Times Media Television launches SME Zone

Times Media today officially announced the launch of its fourth television channel, SME Zone.

SME Zone joins Times Media's other channels on the DStv platform, Business Day TV, The Home Channel and Ignition.

The channel, which aims to be a self-help platform for small business owners and those looking to start a business, will air on weekends on channel 412, the same channel number as Business Day TV (and also the same way Ignition started as a weekend block before being expanded to a full channel).

The SME Zone will feature step-by-step guides on how to identify, start and grow a successful business; educational modules such asThe Small Business MBA; real-life mentoring sessions with experts; and tips and inspiration from some of SA’s top entrepreneurs.

“Nine out of 10 small businesses fail within the first 3 years,” says Semeyi Zake, creator and executive producer of the SME Zone. “That’s a terrible waste of hope, energy and resources. We aim to give entrepreneurs a fighting chance, via clear templates and business models that will greatly increase their chances of success.”

Some of the shows in the SME Zone line-up include: Jumpstart (self-help jobs you can start with R500 or less); Biz Guide 101 (a blueprint for running 25 popular businesses); Pimp my Bizz (revamping a faltering enterprise); Pitch & Polish (a nationwide search for the best ideas); and SME Funding.

“We realized there’s a hunger for business knowledge beyond the markets and corporate deals. As a channel, we are passionate about small business, realizing that this is where we can make an impact in addressing the country’s skills gap and play our role in creating employment and growing this economy,” Zake adds.

Vernon Matzopoulos, Head of Broadcast at Times Media, said: “We’re looking to help grow the next generation of business, and TV is an incredibly powerful medium of instruction to drive that. Thanks to DStv’s generosity in making the airtime available, we can now reach into 5.5 million homes – and hopefully inspire a small business revolution.”

You can find out more about the channel at its dedicated site, http://www.businessdaytv.co.za/smezone/