Tag Archives: Big Brother Naija

BBNaija S7 housemates set for reunion

A live reunion show featuring contestants from the seventh season of Big Brother Naija, the Nigerian version of the global hit reality format, is set to air next week.

Big Brother Naija S7 aired on MultiChoice-owned channel Africa Magic last year. From 25 participants, Ijeoma Josephina Otabor (aka Phyna) eventually emerged as the winner.

The reunion show, like Big Brother Naija since 2017, will be hosted by Nigerian media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu. It will feature some of the housemates from the last season and also revisit some of its highlights and memorable moments..

The reunion will be the perfect opportunity for the former housemates to clear the air and express their real feelings towards each other, according to the producers. The BBNaija reunion show, titled Level Up, comes ahead of the eight season of the full show.

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MultiChoice reaches 22.1m households

MultiChoice Group achieved solid subscriber growth and steady earnings for the half-year ended September 30, according to the African entertainment company.

Calvo Mawela

The group’s linear pay TV subscriber base (measured on a 90-day active basis) increased by one million (5%) to 22.1 million households, comprising 9.1 million (41%) in South Africa and 13 million (59%) in the rest of Africa (RoA).

The year-on-year (YoY) growth rate for paying subscribers on the company’s streamer Showmax was 50%, while the overall online user base increased by 13%. Actual subs numbers for Showmax were not disclosed.

RoA maintained its growth trajectory on the back of successful local content productions, MultiChoice said. In South Africa, growth rates recovered during the second half of the reporting period despite evidence of rising consumer pressure.

In terms of the local content strategy, the company launched two more local channels in sub-Saharan Africa and produced another 3,084 hours of local content, an increase of 15% YoY. Accounting for 48% of total general entertainment spend, this ongoing investment in local content brought the total content library to around 73,000 hours.

In Nigeria, a new season of Big Brother Naija delivered record viewership, as well as strong growth in advertising revenues. In South Africa, the group produced two coproductions – Blood Psalms and Girl, Taken – with another seven coproductions in the pipeline.

Reyka, an original coproduction from South Africa, was nominated for the Drama Series prize at the International Emmy Awards 2022.

The group is currently producing the epic original drama series Shaka Ilembe, which will be broadcast during 2023 and is already receiving significant international interest. It also continues to roll out adaptations of popular telenovelas in different regions, such as 1Magic’s The River, which has been successfully adapted as Kina in Kenya and O Rio in Angola.

Showmax further localised its business with more local content such as Real Housewives of Lagos, Troukoors S2, Uthando Lodumo S2, Diiche and Steinheist.

In terms of financials, MultiChoice Group revenue was up ZAR1.8bn (US$104m) to ZAR28.6bn, and trading profit amounted to ZAR6.1bn – up 6% despite a ZAR700m investment in new decoders ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

“After a slower-than-usual start to the year, with global fuel and food price shocks negatively impacting consumer sentiment, our business regained momentum due to our engaging local content slate and strong local capabilities,” said Calvo Mawela, CEO of MultiChoice Group.

“Despite the challenging macro-economic environment, we are well positioned given our exciting content slate. In the second half of the financial year, a core focus will be the broadcasting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and producing more local content that resonates with our customers. Going forward, we will look for more opportunities to grow beyond pay television.”

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Phyna wins Big Brother Naija

Ijeoma Josephina Otabor – popularly known as Phyna – has won season seven of reality show Big Brother Naija.

Phyna

This year’s edition, tagged Level Up, began with 12 contestants. Across 72 days in the Big Brother House, they competed with each other in various tasks and attempted to avoid being evicted.

As the winning contestant, Phyna will receive N50m (US$115,281) in cash plus N50m worth of prizes from the show’s sponsors.

She wrote on Instagram: “Who dey! We won brooo! Wheww!! Where do I start from? This doesn’t feel real. Thank you God for this moment, thank you to my parents for everything you gave me, I hope I made you proud, that’s all I ever wanted to do.

“Thank you to my manager, Dami Adenuga, for believing in me and working overtime for me and thank you to the team behind the scenes that made the most of what was available. I’m overwhelmed with a lot of emotions but thank you all so much.

“Thank you to all my beautiful fans, thank you everyone who saw me and believed in me to make me win. Thank you to everyone who did everything to vote for me, I’m so grateful. I was inside and I didn’t know anything but you fought for me, you had my back when I thought I had nobody but myself, you gave me a chance when I was so unsure if I’ll be saved or even loved.

“Thank you so much. My Phynation warriors, I won thanks to you. I will forever be grateful, I will forever love you all and I will forever make you proud. It’s only the beginning, I hope you’re ready for me!”

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BBNaija S7 online auditions begin

Reality TV show Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) has begun online auditions for its seventh season.

Nigerian men and women aged over 21 year on July 1 need to record a two-minute video of themselves stating why they should be picked to be part of the show. The videos can be uploaded here. Applications close on May 30.

John Ugbe, CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria, said: “We are set to make history once again with the seventh season of a show that is widely regarded as Africa’s biggest entertainment showcase and a major socio-economic driver in Nigeria. This season promises to top previous seasons in terms of production values, entertainment content, and economic impact.

“The BBNaija reality show remains one of our core investments in bringing quality TV entertainment to millions of our subscribers across the continent on our DStv and GOtv platforms and beyond through our online streaming service, Showmax. We are ramping up efforts to deliver another BBNaija experience to our customers, partner brands and fans of the show.”

The headline sponsor for BBNaija S7 is Abeg while the associate sponsor is Flutterwave.

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Whitemoney wins BBNaija S6

Hazel Oyeye Onou, popularly known as Whitemoney and hailing from Enugu State in Nigeria, was this week crowned the winner of the sixth edition of reality show Big Brother Naija (BBNaija).

Whitemoney

The show, taglined Shine Ya Eye, started airing on MultiChoice platforms DStv and GOtv in July with 22 housemates who lived together in isolation for 71 days, as per the format of the globe-trotting Dutch reality show distributed by Banijay Rights.

The housemates perform various tasks and are evicted weekly until one is left. Whitemoney won the N90m (US$219,000) grand prize while Liquorose emerged as the first runner-up and Pere as the second runner-up.

Celebrating his win on Instagram, Whitemoney said: “It’s your boy Whitemoney. Street boy has made it to the top. Street boy has won the show Shine Ya Eye. Money gang I love you. I love you all.”

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Toke Makinwa to host BBNaija’s The Buzz

Award-winning Nigerian media personality Toke Makinwa will host Big Brother Naija talkshow spin-off The Buzz, which will be available exclusively on MultiChoice-owned streamer Showmax.

Toke Makinwa

In The Buzz, Makinwa will share her opinions on the happenings in the BBNaija house as the current season continues, as well as offering viewers the inside scoop behind the latest dramatic events in the reality show. The show will also feature a secret diary room rant session from the housemates.

Makinwa said: “I am unfiltered. This is almost like the unfiltered version of Big Brother where we bring you weekly highlights, so I’m looking forward to them messing up, I’m looking forward to them creating more drama because that way my show gets even more interesting.”

The Buzz will stream on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 19.00, debuting on August 3. Big BBNaija is based on the globe-trotting Dutch format Big Brother, which became a global sensation when it launched over 20 years ago.

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BBNaija S6 premieres this weekend

The sixth season of reality show Big Brother Naija (aka BBNaija) will kick off this weekend with episodes on both Saturday and Sunday night.

The 10-week show is Nigeria’s adaptation of the 22-year-old Dutch format distributed by global production powerhouse Banijay. It features a group of strangers living together in isolation from the outside world, with housemates being evicted until the last one standing claims N90million (US$220,000) worth of prizes.

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu will return to host the series, which airs on MultiChoice-owned channel Africa Magic.

John Ugbe, CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria, said: “With each season of BBNaija, we task ourselves with delivering great content that will take the excitement a notch higher and meet the entertainment needs of our customers. For this sixth season, we are pulling out all the stops to give our customers a show like never seen before from Nigeria, with end-to-end production best practices under global health and safety standards.”

It will air from 19.00 on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 29, with a simulcast on Africa Magic Showcase, Africa Magic Urban and Africa Magic Family.

According to MultiChoice, BBNaija fans in the UK will also have access to the live, 24/7 show via African online streaming service Showmax. There will be no SMS voting in this season’s show; voting will take place only via the web and the MyDStv and MYGOtv mobile apps.

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BBNaija’s Erica kicks off Inside Life

Former Big Brother Naija housemate Erica Nlewedim has become the first person to feature in new MTV Base reality show Inside Life.

Erica Nlewedim

Inside Life With Erica follows Nlewedim as she navigates the worlds of business and entertainment.

In a teaser for the show, Nlewedim said: “This is not a game I choose to forsake, this is my life and this is me in my purest form. You see as time passes, I’ve learnt to decipher between reality and mirage. Behind my smiles and the fame is the girl who is tender, guarded and strong. I wear my crown boldly and without fear, like the star that I am.”

Sharing the announcement on Instagram, she added: “Are you ready to see inside my life? Happy to be announcing that your Stargirl will be the first celebrity to be featured on MTV Base’s Inside Life.”

The first episode premiered this week on MTV Base (DStv channel 322, GOtv channel 72).

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UK cop under fire for BBNaija appearance

Khafi Kareem has appeared in recruitment campaigns for the Met police in London

Nigerian-born British police officer Khafi Kareem is being investigated for taking part in Nigerian reality TV show Big Brother Naija without permission.

According to the Metropolitan Police in London, Kareem was granted unpaid leave for an unrelated reason but was not granted permission to be on the show.

It said in a statement: “The Met is aware that the officer has since appeared on the show without authority. The Met does not support the officer’s appearance nor does she represent the Met whilst appearing on the show.”

Kareem is now the subject of an inquiry by the force’s Directorate of Professional Standards. “Any officer found to have breached police standards of professional behaviour could face misconduct proceedings,” the force added.

Her romantic relationship with fellow contestant Ekpata Gedoni in the Big Brother house has raised eyebrows.

Television channel Africa Magic said: “Police officer Khafi Kareem believes that you can have it all if you believe in yourself.

“She is not only hoping to win the prize money but she wants the exposure that being in Big Brother Naija House brings so that she can do societal good.

“What people don’t know about her is that she is secretly talented in spoken word, singing and dancing. She is an Ekiti native who resides in London.”

Kareem has previously appeared as a poster girl for the Met alongside commissioner Cressida Dick to encourage black and female recruitment and celebrate 100 years of women in the force.

A Met source said: “She’s a serving British police officer – it’s outrageous. She asked permission to go on the show but, when her request was refused, she went anyway. Her out-of-office email reply blatantly says that she is away from work, yet no one does anything.

“Other officers working with her are furious that she can just disobey orders then swan off Africa and tarnish the reputation of the force.”

Kareem started as a PC in the London borough of Lambeth in 2015 after four years as a part-time special constable.

Another Met spokesman said: “All officers have a duty to behave with professionalism and in a manner that does not bring the Met into disrepute whether on or off duty.”

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New housemates for BBNaija

Venita Akpofur

Two more housemates have been added to the current season of reality show Big Brother Naija: Pepper Dem.

Former ‘video vixen’ – a model known for appearing in hip-hop music videos – and mother-of-two Venita Akpofure and actor/comedian Elozonam have entered the BBNaija house.

Of the 21 contestants that initially entered the house, seven have been evicted thus far.

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Glam serves up Oputa on ABN TV

Uriel Oputa fronts Glam Africa Kitchen

Former Big Brother Naija housemate Uriel Oputa will feature in a new TV cooking show created by Glam Africa Magazine.

Glam Africa Kitchen launched recently in London, attended by celebrities and influencers.

The aim of the show is to educate busy millennials on easy but hearty recipes taught by celebrity foodies and chefs and it will air on Afro-Caribbean family entertainment channel ABN TV (Sky Channel 456) in the UK.

Oputa will feature in the first episodes of the show preparing delicious but quick meals.

Glam Africa is a quarterly print magazine distributed in the UK, Ghana, South Africa and Nigeria. Glam Africa Kitchen is among Glam Africa’s slate of shortform shows airing on ABN TV.

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Linda Ikeji TV unveils upcoming reality

Linda Ikeji TV (LITV) has unveiled teasers to three new reality TV shows in the works as it aims to make good on its promise of offering more content.

Bally

New reality series Mushin, which looks at everyday ghetto life, is set to air soon on LITV. Similar to Ajegunle with Love, it gives an insight into the lifestyle of the inhabitants of Mushin, “one of the roughest part of Lagos.”

Also in the line-up is light-hearted series Hottest Bachelor in Nigeria, an unscripted show featuring former Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) star Bally.

He will feature alongside 25 single women and is expected to propose to his favoured candidate. Bally claimed that after his five-year relationship came to an abrupt end following BBNaija, he is seeking a lasting relationship that will lead to marriage.

Those interested in taking part in the show are encouraged to send a one-minute video explaining why they should be selected.

LITV is also set to begin broadcasting a new documentary series, I Am Agoro, which will focus on the life experiences of Nigeria’s tallest man, Afeez Agoro.

LITV launched its video streaming service in June and is seeking reality TV stars and content creators.

It currently has more than 40 programmes and plans to add more before the year ends. Its exclusive shows include Oyinbo Wives of Lagos, King Tonto and Ajegunle With Love.

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Muslim group demands BBNaija ban

A Nigerian Muslim group has urged president Muhammadu Buhari to ban reality show Big Brother Naija, which is currently in its fourth season.

Ishaq Akintola

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has sent a petition to the president outlining its concerns over the show, which it believes is “immoral” and attempts to lure young people to seek wealth through nefarious means.

“We are being forcibly dragged to a world of nudity, shamelessness and open promiscuity,” says MURIC’s petition. “Inmates of BBNaija kiss, romance and engage in sex openly. BBNaija is bohemian, antisocial, crude and immoral. It constitutes a potent danger to every home. BBNaija is satanic. It is unacceptable.

“Where are our norms and values? Is it part of African culture to engage in sex in the open? Where are the authorities? Is the Ministry of Information and Culture sleeping? Is the National Orientation Agency on sabbatical? Who will protect our children from this despicable onslaught? Who did this to Nigeria?”

MURIC director Ishaq Akintola also pleaded with traditional rulers, the Ministry of Information and Culture, the National Orientation Agency, and Christians and Muslims alike to work together to get BBNaija off air.

MURIC describes itself as a human rights organisation that condemns terrorism and all acts of violence. It also promotes and protects the rights of Muslims.

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BBNaija online audition finalists revealed

The producers of Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) have selected 10 finalists from online auditions, with viewers having the final say on who becomes a housemate in the reality show’s fourth season.

The finalists are 32-year-old Charles, Emeka (33), Nkeiru (23), Precious (23), Onyeka(24), Moshood (26), Todum (32), Ifeanyi (23), Oluwasegun (30) and Samson (25).

Viewers will now get the chance to decide which hopeful enters the BBNaija house. MultiChoice, the pay TV company behind the show, said: “Big Brother is giving you, the viewer, the power to select one more housemate to go into the Big Brother house this season. These personalities bring you the choice of more drama, action, love, laughter or entertainment.

“All you have to do is vote for the personality you will like to see in the house, daily, from March 21 to 31 2019. Remember, you must be an active DStv/GOtv subscriber to cast valid votes.”

The start date for the show has not yet been announced.

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BBNaija to begin online auditions

Online auditions are underway to find the final housemate for the forthcoming fourth season of reality show Big Brother Naija (BBN).

The show’s producers are looking for Nigerians aged at least 21 and with a valid international passport. Candidates must also be subscribers to pay TV platforms DStv or GOtv. Auditions require them to submit a two-minute video of themselves explaining why they should be selected.

Live auditions have already been conducted across eight different states in Nigeria.

John Ugbe, CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria, said: “We are giving more Nigerians one more chance to be a part of the biggest reality TV show on the continent by introducing an additional online audition process.

“We’ve seen how much the show continues to resonate with Nigerians and it’s our desire to create more success stories from the BBNaija platform.

“We are excited about this new twist and ask that more Nigerians take advantage of this novel opportunity to actualise their dreams of getting into the BBNaija house.”

Big Brother Naija 2019 is sponsored by online betting platform Bet9ja. It is based on the Big Brother reality format owned by Endemol Shine Group.

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LindaIkeji TV auditions for reality show

Webcaster LindaIkeji TV (LITV) is seeking eligible single women to participate in the first season of its new reality show Hottest Bachelor Nigeria later this year.

Bally

Former Big Brother Naija housemate Bobai Bally Balat, aka Bally, will be the bachelor looking to select a wife. “I am looking for not just love but a special woman I can share the rest of my life with,” he said.

Twenty-five lucky ladies who are looking for love and possibly a life partner will compete with the hope of winning the heart of the hottest bachelor. Auditions are in progress and take place at the LITV offices in Lekki, Lagos.

Although the start date of the show has not yet been officially announced, it will start airing in 2018. LITV has more than 40 programmes and exclusive shows, including Gidi Girls, Oyinbo Wives of Lagos and Highway Girls of Eko.

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AMVCA winners unveiled

The sixth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) was hosted on Saturday evening at the Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos.

Media personalities and movie stars from across the continent were present at the ceremony, dressed up and ready to have some fun.

The AMVCAs had some 120 nominations in 27 categories. These included Best Short Film/Online Video, Best Movie East Africa, Best Overall Movie and Best Television Series. Other special awards were the Trailblazer Award and Industry Merit Award.

The Best Television Series award was taken by This Is It, beating four other nominees that included Gina & Friends, Professor Johnbull, Papa Ajasco Reloaded and Relatives.

Meanwhile, the winner of the best documentary award was Dennis Wanjohi for his film The Flesh Business. Other nominees were Nightfall in Lagos (James Amuta), God’s Wives (Bolanle Olukanni), Styles Defunct by Ayaworanho3d (Aderemi Davies) and Calabar Carnival: What the People Think (Oghenefego Ofili).

Actress and former Big Brother Naija housemate Bisola Aiyeola also won the AMVCA Trailblazer Award, not to mention a car from pay TV group MultiChoice, for her role in the industry.

Renowned filmmaker and producer Tunde Kelani (Arugba, Life in Slow Motion, Dazzling Mirage) was honoured with the Industry Merit Award.

The AMVCAs had its inaugural edition in 2013 and has gone on to become the biggest annual award ceremony celebrating professionals in the film and TV industry in Africa.

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Total BBNaija prizes upped to N60m

Reality TV show Big Brother Naija, which starts its fourth season on June 30, has revealed the winner of this year’s show will receive a N30m cash prize and a total prize worth N60m.

This is an increase on last year’s show when winner Miracle Ikechukwu Igbokwetook home N45m worth of prizes.

John Ugbe, CEO of the show’s broadcaster, MultiChoice, said: “Each edition of Big Brother Naija significantly improves on all aspects of the previous season and this year is no different.

“The winner of season four will walk away from the house with a N30m cash prize and a top-of-the-range SUV, amongst many other exciting prizes.

“The Big Brother Naija winner will also emerge as the most popular and marketable personality on the continent, as the show is known to launch prominent careers in arts, entertainment and other supporting industries.”

In addition, the winner will win a trip to Dubai, a home makeover, a year’s supply of Pepsi and One Africa Fest VIP experience, a year’s supply of Indomie noodles and Munch it, a new Oppo smartphone and also a bonus prize of two VIP tickets to a European football final, courtesy of BET9ja

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Big Brother Naija theme revealed

The producers of Big Brother Naija have revealed the theme for the reality show’s upcoming fourth season.

The programme’s new run has been given the tagline ‘Forget Wahala,’ as revealed on the show’s Instagram page. The slogan refers to the title of the previous edition of Big Brother Naija, Double Wahala.

The team behind the show also claim season four  will be “the biggest version of BBNaija” yet.

Filmed in Nigeria, Big Brother Naija is sponsored by Bet9ja and will be hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu for the third season in a row. Its launch date has yet to be revealed.

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BBNaija’s Rico gets marching orders

Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) Double Wahala housemate Rico Swavey has been evicted, leaving seven contestants in the reality show.

Rico Swavey

After a fight with fellow contestant Alex on Saturday, it was announced in the Sunday live eviction show that Rico had the fewest public votes.

He did not leave the show empty handed, however, because he had already won the Duo Clip Nokia challenge, alongside Tobi, receiving prize money of one million naira, a Nokia 8 Bothie phone and shopping vouchers.

Speaking about life after the show, Rico said he plans to open a restaurant and pursue a music career. “I have also come to love acting. I will be putting more energy in to achieve more,” he added.

Miracle, Cee-C, Lolu, Nina and Alex were up for eviction alongside Rico.

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