This archive report was first published on 17 June 2020.
Kenyan television station K24 has made a surprise move, poaching top talent from Switch TV, a rival station, amidst uncertainty over a cooperation deal with KTN.
The move comes just weeks after K24 announced plans to air KTN News bulletins under a cooperation deal, but the arrangement is said to be facing technical and operational headwinds.
Switch TV, which has been struggling with restructuring and a 50% pay cut for its employees, has seen its top talent leave, including anchor Betty Kyalo, who has already exited.
Mediamax, the parent company of K24, is offering the poached talent double their salaries, a move that is seen as a bitter pill for those who have been enduring the pay cut.
The raid on Switch TV is being seen as a sign that the KTN deal is collapsing, and K24 TV is opting to go it alone.
