Tag Archives: BET International

Busiswa show to debut on BET Africa

Busiswa Gqulu

South African singer Busiswa Gqulu will star in a new reality TV show called Her Majesty on ViacomCBS-owned channel BET Africa.

The 13-part show will air this month to celebrate International Women’s Month and will star the African singer and document her journey towards making an album.

It will also explore her award-winning music career and partnerships with international superstars as she shares her experiences with African audiences.

Monde Twala, senior VP and general manager at ViacomCBS Networks Africa and lead at BET International, said: “It’s so inspiring to bring another local black female-led reality TV series to the channel.

“The series will give viewers an intimate exclusive glimpse into the world of one of Africa’s leading queen of song. BET Africa is proud to continue celebrating black excellence on the continent and we are committed to bringing African audiences content that is culture-led, bold and relevant.

Gqulu added: “I am excited to partner with BET Africa, a brand that continuously celebrates black culture and excellence globally. I look forward to sharing my truth, whereas over the years I have been reluctant to share anything. But I have learned that it’s more important to own my story, and am willing to let my fans into the next level that is my private and spiritual life.”

The series starts at 19.30 CAT on March 20 on BET Africa channel 129.

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ViacomCBS ups Monde Twala to BET role

ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) has promoted Monde Twala from his current role with ViacomCBS Networks Africa to peer lead at BET International.

Monde Twala

Twala will work with Kerry Taylor, executive VP of VCNI’s entertainment and youth brands, and the larger international division to guide editorial direction and identify opportunities to strengthen and grow the BET brand outside the US.

Twala is currently senior VP of ViacomCBS Networks Africa, editorial and general manager. During his tenure he has played a key role in the creation of ViacomCBS Africa’s major music events, including the Africa Day Benefit Concert at Home, the first virtual benefit event to support children and families in Africa impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the MTV Africa Music Awards.

Additionally, Twala has worked alongside local production teams to create a range of programming including MTV Newsish, BET Breaks, scripted biopics and reality formats.

“As head of BET’s largest international market, Monde has an incredible track record of driving development and growth for all of our ViacomCBS brands across the African continent,” said Taylor.

“He is a passionate champion of the brand and I have no doubt that he will drive it forward in a strong, impactful way while ensuring BET International elevates black culture globally.”

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MTV Shuga drama returns to Nigeria

Drama series MTV Shuga, which recently premiered its new season in South Africa, is making its way to Nigeria and is in search of new talent.

Produced by award-winning producer Tope Oshin, MTV Shuga addresses issues affecting young people such as sexual health, gender-based violence, contraception, family planning and other social issues. In the show, participants who will be judged based on their originality and acting skills.

Auditions will be held on April 4 at the Classique Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos and registration can be done . Interested people must be Nigerian, aged over 18 and be ready to provide a valid photo identification and a headshot photo.

Georgia Arnold, executive director of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, said: “We are excited to bring back the public auditions for the new season of MTV Shuga Naija.

“Our aim is to continue using relatable storytelling to educate and empower young people about social issues like contraception, sexual health, family planning and gender-based violence. We can’t wait to discover amazing new talent to join the MTV Shuga family.”

Over the years, youths have been able to make more informed decisions based on the viewing of this drama series, according to Alex Okosi, executive VP and MD at Viacom International Media Networks and BET International.

“MTV Shuga provides an important narrative for our African youth with socially relevant content that resonates globally. This call for auditions is a platform for young talent on the continent to open up the industry with diverse storytelling.”

Talent that has come out of MTV Shuga includes Timini Egbuson, Emmanuel Ikubese, Bukola Oladipupo, Helena Nelson and Jemima Osunde.

MTV Shuga, a long-running drama series and multimedia campaign that was pioneered in Kenya in 2009, is a multi-sectorial partnership led by the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and is supported by MTV Base Africa, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Nations Population Fund and other NGOs.

Set to be on screens in September 2019, the show is aired on Viacom international channels around the world. The content is also offered rights-free to third-party broadcasters and content platforms, and used as a teaching aid by educators, healthcare workers and grassroots HIV/AIDS organisations around the world.

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Families have a blast at NickFest 2018

Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa and Nigeria’s Got Talent winner Amarachi at NickFest

The second edition of family event NickFest Nigeria, organised by children’s TV channel Nickelodeon, took place in Lagos this week.

The two-day event, held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, welcomed more than 4,000 families with children to experience being with popular Nickelodeon characters.

Sponsored by Indomie, DSTV Nigeria, Cussons Baby, Nunu Milk, Maltina and Nickelodeon parent company Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa), this year’s event was anchored by TV personality Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa and the winner of Nigeria’s Got Talent, Amarachi.

There were performances by Nigerian artistes like MI Abaga, Mayorkun, Falz, Simisola and Adekunle Gold.

Several Nickelodeon characters performed in shows as well, including ones from SpongeBob SquarePants, Paw Patrol, Dora the Explorer, Shimmer & Shine and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

One parent at the event, held on September 29 and 30, said: “NickFest thrilled kids and parents alike today, thanks to Nickelodeon, in partnership with Maltina. We had fun, we appreciate them.”

There was a celebrity slime challenge, which involved personalities being covered with green slime in an attempt to raise funds for kids through NGO projects in Nigeria.

Alex Okosi, executive VP and MD at VIMN Africa and sister company BET International, said: “NickFest delivers an amazing experience for families to enjoy the best of Nickelodeon. We are thrilled to bring the festival back to Nigeria in partnership with Maltina for a second consecutive year.”

“This is indeed an exciting partnership for Maltina. We recognise that we are all busy and, more often than not, life just gets in the way, making family time that much more important,” added Ngozi Nkwoji, portfolio manager of non-alcoholic drinks for Maltina parent Nigerian Breweries.

“As a brand that is all about nourishing family moments, we are proud to partner with Nickelodeon again to bring all the excitement of NickFest to the whole family. NickFest is one of those events that the whole family can enjoy and is an event that nourishes those precious family moments.”

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