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Tag: Africa Magic

  • Africa Magic to premiere 300 films in March- MultiChoice

    Africa Magic to premiere 300 films in March- MultiChoice

    Africa Magic says it will premiere no fewer than 300 films across Africa Magic Showcase, Urban, and Indigenous channels this March to create exhilarating entertainment experience for viewers.

    Dr Busola Tejumola, Multichoice’s Head of Content and Channels, West Africa, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

    Tejumola reiterated Africa Magic’s commitment to providing endless entertainment to its viewers.

    She said every day in March, new movies would grace the screens of the selected Africa Magic channels.

    She added the movies would offer a diverse range of genres, from comedy to romance and thriller to family dramas, ensuring there was something for everyone.

    “Entertainment has the power to bring people together and inspire positive change. With our commitment to quality content and innovation, we are excited to redefine African entertainment.

    “We have carefully curated a selection of 155 films that reflect the dynamism of our continent, offering viewers an array of diverse narratives that showcase the beauty of African culture, society, and identity.

    “March Madness will see a mix of diverse films, including Kiisi, Eri Ife, Ekun Mefa, Mai Shayi 01, Madubin Gobe, Anurika, Ogu Love, Ndi Ajo Obi, among others, on the indigenous channels.

    “Other channels will air movies like All Mine, Grown, Her Dark Past, The Boss, Due Date and Why Women Kill.”

    Tejumola explained that the Step-Up promo, which runs till March 31, offered a solution to DStv and GOtv subscribers seeking access to all 155 movies on Africa Magic but with subscriptions to lower packages.

    She also explained that DStv and GOtv subscribers, who upgraded or reconnected to the next higher package would receive an automatic upgrade to an even higher package within 48 hours.

    She said a Compact consumer could enjoy premium content if they upgrade to Compact Plus.

    “Viewers can also catch the films on the go via the DStv app at no additional fee. The app is available for download from the Apple and Google Play stores,” she said.

     

  • Showmax, Africa Magic to open slots for filmmakers

    Showmax, Africa Magic to open slots for filmmakers

    Dr Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels for MultiChoice Nigeria, says  Africa Magic and Showmax will commission at least 30 films in 2023,  where filmmakers can send in their pitches.

    She revealed this at  a panelist chat titled: “The Jewel Within: Showmax and DSTV in Conversation with African filmmakers”, which was in conjunction with the 11th African International Film Festival (AFRIFF).

    Newsmen reports that the event was moderated by actor and producer, Padita Agu and the conversation featured a fireside chat with some other key panel members.

    They included Creative Entrepreneur, Obi Asika, Filmmaker Delmwa Deshi, Creator and Director of Flawsome, Tola Odunsi, and Head of Production, MultiChoice, Victor Aghahowa.  

    Tejumola said the subscribers of Africa Magic and Showmax would enjoy a surplus of local entertainment and multiple brand-new shows.

    Highlighting some of the new content to expect on Showmax, Tejumola disclosed that another iteration of the Real Housewives franchise was coming to a new city in Nigeria.

    She also disclosed that  a new telenovela titled ‘Wura’ and the first African sport animated series, Jay Jay, based on the life of the legendary footballer Jay Jay Okocha, will also be on the platform in 2023.

    She also added that the recently announced original drama series, Flawsome, will premiere on Showmax today, Thursday,  Nov. 10,  with new episodes every Thursday.

    She said:  “We have a huge lineup of content in the coming months and into 2023.

    The panellists also discussed how Showmax supported African content via series, movies, documentaries.

    Producer of Journey of the Beats, Obi Asika and Tola Odunsi, shared how detailed they needed to be in creating the different series they worked on for Showmax.

    Delmwa Deshi and Victor Aghahowa described how working with MultiChoice over the years had helped them and encouraged other filmmakers to pitch their content too.

    Aghahowa, with help from Tejumola, broke down the submission process for pitching and reminded the guests about a platform to get all they needed to pitch and submit their proposed content materials. 

    After a very insightful question and answer session, each panel member took turns encouraging filmmakers to keep putting in the work as it was the ultimate way to ensure a successful career.

    In Aghahowa’s words, “nobody can give you a career, all they can give you is an opportunity. You are responsible for your career.”

    NAN reports that Showmax will screen the first episode of the highly-anticipated drama series, Flawsome, today at the Alliance Francaise as part of activities for thw 2022 AFRIFF.

    The series features award-winning actresses Bisola Aiyeola, Sharon Ooja, Ini-Dima Okojie, and Enado Odigie.

    Other notable cast members include Jocelyn Dumas, Baaj Adebule, Gabriel Afolayan, John Dumelo, Toyin Abraham, Chris Attoh, Ali Nuhu, Shine Rossman, and Ireti Doyle.

    Viewers can watch the first episode of Flawsome from the Nov. 10 and other interesting content on www.showmax.com.

  • 10,000 entries received for Nigerian Idol, Season 7- Official

    10,000 entries received for Nigerian Idol, Season 7- Official

    The producers of Nigerian Idol, Multichoice Nigeria and Africa Magic, have revealed that they received about 10,000 entries when they opened for auditions for the seventh season.

    Dr Busola Tejumola, Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels, Multichoice Nigeria, in a statement on Saturday said that it was the most entries they had ever received for the show.

    Tejumola said that Nigerian Idol had proven to be a coveted springboard for aspiring musicians in its past seasons.

    “So, the number of people trying to get on the show is not surprising.

    “However, it is interesting to note that about 10 out of the 10,000 people that applied will make it to the live shows.

    “Perhaps even more exciting is the fact that there will be only one winner who will take home all the prizes,” she said.

    On the audition process, Tejumola said: “For this season, we held auditions online, and for the first time after a long time, we also had physical auditions.

    “This year, we had a hybrid just to give more hopefuls of the Nigerian Idol format a chance to enter and get a shot at fame.

    “We had a record number of almost 10,000 entries, an increase from last season.”

    She said the three-month-long music reality show would follow talented musicians through rigorous training to create the next Nigerian music superstar.

    “They will be judged by award-winning artiste, Oladapo Oyebanjo ‘D’banj’; singer-songwriter, Simisola ‘Simi’ Kosoko; and creative industry entrepreneur, Obi Asika.

    “IK Osakioduwa will return as the host of the show, the winner for this season will walk away with N100 million worth of prizes,” she said.

    According to her, following the completion of the online and physical auditions last November, the countdown is officially on for the seventh season of the show, which premieres on Feb. 6.

    Tejumola said that the show would be aired on Africa Magic Urban, Showcase and Family from 7 p.m.

    “There will also be a non-stop bonus content on DStv ch 197 and GOtv ch 29.

    “The live shows will start airing on March 20,” she said.

    The headline sponsor of Nigerian Idol season 7 is Bigi drinks, and the co-headline sponsor is Binance.

     

  • NBC Code: Netflix, Amazon, iROKOtv, Africa Magic may terminate investment in Nigeria

    NBC Code: Netflix, Amazon, iROKOtv, Africa Magic may terminate investment in Nigeria

    Content streaming service providers, Netflix and Amazon, as well as pay television channels, iROKOtv and Africa Magic are considering terminating additional investments in the Nigerian content industry,

    The four platforms have been forced to consider suspension of investments in Nigeria because of the 6th Broadcast Code recently released by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

     

    Creative and broadcasting industry sources disclosed that four platforms, which have invested immensely in local content production that are exclusive to them, are convinced that the new broadcast code is a huge threat to their investments, as it seeks to end exclusivity to broadcast properties and compel re-sale or sub-licensing to other broadcasters, including direct competitors. Sources told our correspondent that the new code makes exclusivity illegal, compels content sub-licensing and aims to regulate the prices at which content is sub-licensed.

     

    According to an industry source, the broadcast platforms view Sections 9.0.1 to 9.0.3 of the broadcast code represent a direct assault on investors, as it eat into the possibility of reaping dividends on their investments.

    “These sections prohibit broadcasters from entering into rights acquisition agreements that do not allow the sub-licensing of such rights in Nigeria. The implication is that any such agreement entered into is void,” she explained. An Enugu-based industry source also reasoned that Sections 9.1.1.8 to 9.1.1.11 of the Code are most injurious to investors in the industry.

     

    The sections provide that a broadcaster must sub-license a programme in any genre if such enjoys massive viewership among Nigerians. The implication of this, explained the source, is that investors, who fund the development of hit movies, series and shows, will be forced to sub-license that programme irrespective of whether or not they have recouped their investments.

     

    “This isn’t just silly, but also wicked. It amounts to uncompensated use of intellectual property. The proper thing is for a broadcaster to freely bid for, negotiate or acquire rights at prices dictated by the market and on terms acceptable to channel suppliers,” he said. He further explained that forced sub-licensing will inhibit investments, especially by foreigners in the content creation and broadcasting industry.

     

    “I wasn’t surprised to learn that Netflix and Amazon are fretting. They should fret because they have invested heavily in the acquisition of Nigerian content.

    “They are yet to recoup their investments, but you’re saying they must sell to competitors. Do you think other investors will be encouraged to come and invest? No. “AfricaMagic has spent tonnes of money buying and creating local content. They are right to panic. So is Irokotv,” he said.

    A former content creator clarified that the broadcasting industry is already a difficult terrain to operate and has been made worse by the new code. He stated that NBC is seeking to turn private enterprise into state property and be the one to determine the scale of dividends an investor should reap on his investment. He argued that broadcasters will invest only if they are certain that the content on their platforms will help differentiate their offerings and they are able to sufficiently recoup what they invested. He warned that NBC’s interference in broadcasters’ freedom to trade will discourage investment in the broadcasting industry. This, in turn, he said, will have a negative impact on the production sector and the wider economy.