ZBC TV
ZBC TV is Zimbabwe's state-owned, free-to-air public television network.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
ZBC TV, also known as ZTV or Zimbabwe Television, is Zimbabwe's public free-to-air television network and the principal television service of the state-owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. The service operates within Zimbabwe's national broadcasting system and combines news, current affairs, locally produced entertainment, imported programmes, educational material, children's programming and televised sport. Television broadcasting in the territory began on 15 November 1960, when Rhodesian Television launched service in Salisbury, now Harare. This made the territory an early television market in sub-Saharan Africa. Coverage expanded to Bulawayo in June 1961, although the service was initially concentrated in major urban areas and was widely criticized for serving white audiences disproportionately. Rhodesian Television was brought under government control in 1976 and became part of the Rhodesian Broadcasting Corporation. Following Zimbabwe's independence on 18 April 1980, the television service was renamed ZBC TV and the national broadcaster became the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. The network moved from black-and-white broadcasting to PAL colour transmission in 1982. Its identity has periodically been presented as ZTV, particularly during the 2000s, but ZBC TV remains the principal brand associated with the corporation's television output. ZBC TV has historically been the country's dominant television broadcaster. Its schedule includes the daily News Hour, the Shona-language Nhau bulletin, the Ndebele-language Indaba bulletin, Good Morning Zimbabwe and Lunch Time News. Entertainment and cultural programming has included music, gospel, current-affairs, comedy and drama formats. Locally recognized productions listed in reference material include Studio 263, Ezomgido, Mukadota, Stitsha, Tiriparwendo, Gringo and Timmy naBonzo. The network has also carried international series and a large catalogue of imported animated and children's programmes. The broadcaster has operated or supported additional television services. A second channel, TV2, began in Harare in 1986. Its frequencies were later leased to Joy TV, a private commercial service that launched in 1997 and was subsequently closed in 2002 after ZBC declined to renew its licence. ZBC announced a possible return of Joy TV in 2018. Channel 2 launched in 2010 but was later closed. On 27 April 2022, ZBC launched Jive TV as a new second channel. For decades, ZBC TV operated in an effectively monopolistic television environment. That position changed in November 2020, when the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe licensed six private free-to-air television operators, including services trading as Ke Yona TV, ZTN, NRTV, 3K TV, Kumba TV and Channel D. The development created a more competitive national television market, although ZBC TV continued to function as the state broadcaster's principal television service. ZBC TV's public role has also made it politically important. Opposition parties, independent media organizations, nongovernmental organizations and international media monitors have accused the broadcaster of favoring the governing ZANU-PF in its news coverage, particularly after the emergence of the MDC in the late 1990s. The network has additionally faced criticism over technical quality, management, financial constraints and difficulty securing popular premium sports rights. Its stated or reported programming model emphasizes local production, with reference material describing a 75 percent local-content requirement or share, alongside regional and international acquisitions.
History
Zimbabwe's television history began before the creation of the modern Zimbabwean state. Rhodesian Television, commonly abbreviated RTV, started broadcasting on 15 November 1960 from Salisbury, now Harare. The launch placed the territory among the earliest television markets in sub-Saharan Africa. Service reached Bulawayo in June 1961. Early access was geographically limited and socially unequal, with television concentrated in major cities and directed largely toward the white population. In 1976 the Rhodesian government took control of RTV and incorporated it into the Rhodesian Broadcasting Corporation. The institutional structure changed after independence on 18 April 1980. RTV became ZBC TV, while the broader state broadcaster became the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. The service adopted colour broadcasting in 1982 using the PAL B system, marking a significant technical transition from its earlier black-and-white operation. ZBC TV expanded its channel structure over time. ZBC introduced TV2 in Harare in 1986. In 1997, the corporation agreed to make the second-channel frequencies available to Flame Lily Broadcasting, whose Joy TV service began on 22 July of that year. Joy TV initially operated during scheduled hours and its reach later extended from Harare to Bulawayo. The service temporarily stopped broadcasting in September 1998 over an alleged failure to pay airtime fees, resumed after ministerial intervention, and eventually closed on 31 May 2002 when its licence was not renewed. The corporation announced a proposed National Television, or NTV, service in 2004. The project was associated with information minister Jonathan Moyo and was expected to broadcast from Montrose Studios in Bulawayo. Although a transmitter had reportedly been installed, the channel did not launch. A later promise to revive the project after Moyo returned to the information ministry in 2015 also did not produce a functioning service. ZBC launched another service known as Channel 2 on 1 May 2010, transmitting in the Harare area, but that channel was closed in 2015. In December 2018 the corporation announced plans connected with the return of Joy TV, while on 27 April 2022 it launched Jive TV as a new second channel. The network's news and public-affairs role has been politically contested. After the MDC emerged as a major opposition party in the late 1990s, opposition supporters, independent media organizations, nongovernmental organizations and international media monitors accused ZBC of favoring ZANU-PF in its reporting. These criticisms formed part of broader debates about media pluralism, state broadcasting and access to competing political viewpoints in Zimbabwe. ZBC TV has traditionally carried a mixture of locally produced and acquired material. Its output includes English, Shona and Ndebele news, cultural and music programmes, drama, comedy, religious programming, children's shows, documentaries and sport. Studio 263 is described in reference material as Zimbabwe's first soap opera, while programmes such as Ezomgido and several older comedy and cultural shows have contributed to the network's local identity. The network has also aired international programmes from South Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, South Korea and other markets. On 20 November 2020, the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe granted six private operators national free-to-air commercial television licences. The decision ended ZBC TV's long-standing monopoly and introduced services including Ke Yona TV, ZTN, NRTV, 3K TV, Kumba TV and Channel D. ZBC nevertheless remained the country's state-owned public television service. Reference material also describes continuing operational difficulties, including constrained finances, criticism of management, weak technical standards and challenges in obtaining major domestic and international sports rights. These pressures have increased competition from satellite, streaming and other foreign content distributors.
- 2022
Jive TV launches
[1]ZBC launches Jive TV as a new second television channel on 27 April.
- 2020
National television market opens to private operators
[1]Zimbabwe grants six private operators national free-to-air commercial television licences.
- 2010
Channel 2 launches
[1]ZBC reports the launch of Channel 2 on 1 May for the Harare area.
- 2002
Joy TV closes
[1]Joy TV ceases operations on 31 May after ZBC declines to renew its licence.
- 1997
Joy TV begins using TV2 frequencies
[1]Flame Lily Broadcasting launches Joy TV on 22 July after securing use of the second-channel frequencies.
- 1986
TV2 launches
[1]ZBC starts a second television channel serving Harare.
- 1982
Colour broadcasting introduced
[1]The network upgrades from black-and-white transmission to PAL B colour broadcasting.
- 1980
Service becomes ZBC TV
[1]Following Zimbabwean independence, RTV is renamed ZBC TV and the national broadcaster becomes ZBC.
- 1976
RTV enters state broadcasting structure
[1]The government takes over Rhodesian Television and places it within the Rhodesian Broadcasting Corporation.
- 1961
Coverage reaches Bulawayo
[1]Television service expands to Bulawayo in June.
Products and positioning
A national public-service and state broadcasting television network combining Zimbabwean news, culture and locally produced programming with acquired international entertainment and sports content.
Public free-to-air television network · 1980
ZBC TV
The principal television service of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. It provides national news, current affairs, local entertainment, cultural programming, acquired series, children's content, documentaries and selected live sports. Its schedule is built around Zimbabwean production and multilingual news output, particularly in English, Shona and Ndebele.
Second television channel · 2022
Jive TV
A second ZBC television service launched in 2022. It followed earlier second-channel initiatives including TV2 and Channel 2 and represented an expansion of the corporation's television offering beyond the main ZBC TV schedule.
Second television channel · 1986
TV2
ZBC's first identified second television channel, introduced in Harare in 1986. Its frequencies were later used by Joy TV and other arrangements before the service ceased to operate as the original TV2.
Television channel · 2010
Channel 2
A ZBC channel announced as successfully launched on 1 May 2010, with transmission focused on the Harare area. It was later closed in 2015.
Controversies
1990
Allegations of politically biased news coverage
From the late 1990s onward, opposition supporters, independent media organizations, nongovernmental organizations and international media monitors accused ZBC of presenting news in a manner favorable to the governing ZANU-PF, particularly after the emergence of the MDC. The allegations concern the network's role as a state broadcaster and its coverage of political competition.
Brand decisions
2022
Launch of Jive TVProduct launchBackground
After earlier second-channel projects, ZBC sought to broaden its television portfolio.
Action taken
The corporation launched Jive TV on 27 April 2022.
Aftermath
Jive TV became the corporation's newer second-channel initiative as Zimbabwe's television market became more pluralistic.
2010
Launch of Channel 2Product launchBackground
ZBC pursued an additional television outlet for the Harare area.
Action taken
Channel 2 began transmission on 1 May 2010.
Aftermath
The channel was later closed in 2015.
2004
Proposed National Television serviceProduct launchBackground
The government and ZBC announced plans for a new service associated with information minister Jonathan Moyo and studios in Bulawayo.
Action taken
ZBC announced NTV, also called National Television, but did not bring the project into regular operation.
Aftermath
The project collapsed after the minister's dismissal, and a later proposal to revive it did not result in a launch.
1986
Launch of TV2Product launchBackground
ZBC sought to expand its television offering beyond the main service, initially in the Harare market.
Action taken
The corporation introduced TV2 as a second television channel.
Aftermath
The channel's frequencies were later used in arrangements involving Joy TV and other services.
Sources2 sources
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