Ivorian broadcaster Nouvelle Chaîne Ivoirienne (NCI) has expanded its local programming slate with the launch of ZANKA, a new drama airing daily from Monday, 12 October, within its strengthened NCI Création programming strand. The channel has positioned the strand in the 21:00 time slot, signalling its commitment to increasing locally produced content in its prime-time schedule.
In an interview on 13 October, NCI’s Director General outlined the broadcaster’s ambition to move audiovisual production beyond occasional projects towards a consistent pipeline of local programming. Additional productions are expected to be introduced progressively, further expanding the channel’s original content offering.
The initiative reflects a broader challenge facing African broadcasters, particularly in francophone markets, where sustaining daily local fiction requires continuous investment in production capacity, talent development and reliable financing. Unlike individual commissions, a daily drama schedule demands an established production pipeline capable of delivering content consistently.
NCI’s decision to place ZANKA at 21:00 also highlights the strategic importance of local fiction in prime-time programming. The broadcaster’s stated focus on developing talent and creating sustainable employment suggests an ambition to build a more permanent local production ecosystem rather than rely solely on standalone projects.
The initiative’s longer-term impact will depend on NCI’s ability to maintain the daily broadcast schedule and introduce the additional productions it has promised. For the wider African broadcasting industry, the development offers a case study in whether sustained investment in local drama can strengthen programming schedules, support creative industries and reduce reliance on acquired content.
