South Africa’s newest 24-hour children’s channel will be firing up the fun at the Prison Break Market in Johannesburg on Saturday, when Play Room, the new home of children’s education and entertainment on DStv channel 300, hosts a fantasy launch event featuring the world’s youngest DJ, DJ Arch Jnr and musicians Pabi Cooper and Focalistic.
Guests including A-listers of the teen-scene, kid-influencers, media and TV personalities will be treated to a fun factory hosted by “fun scientist”, entertainer, dancer and musician Robot Boii. They can look forward to an experience packed with moments of magic, music and discovery at the event, inspired by the simple joy of child’s play.
Play Room goes live at 3pm on 6 November, kicking off with the channel’s flagship show, Play Room Live! – a multilingual live studio show which brings a fresh cohort of youthful talent to the screen. Presenters include Thando Madondo, Thato Benani, Paballo Koza, Shudu Mathagwa, Kgaohelo Moloi, Ipeleng Malepe and sign-language interpreter Kanya Msweli making their debuts.
Play Room will combine education and entertainment in a uniquely local package carrying original South African and popular international content, including favourite animated titles dubbed into isiZulu, such as Cocomelon and Akili and Me.
“Play Room will be a safe, curated space where kids will feel free to be who they are and express themselves to the fullest, giving parents and guardians the assurance that their young minds are feasting on wholesome educational and entertainment content in a variety of languages they can relate to,” said Thabile Ngwato, CEO of Ngwato Nkosi Group which owns the channel.
“At MultiChoice, our unwavering commitment lies in curating diverse content that deeply connects with our audiences,” says Georginah Machiridza, Executive Head of General Entertainment Channels at MultiChoice Group. “With the introduction of Play Room, we are not only infusing a breath of fresh, youthful energy into our screens but also welcoming a wave of new and exciting talent. As Multichoice, we are thrilled by the prospect of what’s to come and congratulate the Play Room Team on creating a proposition that while targeted at the young ones, will also connect with the broader family.”
Morning programming will focus on educational material for 4-6-year-olds, including interactive shows that encourage physical movement, as well as values-based and creative content designed to stretch children’s imaginations.
The afternoon live show will combine the world of television and social media to create an interactive, always-on world of fun and entertainment for tweens and teens.
