Both broadcast brands have become household names in the South African news and entertainment market, and both have recently extended their activities into the growing online space.

The eNCA website was launched in April 2013 and has clearly struck a chord with South African internet users, with growth far outstripping initial business plan forecasts. eNCA.com is available on the web, mobile web, and now on both the iPhone and Android app stores. In May the site attracted 508 837 domestic unique browsers and 665 852 Total unique browsers, with an average visit duration of over five minutes.

“After an encouraging first year in which our editorial product was well received, we felt it was time to take advertising sales to the next level and Habari, with its impeccable track record in monetising South African online properties, was the obvious choice of partner,” said Timothy Spira, general manager of eNCA Online.

“Over and above traditional display opportunities, we believe that our pre-roll video offering will appeal to advertisers seeking a high-impact, visual online communication channel associated with two highly respected news and entertainment brands,” says Spira.

etv.co.za was re-launched at the beginning of 2013 and has since grown rapidly, reaching 150 273 domestic unique browsers and 194 221 total unique browsers in May with the average domestic user spending about two minutes online.

“Having been part of the birth of South Africa’s first free to air TV channel, e.tv, I have always had a special connection with the brand’’, said Habari Media’s managing director Wayne Bischoff, “Habari Media’s partnership to represent etv.co.za and eNCA.com will give us the opportunity to grow these digital assets on the back of their excellent TV brands from strength to strength. We are immensely excited about this opportunity.”

Riaz Ebrahim, online sales manager, believes Habari Media’s track record as the most experienced digital media sales team made them the natural choice for e.tv and eNCA business, “Their entrenched presence in the marketplace, combined with the stable of brands they represent, make them an ideal partner to promote and grow our digital businesses,” concluded Ebrahim.