed worry over the decreasing budget for content acquisition for the channel. The online channel established under the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture aims to promote and showcase local talent and grow the local film and television industry.
On the other hand, Kelebeng said the creative Industry sector continues to face several challenges, including limited access to sustainable financing and investment; inadequate technical and business skills; weak market access and limited export readiness; insufficient infrastructure and production facilities; gaps in policy coordination, data and regulation. These challenges, he said, constrain the sector’s ability to scale up operations, compete effectively and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the economy.
However, he said the government has also put in measures in place to address the challenges. He said they have established the National Creative Industry Expansion Programme, which forms part of the P200m allocation designed as a comprehensive national intervention to stimulate growth across the entire creative economy. This includes sectors such as film and television production, music and performing arts, visual arts and design, cultural heritage enterprises, digital and multimedia content creation, creative entrepreneurship and cultural tourism.
'The Ministry is currently following the established government financial procedures to access the funds allocated for this Programme. Upon completion of this process, the Ministry will issue a national Call for Expressions of Interest to stakeholders across the various Sectors of the creative economy. Given the prevailing economic conditions and the need to ensure responsible utilisation of public resources, the Programme will be implemented in a phased approach rather than as a single large rollout. This phased approach will allow the government to prioritise high-impact projects, monitor outcomes and refine implementation and ensure sustainable use of the allocated resources,' he added.