The Dexterity Group has announced it will launch its first nationwide free-to-view DTH satellite television service called Freeview Africa in February 2018.
Freeview Africa will initially feature more than 40 channels there are plans to expand this to over 200 in the coming months.
The service will include a diverse range of programming – including entertainment, sports, movies, kids, music, religion, news, ethnic, lifestyle, shopping and educational content – aimed at every member of the family.
“Freeview Africa is expected to become an integral part of the development of digital television in Nigeria and West Africa as a whole by creating an infrastructure that can reach the entire community economically,” said Dexter Akin-Alamu, chairman of The Dexterity Group.
“We want to play an active role to help the government to distribute information, education and entertainment that positively benefits society. Freeview Africa has many channels that can be beneficial to viewers, as well as answering the needs of rural areas which often lose the opportunity to get information and entertainment easily received on television.”
To get the free subscription service, a viewer simply needs to make a one-time purchase of the receiver equipment, which includes a set-top box and a small parabolic antenna at an affordable price, which will be announced soon. The receiver equipment will be available from February nationwide.
Freeview Africa demonstrates the considerable potential of subscription-free TV in Nigeria and aims to deliver affordable entertainment to everyone in both urban and rural areas, said Akin-Alamu.
“The presence of the platform will also largely help people to become more information-literate, to improve the quality of their lives and knowledge. We are very excited about pioneering this exciting and meaningful project,” he added.
Nigerian media firm Envivo Communications is launching an over-the-top (OTT) streaming service called nVIVO TV to increase its offering of Nollywood and international video content to devices throughout Africa.
Olu Obadina
Africa continues to register low television penetration within households, and there is still on average of only one cinema screen per million people. As a result, streaming video is fast becoming the most popular way to watch movies, shows and other content, as many households having smartphones or other mobile devices.
To help broaden the availability of video in Africa, Envivo will offer streaming video services for Nollywood and international content across mobile devices including phones, tablets and PCs.
nVIVO TV will use Cisco OTT video solutions and will be made available in early 2018.
“The vision of nVIVO TV is to drive the African and African diaspora market towards a new online streaming experience that provides significant domestic content,” said Olu Obadina, chairman and chief innovation officer at Envivo.
One of the most respected producers in Nigeria’s Nollywood film community is venturing into the world of TV by launching the channel Teen Africa Television, reports Gabriella Opara.
Charles Novia at the Teens in the Park event
Charles Osa Igbinovia, better known as Charles Novia, CEO of November Productions, is launching the channel which will air online at the end of November and on cable by April 2018.
Known for his scriptwriting and social commentary and for his essays about controversial issues, Novia aims to air 100% original content aimed at tweens and teens in Africa.
His film production credits include hit classic Nollywood movies such as Alan Poza, Missing Angel, Caught in the Middle and The Bridesmaid.
The channel was unveiled on August 23 at the Teens In the Park event held in Millennium Park in Abuja, Nigeria, where teenagers in the area were given the opportunity to network and showcase their talents.
In a Facebook post, Novia said: “After years of hard work and sleepless nights, with the journey far from over, Teen Africa TV is preparing to launch in a two-phase plan by November.
“I still need money to finish. Make God touch one rich person heart to find me some kuza. Lol. But it’s so much joy to know the dream is now a reality.”
Discop plans to follow next year’s market at Abidjan in Ivory Coast, where the first edition of the knowledge-transfer and matchmaking programme Discore will be held, with a launch in Lagos in 2019, reports Abraham Osemwenkhae.
The event’s organisers are looking to focus on the booming industry in Nigeria, the world’s fastest-growing entertainment market over the next five years, as predicted by PricewaterhouseCoopers recently.
Discop Lagos will have its own personality, format and agenda. Cross-cultural bridges will be built between this new market and the ones in Abidjan, Dubai and Johannesburg. Identical research, promotional, meeting organisation and travel planning services will be provided to all delegates ahead of each market.
Patrick Zuchowicki
While recession has hobbled the Nigerian economy for much of the past year, forecasts predict continued growth for Africa’s entertainment marketplace. “Within the next five years, the Sub-Saharan African marketplace is expected to grow by 35% and become the fastest-growing world region for entertainment content business,” said Patrick Zuchowicki, general manager of business event organisers Basic Lead.
That growth will be driven by “original, multi-platform entertainment content produced in Africa, reinforced trade between Sub-Saharan African countries and intra-regional coproduction initiatives. People from Nigeria are not going to go to Sweden to sell their content – they’re going to stay in Africa. That’s where their prime market is,” said Zuchowicki.
Nigeria was the first country to take centre-stage at Johannesburg-based Discop Africa in November 2013. A range of dedicated events, screenings and conference tracks took place to mark the 20th anniversary of Nollywood, which highlighted the rapid growth in the Nigerian movie industry.
Nigerian musician Olamide Adedeji, also known as Baddosneh, will be joining Play TV as a brand ambassador, the cable network has announced.
Olamide Adedeji (second from left) has signed an endorsement deal with Play TV
Adedeji was named as the network’s latest ambassador this week when he signed an endorsement deal with Play.
Funmi Adenaike, general manager of Play TV, said: “Olamide is a brand loyal to local content in Nigeria. He is someone who encourages people to live their dreams and that is what Play TV is about. We care about local content that can compete anywhere in the world; this is why we have aligned ourselves with Olamide.”
Adedeji commended Play for its commitment to the creative industry in Nigeria. “I would like to thank Play TV for choosing to work with me and bring me onboard for this project. For me, this is a ground-breaking move. It’s a major thing for Nigeria. It’s a major thing for Africa,” he said.
When asked what content he has planned for Play TV, he said: “I won’t let the cat out of the bag. That’s our selling point.”
Adedeji was welcomed by staff of Play and other Play TV ambassadors, including TV presenter Labi Olayori and Nollywood actress Adediwura Adesegha (aka Blarkgold).
Stephanie Coker, co-host of The Voice Nigeria, has joined Arise News as co-host of The Morning Show.
Stephanie Coker
After announcing the news on Instagram, Coker hosted the show for the first time earlier this week. Alongside Toyosi Etim-Effiong, she interviewed guests including South African TV personality Bonang Matheba and legal practitioner Iredumare Opeyemi.
The Morning Show airs on Arise News, DSTV channel 416, every weekday at 09.00.
Coker launched her media career in 2011 as an anchor of Street Request on MTV Base Africa. Since then, she has been host or co-host of several programmes, including MTV Big Friday Show, Guinness Colorful World of More, Ebony Life TV and The Voice Nigeria.
Arise News is a London-based world news channel. It also has studios in New York, Johannesburg and Lagos. The channel features African, US and European content.
Two Celebrity Housemates (CHM) participants have left the reality TV show following the latest round of evictions.
The third week of CHM saw contestants begging for votes from the public in order to continue their stay in the reality show.
On the eviction day, five contestants faced possible eviction: Yomi Fash Lanso, Jaywon, Muma Gee, Frederick Leonard and Eniola Badmus.
Badmus was the first to be saved from the chop by the number of votes she gained from viewers. Lanso and Leonard were also saved by public votes.
That left the two evictees – Muma Gee and Jaywon – with 60 seconds to say their goodbyes, whereupon they were asked to exit the house.
After his eviction, Jaywon said: “I used to believe I knew it all. I wasn’t used to doing house chores before the show – I can’t even remember the last time I washed my clothes before Celebrity Housemates. Being here taught me to do these things. Now, it’s like an exercise routine for me.
“I started getting tired of the house the day Ada Ameh was evicted, because she was my closest companion. She [treated] me like a brother and son and was always there for me. I remember when I was down in the house, Ada Ameh brought me medications and also brought tea to me every morning and night to ensure I was OK.
“What made it worse was that she got evicted the same day Funky Mallam got booted out too, and Funky Mallam was my roommate. Ever since, leaving the house was no longer going to hit me or shock me anymore.”
Muma Gee, meanwhile, was full of praise for fellow housemate Leonard: “It was a very good opportunity for me to even meet with someone who understands the real me, and could let me out of my shell with his intelligence and maturity. I had never met Frederick before the show and when I met him, it was like a new wine and life entirely for me.”
However, she questioned the authenticity of some of the show’s other participants: “Some of them were living a fake life in the house, all in the name of winning the grand prize. But I lived my life like I always do. It was a very great experience and opportunity for me to learn a lot even from some of the guests who came to talk to us.”
Badmus was nominated as the new house captain after competing with Doris Simeon for the role. Although she seemed very reluctant to take the baton from Ruggedman, she later took control, stating that she would supervise all the chores that needed to be done in the house.
Celebrity Housemates airs 24 hours a day on Dope TV. It also airs weekdays on WAP TV at 21.00; Silverbird Television at 20.30; NTA at 17.30; TVC Entertainment at 23.30; and PRTV at 22.30.
Nigerian cable network Play TV has added four channels to its pay platform, with plans to add two more later this month.
Play has upgraded its channel list to include 24-hour African comedy channel 1 Comedy, Germankids’ cartoon channel Fix & Foxi and two Indian channels, Colors and Rishtey.
1 Comedy airs on channel 291 while Colors, Rishtey and Fix & Foxi air on channels 290, 295 and 505 respectively. Fix & Foxi is owned by Munich-based Your Family Entertainment, while the two Indian nets are owned by Viacom18 of Mumbai.
Play will also add two more channels, African movie channel Aforevo TV and entertainment news service WapTV, this month.
Recently, 1 Comedy was in the news after it announced it will give content creators the opportunity to have their comedy skits air for free on the channel.
Play TV, formerly known as ConSat, has more than 50 channels, some of which are exclusive to the network, such as HFA TV, 1 Comedy, 1 Music and Irawo.
The housemates in the third season on Big Brother Naija (BBN), dubbed Double Wahala, were paired off on Wednesday.
Ahneeka
In the latest development from the BBN3 house, the housemates were divided into pairs, with each male contestant required to pick a flower to give to any of the women he wanted to choose.
Meanwhile, the female contestants were asked to pick numbers before choosing their male partners.
The male participants were given the opportunity to either reject or accept any female’s proposal. However, drama unfolded when Ahneeka was rejected by Dee-one, who chose to pair with Vandora instead. She later paired with Rico Swavey.
Ahneeka shared her feelings about the rejection with fellow housemates, saying: “I feel bad but I don’t need his sympathy. It was an embarrassing situation.”
Dee-One later apologised to Ahneeka, saying: “I am sorry. I feel bad, I just thought the flower thing was like a game. What can I do to help you feel better?”
During the premiere of the reality show on Sunday, host Ebuka Uchedu announced there would be a change in the weekly eviction process this season. Housemates would be divided into pairs and would be either evicted or saved with their partners.
The pairs are:
Rico Swavey and Ahneeka
Tobi and Cee C
Lolu and Anto
Angel and Ifu Ennada
Leo and Alex
Teddy A and Bam Bam
Dee One and Vandora
Bitto and Princess
Miracle and Nina
K Brule and Khloe
BBN3 airs 24 hours a day on DSTV channel 198 and GOtv channel 29. The show is based on the format from Endemol Shine Group.
African fashion website Haute Fashion Africa (HFA) has launched its linear TV network exclusively on Nigerian pay TV platform Play TV.
HFA TV has landed on Play TV
Occupying channel 200, HFA TV features programmes that focus on the fashion industry in Africa. Shows go backstage and into the front row at fashion shows, highlighting various fashion stylists, designers and models.
Shows in its launch line-up include ICYMI: Haute Outside, Haute List Top Dix and Shop My Closet.
HFA has been an online destination since 2006. Speaking about the channel launch, HFA TV CEO Oluwadamilola ‘Wadami’ Amolegbe said: “For a decade, the Haute Fashion Africa brand has maintained its commitment to being a platform profile for African designers exhibiting a taste for the cultural.
“Tempered with an appreciation of the varied degrees of influence by the West in today’s fashion, the website has served as an exposure in the fashion world. With the recent launch of HFA TV, it furthers the narrative through television.”
Pay TV platform Play TV, formerly known as ConSat, offers a wide range of entertainment, from kids’ shows to sports, news, music and movies. It has more than 50 channels, some of which are exclusive to Play TV, such as HFA TV, 1 Comedy, 1 Music and Irawo TV.
Sky’s Britannia centres on the Roman invasion of Britain
African subscription video-on-demand (SVoD) platform iflix has announced it will be the exclusive online home for UK drama Britannia.
The historical drama is set it 43AD as Britain’s tribes and Druid mystics face an invading Roman army and have their lives changed forever. It is produced by Vertigo Films in association with Neal Street Productions for Sky in the UK.
Evert van der Veer
Iflix will bring the show to 25 countries in Africa, including Nigeria. It is also carried by North African and Middle Eastern SVoD service Starz Play, and is distributed by London-based Sky Vision.
Evert van der Veer, iflix’s head of content in Africa and the Middle East, said: “The addition of Britannia is a testament to iflix’s commitment to showcase the very best international content to subscribers across the region.
“We are excited to partner with Sky to bringing our customers this year’s most anticipated new series before any other entertainment platform in the region.”
Iflix launched in Nigeria in August 2017, three years after it began operations in Malaysia. The company partners with more than 220 studios and distributors and carries a range of movies and TV series both locally and globally.
Nigeria’s federal government is seeking a court order to make broadcaster Channels Television hand over a copy of a controversial interview with Senator Isah Misau.
Senator Isah Misau
The move came after Senator Misau was taken to Abuja High Court in Maitama on seven counts of allegedly accusing the inspector general of police, Ibrahim Idris, of corrupt practices, sexual misconduct and falsehood during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.
Senator Misau is a retired deputy superintendent of police and represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District. He pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and was granted bail, set at N5m.
The case against the senator was adjourned till February 22 and Channels Television has been instructed to produce footage of the interview for evidence.
Registration is now open for the sixth Nigerian Entertainment Conference (NEC), which takes place in Lagos on April 25.
NEC host and comedian Tee A
This year’s conference will focus on the theme Understanding Emerging Markets, Trends & Opportunities.
It will explore how the creative industries in Nigeria can exploit the tools that innovative technology provides and how best to use them to develop the industry and create impact, locally and internationally. It will be hosted by comedian Tee A.
Organised annually since 2013, NEC brings together practitioners from different spheres of the entertainment industry for one day of conversations, workshops, exhibitions and masterclasses.
NEC founder Ayeni Adekunle said: “As the entertainment business the world over continues to see rapid, shocking changes, with the future of the industry increasingly relying on IT and new ideas, NEC is bringing practitioners in Nigeria together to put our house in order, while taking concrete steps to study global trends, understand them, master them and put them to use – for the benefit of practitioners, consumers, corporates and society.”
Ayeni Adekunle
Registration to attend NEC is underway and the event will be held at Landmark Event Centre, Oniru, Lagos.
Speakers from previous editions of NEC include Toyin Abraham, Basketmouth, John Ugbe, Banky W, Funke Akindele and D’banj. This year’s speakers and panelists are yet to be announced.
NEC will be aired live on cable and online TV, although the channels carrying it have yet to be revealed.
Sponsors of the conference include MTN, Beat FM, Black House Media, COSON, Cool FM, MultiChoice Nigeria, Bank of Industry, The British Council, NET and Interswitch.
Nigeria’s digital switchover (DSO) is set to reach Enugu and Osun states this month.
Mallam Is’haq Modibbo-Kawu
The news, which comes weeks after Kwara and Kaduna states made the switchover, was announced at a DSO stakeholders held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, by Mallam Is’haq Modibbo-Kawu, director general of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
Modibbo-Kawu also disclosed that DSO would reach Delta and Gombe states during the first quarter of 2018, and promised that 12 further states would make the transition before the year ends.
Of the challenges posed by DSO, he added: “Coverage is related to topography. Take, as an example, the Federal Capital Territory – it is a city of hills and undulating ground.
“As I am talking to you, the signal distributor for Abuja has purchased feeder pillar transmitters, which will be installed for the entire Abuja and environs to be covered. The same thing applies in Plateau. The signal distributor has to put feeder pillar transmitters in places like Langtang for the entire state to be covered.”
The DSO meeting also saw speakers proffer solutions for such challenges. Olusegun Odebunmi, chairman of the House Committee on Information, National Orientation & Values, addressed the issue of lack of funds.
“The government must give directives for the sale of spectrum and make part of the realised money available to bankroll the process,” Odebunmi said. “The best and the only sure way to raise money is to sell off the nation’s spectrum. The process requires huge investment and, because it is Nigerians that will benefit from it, it is time for government to invest in its people.
“There should also be a plan for compensation for those people who are vacating the spectrum. Money from the spectrum will also be used to subsidise the purchase of set-top boxes for the masses. The government must have the political will to drive the process.”
The NBC has asked states that have made the switchover to consider subsidising set-top boxes for indigenes and old people. So far, DSO has reached Abuja, Jos, Kwara and Kaduna states.
Lagos-based Arcadia Mobile TV will attend Discop Dubai later this month and is currently the only Nigerian company scheduled to go to the programme market.
Akintude Marinho
Almost a year since the online video platform’s launch, Arcadia will use the three-day event to acquire content and the learn about the international programming marketplace.
“We are looking to buy content at Discop Dubai,” Akintude Marinho, executive producer at Arcadia, told Content Nigeria. “Most importantly, we are seeking to see how content is sold on a global scale so we can come back to Nigeria to develop our content, based on the information we hope to gain.”
Arcadia has channels focusing on comedy, fashion, documentaries, sports, movies, anime, art and lifestyle. Both Marinho and chief content officer Olamide Yousuph will be in Dubai to acquire fresh content.
“Arcadia Mobile TV has recently collaborated with some content creators and we’ve been able to create some short films. We are also working on some Ghanaian TV partnerships,” Marinho added.
Taking place from February 25 to 27 in the United Arab Emirates city, Discop Dubai will host more than 175 film and TV content sellers, with more than 400 buyers seeking foreign programming.
In excess of 300 media companies and entrepreneurs will be present at the event, while independent producers from the Middle East will attend and take part in a sidebar training, deal-building, networking and pitching programme.
The organiser of the event, Basic Lead, is also holding programme markets in Abidjan, Zanzibar and Johannesburg in May, July and November, respectively. The company also plans to launch a similar event in Lagos in 2019.
Celebrity Housemates features participants from across Nigeria
Three participants were evicted from Nigerian reality TV show Celebrity Housemates earlier this week.
Six contestants – Frederick Leonard, Muma Gee, Ada Ameh, Junior Pope, Funky Mallam and Ogenna Okwubiri – were nominated for eviction by their fellow housemates and could only be saved by votes from viewers.
Ameh, Okwubiri and Mallam emerged with the fewest public votes, ensuring their eviction from the house.
Ameh said her eviction did not come as a surprise: “I knew it was 50/50 the moment I was nominated for eviction, but I never imagined it would happen so fast, because I was so real and already started building a family in the house.
“I love all the contestants and I believe it was a game in which some people will go and some will remain but only one winner will emerge. Be it as it may, I don’t have any regrets participating. I also thank the organisers for counting me worthy to be among the invited celebrities to premiere the reality TV show.”
To Mallam, it was a blessing in disguise: “I think I was evicted because I am planning for my wedding this month, and maybe my fellow housemates think I need some time to plan a very good gig or the organisers felt it would be hard to release me from the house for a whole three days, missing out on the games and all other activities, and hence decided to boot me out of the house. But in all, it was an unforgettable experience all the way.”
An emotional Ogenna Okwubiri, meanwhile, believed she was evicted because she couldn’t live a ‘two-sided life’ – unlike other celebrities in the house, she doesn’t act and had never previously taken part in a reality show, she said.
“Thank you, Celebrity Housemates, it was an amazing experience,” she said. “I’m glad to be among the worthy participants. I’m going to miss the fun, the noise, the laughs. This last week has recorded the biggest laugh of my life. I never even knew I could laugh as much as I did, but bringing people of different backgrounds and social beliefs together under a roof can sometimes bring out the best out of you.”
Week two of Celebrity Housemates had Dj Bellcheque visit the house to party with the remaining contestants, in keeping with the promise of the organisers to invite other celebrities to mingle with the housemates each week.
Celebrity Housemates airs weekdays on WAP TV, DSTV channel 252, at 21.00; Silverbird Television, DSTV channel 252, at 20.30; NTA at 17.30; TVC Entertainment, DSTV channel 418, at 23.30; and PRTV at 22.30. It also airs 24 hours a day on Dope TV.
Web-based video channel LindaIkeji TV has released a trailer for forthcoming reality show Ajegunle With Love.
The original series will follow the lives of people born and bred in Ajegunle, a neighbourhood in Lagos. According to the network, Ajegunle With Love will focus on the drama, intrigue, poverty and hard work to be found in the town.
Linda Ikeji
Joining the long list of reality programmes heading for the network this year, Ajegunle With Love will show the daily hustle of five individuals: singer Sunny Boy, barber Valiant, bar owner and security guard Jairo, footballer Lucia, and Harris, a graduate of Lagos State University and a teacher.
Ajegunle With Love is exclusive to LindaIkeji TV, is produced by Odega Shawa and has Linda Ikeji, CEO of LindaIkeji TV, as its creative and executive producer. Its release date has yet to be announced.
Other reality TV shows lined up to launch this year on LindaIkeji TV are Gidi Girls, King Tonto and Oyinbo Wives of Lagos. Linda Ikeji, one of the biggest bloggers in Nigeria, launched her web video channel in 2016.
The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) has assured the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) of its support for digital switchover (DSO) plans, reports Gabriella Opara.
John Momoh
During a DSO stakeholders’ meeting held last Thursday in Uyo in Akwa Ibom state, BON chairman John Momoh pledged his support to the NBC over its plans to ensure DSO nationwide.
“We are witnessing an era in which the broadcast industry is presenting great opportunities and at the same time facing some threats. Opportunities in the sense that the whole of broadcasting is changing from content platforms like Apple to OTT services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime through to social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter,” Momoh said.
“And so many companies are eager to get great content. This is where we, as broadcasters, need the support of the NBC – to ensure that it lays the groundwork for future success. The best way for us to invent the future is to put in place the best possible architecture and give the industry the freedom to thrive,” Momoh added.
At the meeting, NBC director general Is’haq Modibbo Kawu also pledged that all hands will be on deck to ensure the smooth sailing of DSO in 2018.
In a statement upon the launch, Nigeria minister for information and culture Lai Mohammed promised more DSO would take place within a few weeks across the states. He also said DSO would generate N100bn annually through the FreeTV distribution network, which has more than 200 channels.
Emem Ime Okwoche, producer of popular morning TV talkshow Your View (pictured above) and lifestyle show Wake Up Nigeria, tells Opara Gabriella how she juggles two shows with impending motherhood.
Emem Ime Okwoche
Against the backdrop of a Wake Up Nigeria banner and TVC Entertainment Splash showing on the television in front of us, Emem Ime Okwoche is all charm and grace as we discuss the TV shows she produces on Television Continental (TVC).
What led to the creation of Your View?
Your View is based on the US talkshow The View, where women come together to talk about social issues. The View helped form the idea behind Your View. However, I wasn’t a producer of Your View when it started, I came in a while later.
How has the show been affected by the new hosts over the years?
The idea of having new hosts on Your View is to give diverse views and fresh intellectual content to the show. This has had a huge impact on the show because we did not just invite anyone, we scouted for women who were strongly opinionated and intelligent who we knew would bring fresh perspectives, with different views to the regular hosts on the show.
The hosts are all female, except for Cyril. Is this deliberate?
Yes, it is deliberate. Cyril is not a presenter of the show, he comes in as a guest. The reason why women host the show is because Your View is meant to be a voice for women who are concerned about social issues. You will realise that there are very few talkshows for women in Nigeria and even fewer that address topical social issues.
Wake Up Nigeria
How do you feel about going in front of the cameras as a presenter on Wake Up Nigeria?
It’s been thrilling. Presenting has always been my first love, despite my science background. Upon joining TVC, I got the opportunity to produce Your View. Although I thought it wasn’t my forte at first, I grabbed the opportunity.
Yes, it was challenging but in time I got excited because I retained an open mind and a willingness to learn and that helped me get a lot of ideas on how to make it better and stay top notch.
Then along came another opportunity, to present for Wake Up Nigeria. So, again, I grabbed the bull by the horns and auditioned. For me, it’s one more step in the right direction. I am also one of the producers for Wake Up Nigeria.
Tell us about your science background.
I studied medicine for three years at MacDonald University, Anambra, before transferring to biochemistry later on.
What are your experiences of producing Wake Up Nigeria?
It’s been fun; something new everyday. There are a lot of producers for the show and I am one of them. Wake Up Nigeria is a two-hour show, a potpourri of everything entertainment and an animal for content, so it needs more than one person to produce it. When it comes to content delivery, it is important that you have different people coming up with new ideas.
Morayo Afolabi-Brown [host of Your View] selected a couple of people to produce the show because she needed content that would add value to the show. We all work together to produce a content-filled show. No-one is dedicated to any segment. I could say I’m somewhat more dedicated to fashion, as it is my forte, and I come up with the fashion DIYs on Wake Up Nigeria.
What is the differences between Your View and Wake Up Nigeria?
The similarities are they are both TV breakfast shows, they appeal to similar audience and the same issues are often discussed on both shows.
The differences are that Your View is hosted by women who discuss, focus and address issues that affect society at large. They also represent every Nigerian woman by giving her a voice.
Wake Up Nigeria, however, is hosted by presenters who represent different classes of young men and women. It is a potpourri of all things, including fashion, music, movies, entertainment, arts, sports and more. It appeals to youths and women.
How do you balance your job as a presenter and producer with your impending motherhood?
As a first-time mum, it’s been challenging. Wake Up Nigeria starts really early, about 07.00, so I am up by 04.00, getting ready for the day. One thing that has helped is time management. I work with time and structure everything I do according to it.
What do you have planned for Wake Up Nigeria for this year?
We have a new outdoor set. Also, we are dishing out content that will keep our viewers locked to the show. We get comments from viewers who say they love the show and that’s what drives us to do more. We draw from that drive to feed our viewers with the content they are yearning for.
What’s the one thing you’d like Content Nigeria readers to know about you?
People usually don’t know that I’m a fun person. The first impression they usually get from me is that I’m a snob, but the truth is I am a fun-loving person and I love to cook. I cook very well.
Catch Wake Up Nigeria and Your View every weekday on TVC Entertainment on GOtv channel 25, StarTimes channel 121 and Play TV channel 801 from 07.00 and 09.00 respectively.
The housemates in the third season of reality hit Big Brother Naija (BBN) were unveiled on Sunday.
BBN3, tagged Double Wahala, premiered on Sunday night in Johannesburg, South Africa, revealing the faces of all 20 housemates. Former housemate Ebuka Uchedu hosted the show and live music was performed by Mayorkun and Kiss Daniel.
A live screening of the premiere was held at Oregun in Lagos with former BBN housemates Tboss and Bassey acting as hosts with celebrities and other ex-housemates in attendance. The show debuted live at 19.00 on MultiChoice-owned DSTV channel 198 and GOtv channel 29.
The housemates in BBN3 are Ahneeka, Alex, Angel, Anto, Bambam, Khloe, Leo, Lolu, Miracle, Nina, Bitto, Cee-c, Dee-one, Ifuennada, K. Brule, Princess, Rico Swavey, Teddy A, Tobi and Vandora. The show will air 24/7 on DSTV channel 198 and GOtv channel 29.
Uchedu announced at the launch that contestants will be divided into groups and each housemate will either be selected for eviction or saved from it by their peers. Evictions will take place weekly.
Housemates of BBN will live together for 11 weeks, competing for a prize of N45m, announced by organiser MNet West Africa. The show is based on the format owned by Endemol Shine Group.
Martin Mabutho, general manager of sales and marketing for MultiChoice Nigeria, spoke about the return of BBN, stating: “Without a doubt, this promises to be the most exciting edition of the Big Brother franchise on the African continent.
“The last edition of Big Brother Naija was incredibly successful and we see just how much the show continues to resonate with fans in Nigeria and around the continent. We guarantee not only that our viewers will enjoy the premiere show, but that they will stay tuned for three months until the show’s finale when the winner is revealed.”
BBN3, tagged Double Wahala, premiered on Sunday night in Johannesburg, South Africa, revealing the faces of all 20 housemates. Former housemate Ebuka Uchedu hosted the show and live music was performed by Mayorkun and Kiss Daniel.