In the five years since its debut M-Net’s flagship Afro-chic, Afro-hip STUDIO 53 lifestyle series has captivated audiences across Africa, capturing the continent’s appeal and celebrating its talent, landscapes and energy. This month, STUDIO 53 evolves again, as M-Net gives the popular series a sensational new look.
Returning to DStv screens on May 24 in a brand-new, one-hour Sunday timeslot on M-Net, the refreshed STUDIO 53 will incorporate the best of its past with several dynamic new elements and three gorgeous new presenters.
Still focussed on positively profiling the events, people and places of Africa, the series will move out of its former studio, and each week one of Africa’s most breathtaking and glamourous locations will serve as the backdrop to the week’s stories.
First stop is the exotic island of Lamu, in Kenya, from where series presenter Gaetano Kagwa will introduce an eight story line-up including an insert from New York Fashion Week where African designers hit the runway for the first time ever as the likes of Oluchi, Grace Jones, Alek Wek and Face of Africa 2008 winner Kate Menson headed onto the catwalk.
In addition, episode one will see STUDIO 53 get VIP access to the latest album launch from hit-making Nigerian musician Ikechukwu who invites the team home with him as he demonstrates his lesser-known but quite delicious culinary skills.
Plus audiences can tune in for an interview with international superstar Eddy Grant whose hits Baby Come Back, I Don’t Wanna Dance and Electric Avenue have made him a global music icon. Then STUDIO 53 showcases the unique sounds of a Kenyan classic-fusion concert where two very different schools of music are merging to create an entirely new rhythm.
Joining host Gaetano Kagwa from episode 1 will be a team of six field presenters including adventurous Fareed Khimani (Kenya), charming IK Osakioduwa (Nigeria) and elegant Anita Erskine (Ghana). Fans can look out for new faces Thembi Lekwaila (Botswana), Grace Kelly Kalassa (DRC) and Ndaka Chigariro (Zimbabwe) who bring their vivacious personalities to the new series.
“It’s still STUDIO 53 but with a fresh new dimension and some innovative new changes,” says M-Net Africa Director Biola Adekanbi. “By making the series longer, we want to meet the growing demand for lifestyle programming while the Sunday time-slot taps into the dynamic of a weekend family gathering. It’s TV with style, contemporary African style and that’s what we hope our audiences will connect with.”
Having launched in 2004, to date STUDIO 53 (named in honor of the 53 countries in the African Union), has visited dozens of countries, stretching from the Cape’s southern tip of Africa to Cairo in the North. Along the way the series has stopped at destinations as varied as the ancient cities of Ethiopia and Tunisia, the stunning dunes and deserts of Namibia and Mali, the bustling heart of Nigeria’s Nollywood, the splendour of the Indian Ocean Islands and the magnificent Kenyan coastline.
Now, as STUDIO 53 embarks on a new journey and goes in search of new sights, sounds and scenes, its viewers will once again get a first-class ticket to travel their continent, without leaving their homes, to discover hidden worlds and exciting happenings, to celebrate the continent we all call home.
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