No-holds-barred current affairs discussions, fashion advice, the latest music and cutting-edge comedians – the new YANGA! television channel aimed at Britain’s African diaspora has a schedule that is nothing if not diverse.
The network goes live on March 5, broadcasting a unique mix of British and West African culture through lively programmes featuring up-and-coming talent who reflect the diaspora in all its energetic variety.
It is the brainchild of Lindsey Oliver, who heads up the channel’s parent company, Africa MediaWorks, based in London’s Chiswick Park Studios.
“I was asked who I would want to be watching the channel in five years’ time. I said, ‘Everyone!’ We’re hoping it will be of interest to everybody interested in Africa,” she said.
“Our core target is the West African diaspora – first, second and third generation – but we’re hoping we’ll also attract the whole of the African diaspora.”
There will be a wealth of original commissions, including Number 6, a comedy show, the late night Turn Up, which melds West African and UK music and culture, and Noni, a magazine chat show aimed at women. Noni is presented by Juliana Olayinka, an experienced journalist of Nigerian heritage.
“I identify as an African woman even though I was born and raised in Britain. I like Loose Women and Lorraine, but sometimes there’s something missing,” said Juliana, explaining that black women were often the “last thought of” group to be featured in mainstream British shows.
Juliana Olayinka
Juliana Olayinka
Juliana will also appear on the channel’s current affairs discussion programme, JHUK (Journalists’ Hangout UK). Opinions on African issues are likely to be aired more frankly than they are on established British debate shows.
“It’s a really, really interesting show,” said Juliana. “We look at the biggest topics that come from the continent and our perspective is not necessarily the UK perspective.
“For example, with the Oxfam scandal, we talk about it in a way that probably wouldn’t be broadcast if you were speaking about it on Sky or the BBC. It’s a little bit raw. It’s brutally honest.”
Children are not forgotten on YANGA!, with the original programme Fizzi aimed at them and their parents. The show will keep the youngsters in touch with their cultural heritage through the likes of nursery rhymes in African languages.
As well as its own commissions, YANGA! will broadcast some of the best African-made programmes, among them Direct Flight, a drama centred on four flight attendants jetting between Africa and Europe. Among much else, Crazy, Lovely, Cool, a coming-of-age drama about a group of charismatic students; Before 30, following four young women in Lagos and their quest to get married before turning 30 and new Nollywood movies.
Juliana said that YANGA! will provide a mix that cannot be found in other channels. While African channels are broadcast in the UK, these are “made in Africa for Africans” and can be “far removed from my everyday life”. On the other hand, Juliana described some of the current Africa-focused UK-made channels as aimed at older generations. YANGA! should have a distinct niche.
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“YANGA! is made by people like me – born in Britain and raised here and who travel back to the continent. I don’t think there’s anything like it [on other channels] … It’s kind of demystifying the diaspora and it’s a destination channel for people like myself,” she said.
As well as targeting viewers of traditional television, YANGA! – meaning 'self-pride' and 'showing off' in West African pidgin – is looking to appeal to those used to watching programmes online, and many of its presenters first made their name through internet portals.
Lindsey came up with the idea for the channel after returning to London after a stint as Commercial Director for Continental Broadcasting Services in Lagos, Nigeria.
“I got an opportunity to take over a studio in West London. The idea grew from there – building a centre of excellence for African and particularly West African programming and media” said Lindsey, whose television credits also include working as a Commercial Director for the Qatar-based Al Jazeera English network.
Yanga! Teaser
YANGA! is launching amid significant growth in the UK’s African diaspora. In the 2001 census, fewer than half a million people in Britain identified as black African. A decade on, the census found that number had swelled to almost a million, while 2021’s survey is expected to highlight further growth.
YANGA! will broadcast from 9am to midnight and on Sky Channel 293 and online at YANGATV.com. It will also be available on YouTube at YANGA UK and its social media presence under @yanga_uk covers Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.