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Tag: Netflix

  • Netflix hikes subscription plan by 21% in Nigeria

    Netflix hikes subscription plan by 21% in Nigeria

    Internationally renowned streaming platform, Netflix has increased its subscription prices in Nigeria for the first time in 2025, marking its third price hike since 2024.

    The Premium Plan now costs N8,500 per month, up from N7,000, a 21.43 per cent jump.

    The latest update on the company’s website also shows that the Standard Plan (HD quality and multi-screen support) now costs N6,500, up 18.18 per cent from N5,500.

    The Basic Plan has risen by 14.29 per cent from N3,500 to N4,000, while the Mobile Plan, Netflix’s most affordable tier, now goes for N2,500, up 13.64 per cent from N2,200.

    The company, in 2024 raised prices twice within three months, first in April and the second one in July.

    At the time, Netflix cited a global pricing strategy aimed at accelerating revenue and funding its growing slate of content.

    “As we invest in and improve Netflix, we’ll occasionally ask our members to pay a little extra to reflect those improvements,” the company noted in a letter to shareholders.

    “This helps drive the positive flywheel of additional investment to further improve and grow our service,” it added.

    Although Netflix hasn’t explicitly linked inflation to its recent price hike, the company recognized that adjustments in pricing are influenced by local market factors, which include taxes and inflation.

    The recent price increase by Netflix comes at a time of high inflation, which has caused the prices of various products and services to rise across the country.

    As Nigerians struggle with soaring food costs, home entertainment is becoming increasingly unaffordable for many families, particularly following a 50 percent increase in data costs by telecom operators.

    In addition, major pay-TV provider Multichoice Nigeria has raised its prices several times in the past year, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among Nigerians.

  • How Netflix rejection almost broke me – Ugwu

    How Netflix rejection almost broke me – Ugwu

    Arese Ugwu, a Nigerian author and filmmaker has revealed how she was almost broken when streaming giant Netflix refused to partner with her on a larger scale.

    The 39-year-old during a recent appearance on the Afropolitan podcast explained that she had approached Netflix for sponsorship to make her 2021 TV show following its success on the platform and Africa Magic, but the streaming giant turned her down.

    She added that she was shocked when she was turned down for a season 2.

    She said, “We were able to produce Season 1 of The Smart Money Woman and got a fantastic reception on Africa Magic and Netflix. We were in the top 10 for 13 weeks on Netflix. I then approached Netflix for sponsorship to make the project bigger and better, and shockingly, they turned me down. That rejection almost broke me.”

    Ugwu also spoke about her desire to become an established filmmaker and not just an author whose book was adapted for a film.

    “I want to establish myself as a filmmaker. I feel like some people still see me as the girl who wrote a book and the book was turned into a TV series,” she said.

  • ‘Bling Empire’ star, Lynn Ban is dead

    ‘Bling Empire’ star, Lynn Ban is dead

     Singaporean cast member of Netflix’s ‘Bling Empire,’ Lynn Ban has died at age 51.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the late actress son announced the sad news via a post on Instagram on Monday. He also described her as his “best friend” and the “funniest and coolest mum ever”.

    Ban’s death is coming weeks after she underwent brain surgery for a skiing accident that happened in Aspen, United States on Christmas Eve.

    Speaking about her surgery journey, Sebastian said she “smiled and fought” despite facing challenges.

    “My mum passed away on Monday. I know she wanted to share her journey after her accident and brain surgery, so I thought she would appreciate one last post sharing the news to people who supported her,” he wrote.

    “Many of you followed my mum but never got the chance to know her or meet her in person. I would like to take the chance to share who my mum really was. She was and always will be my best friend, the best mother to me, and someone who cared for all.

    “She always had a smile on her face even when times were tough during her recovery process. She was a fighter until the end and is the strongest woman I know. She was the funniest and coolest mum I could ever ask for.

    “She took care of me, my dad, and our entire family throughout her whole life. Although she may be gone now, I will do everything I can to make sure she is never forgotten and for her life to be celebrated as it deserves to be.

    “As a final message to my mum, I would just like to say that I will miss you forever and to end with something she always told me: “I love you more than life itself” mum.”

  • Dampyr tops Netflix Nigeria movie chart

    Dampyr tops Netflix Nigeria movie chart

    “Dampyr”, a movie about a human with vampire blood who harnesses his power to confront evil, has topped the Netflix film chart in Nigeria.

    ‘Ma’, a psychological horror movie, came in at second, while ‘Umjolo: My Beginning, My End!’, a romantic comedy movie, is ranked third on the chart.

    “The Six Tripped Eight”, a movie about a group of servicewomen to serve overseas during World War II, is fourth on the chart.

    Action movies, “Carry On” and “Bad Boys: Ride or Die”, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, are fifth and sixth respectively on the chart.

    “Kromoleo”, “The Wolf And The Lion” and “Lisabi: The Uprising’”, occupied the seventh, eighth and ninth positions.

    “Disaster Holiday”,  a comedy about a family who go on a chaotic but memorable vacation, completes the top 10.

  • Economic challenges: Netflix, Microsoft, other top ‘Multinationals’ that exited Nigeria in 2024

    Economic challenges: Netflix, Microsoft, other top ‘Multinationals’ that exited Nigeria in 2024

    Internationally renowned streaming platform, Netflix whom in 2016 established a significant partnership with Nollywood to enhance its presence in Nigeria when it began to collaborate on distribution rights of popular films and production of original content, such as Genevieve Nnaji’s Lionheart, the first Nigerian Netflix original had reportedly made known its intentions to leave the Nigerian movie market.

    Although the  Group Account Director, Edafe Onoriode, from Netflix’s public relations agency, Hill and Knowlton Strategies, had responded to the claims reiterating its commitment to Nigeria’s burgeoning creative industry, prominent filmmaker Kunle Afolayan during the recently held 2024 Zuma International Film Festival in Abuja confirmed that  Netflix has stopped commissioning Nigerian original content.

    According to the renowned filmmaker,  Netflix’s management informed filmmakers during a recent party that they would no longer fund Nigerian movies.

    Netflix, like other multi-national businesses, is closing or relocating due to many factors, including persistent economic issues, currency instability, and high operational expenses.

    This year undoubtedly proved to be one of the most challenging periods for businesses in Nigeria, and this is true, with the dynamics that so far trailed the removal of fuel subsidy, other economic policies from the Bola Tinubu-led administration such as the floating of naira which have somewhat exacerbated living costs, impact naira devaluation, and invariably constrained consumer spending power throughout this year.

    This, coupled with other macroeconomic malaise plaguing the nation in the past years, has resulted in many businesses exiting Nigeria since 2023.

    In this post, we’ll share the number of companies that left Nigeria in 2024 and the reasons for their exit.

    Pick n Pay

    South African retail giant Pick n Pay, which recently announced it will exit Nigeria, selling its 51% stake in a joint venture.

    In October, South African retail giant Pick n Pay, announced it will exit Nigeria, selling its 51% stake in a joint venture.

    The CEO, Sean Summers, explained that this aligns with the company’s restructuring efforts outside South Africa.

    Initially partnering with A.G. Leventis (Nigeria) in 2016, Pick n Pay opened its first Nigerian store in 2021, eventually operating two locations.

    Microsoft Nigeria

    In May, Microsoft, confirmed its plans to shut the Africa Development Centre, in Lagos Nigeria, explaining that it was part of its normal organizational workforce adjustments.

    Giving reason for its action, a top official at the company disclosed to newsmen that: “Microsoft has decided to close the Africa Development Centre in Nigeria. And as a result, some of our employees based in Nigeria will be impacted.

    “We will continue to operate in Nigeria, and we remain committed to Nigeria’s transformation objectives. As such we will continue to invest in our business and key growth areas in the region.

    “Organizational and workforce adjustments are a necessary and regular part of managing our business. We will continue to prioritize and invest in strategic growth areas for our future and in support of our customers and partners.“

    PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

    British consumer goods group PZ Cussons Plc,in September, announced its plans to sell its African subsidiaries, where Nigeria and Kenya are the main manufacturing hubs to any interested buyer.

    “‘Our FY24 reported results fell short of our initial expectations, primarily due to the macroeconomic developments in Nigeria which, as we indicated last year, would significantly affect our results,” the group disclosed in its earnings report.

    “The 70% currency devaluation over the course of the financial year has, therefore, caused a significant impact not only on our local business but also on the profitability and financial position of the Group.”

    Kimberly-Clark Nigeria

    In may, international multinational manufacturer of diapers and sanitary products, Kimberly-Clark, announced its plan to stop production of Huggies diapers and the sanitary pad brand Kotex in Nigeria.

    Kimberly-Clark confirmed that it is leaving Nigeria after almost 15 years in the country and less than three years after it opened a new US$100–million manufacturing facility in Ikorodu, Lagos.

    The company in a short press release, said that it is a “difficult decision” made due to “refocused company strategic priorities globally as well as economic developments in the country”.

    “Kimberly-Clark will close its manufacturing facility and commercial office in Lagos and will no longer manufacture, market, or sell its Huggies and Kotex products in the country,” the statement reads.

    “Consistent with Kimberly-Clark’s value of care, the company’s top priority will be to fulfil its obligations and ensure that employees and partners are treated with fairness and respect.” 

    Diageo PLC

    In June, Diageo, owners of Guinness announced it will exit the Nigerian market and sell off its controlling shares to Singaporean conglomerate Tolaram Group after operating in Nigeria since 1950 

    The brewery brand in a statement disclosed that its recorded a staggering N61.9 billion loss after tax between July 2023 and March 2024, just a few months after President Tinubu floated the naira in an effort to unify the currency’s value on the official and parallel foreign exchange markets.

    “Under the terms of an agreement signed today, 11 June 2024, Tolaram will acquire Diageo’s 58.02% shareholding in Guinness Nigeria royalty agreements for the continued production of the Guinness brand and its locally manufactured Diageo ready-to-drink and mainstream spirits brands,” the company said

    Total Energies Nigeria

    In Feburary, French oil major TotalEnergies announced plans to sell its minority stake, adding that  it wants to divest its share of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and is looking to reshape its portfolio since producing oil in the Niger Delta is not in line with its health, security and environmental policies.

    “We want to divest our share of SPDC, and we are looking to reshape the portfolio.

    “Fundamentally it’s because producing this oil in the Niger Delta is not in line with our (Health, Security and Environmental) policies, it’s a real difficulty,” Patrick Pouyanne, TotalEnergies chief executive officer was quoted by Reuters

  • Netflix reacts to reports of leaving Nigeria, declares stance

    Netflix reacts to reports of leaving Nigeria, declares stance

    Internationally renowned streaming platform, Netflix  has refuted reports suggesting that it plans on leaving Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the streaming giant had made its intention to leave Nigeria known, following the recent inflation figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics, highlighting the worsening economic landscape.

    Also, renowned Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan in a now-viral video, disclosed that Netflix had reportedly cancelled several commissioned projects.

    “Three years ago, when we signed the three-film deal with Netflix, it was really exciting,” Afolayan said.

    Expressing disappointment, the film maker, noted that  despite the global success of those films, Netflix appeared dissatisfied with their local returns.

    “Thank God we had shot seasons two and three… because all the other people that were commissioned with us at the same time were cancelled,” he added.

    However, responding to the speculation via an email sent to Punch, Netflix reiterated its commitment to Nigeria’s burgeoning creative industry.

    The Group Account Director, Edafe Onoriode, from Netflix’s public relations agency, Hill and Knowlton Strategies, shared the company’s official position.

    “We are not exiting Nigeria. We will continue to invest in Nigerian stories to delight our members,” Netflix spokesperson stated.

    It would be recalled that in 2016, Netflix established a significant partnership with Nollywood, enhancing its presence in Nigeria.

    This collaboration began with the acquisition of distribution rights for popular films and culminated in the production of original content, such as Genevieve Nnaji’s Lionheart, the first Nigerian Netflix original.

  • Just In: Netflix exits Nigeria’s movie market

    Just In: Netflix exits Nigeria’s movie market

    Nollywood faces a heavy blow as it is reported that the international movie streaming platform ‘Netflix’ has announced their cancellation of its Nigerian Originals eight years after it was launched.

    According to NollyWire, Netflix ceased operating in Nigeria since November 2024, and had cut off the financial backing that streaming platforms had been providing for Nigerian movie production. 

    The cancellation of Netflix marks a major setback for Nollywood’s efforts to achieve recognition globally. It’s also a heavy blow to Nigerian filmmakers who had relied on Netflix to bring their stories to international spectators.

    Netflix’s Executive in Charge of Licensing Originals David Karanja announced this departure in a goodbye post on LinkedIn.

    David Karanja wrote: “While the world is beginning to recognize the power of African voices and stories told by Africans, I believe we are on the brink of a watershed moment for African cinema and television, similar to the leaps we’ve seen in music.”

    Comfirming the development, prominent Nigerian Filmaker Kunle Afolayan who spoke at 2024 Zuma Film Festival disclosed that the international streaming platform had ceased commissioning new Nigerian originals.

    He also revealed that, he was lucky enough to secure a third season for his hit series ‘Anikulapo’ before Netflix’s decision.

    Kunle Afolayan described the recent happening as a big blow to the industry and also as a wake-up call for the movie industry. The filmmaker called on the Nigerian government to invest in Nigerian film industry.

  • Again, NETFLIX jacks up subscription price

    Again, NETFLIX jacks up subscription price

    Just three months after the last price hike, Netflix has once again raised its subscription fees in Nigeria. The increase affects all subscription packages, with significant percentage hikes across the board.

     

    According to Netflix, this change aims to accelerate revenue and earnings growth to support the expansion of its content offerings.

     

    With the latest price increase, Nigerians will now pay N7,000 monthly for Netflix’s Premium Plan, a 40% increase from the previous rate of N5,000. The Standard Plan subscription, popular for its HD quality and multi-screen viewing options, has increased by 37.5%, from N4,000 to N5,500. The Basic Plan, previously N2,900, has increased by 21% to N3,500. Meanwhile, the Mobile Plan, the lowest subscription option, has seen an 83% increase, rising from N1,200 to N2,200.

     

    It’s worth recalling that Netflix had previously raised subscription prices for Nigerian users in April 2024.

  • Nigerians to pay more as Netflix hikes subscription plan

    Nigerians to pay more as Netflix hikes subscription plan

    Netflix on Wednesday announced a price adjustment for its subscriptions in Nigeria, with the Premium Plan now set at N7,000 per month, up from N5,000.

    The adjustment is coming three months after the platform increased its subscription plans in April 2024.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) observed that the increased prices are already visible on the streaming giant  page, however, no formal notice has been sent to streaming consumers at the time of filing this report.

    The lowest subscription plan, ‘Mobile’, has increased by 83 per cent from N1,200 to N2,200, while the Basic package, rose by 21 per cent from N2,900 to N3,500.

    The Standard plan subscription with great video quality in Full HD (1080p), watched ad-free on any phone, tablet, computer or TV and available for download on two devices increased by 37.5 per cent from N4,000 to N5,500.

    The Premium package with video quality in Ultra HD (4K) and HDR, available for downloads on six devices increased from N5,000 to N7,000 by a percentage surge of 40 per cent.

    Recall that the streaming giant had noted on its website, that price change would be a reflection of local market changes such as taxes and inflation.

    “As we continue to add more TV shows and movies and introduce new product features, our plans and prices may change. We also may adjust plans and pricing to respond to local market changes, such as changes to local taxes or inflation.

    “If your price is changing, Netflix will send you an email with details about the price change one month before the billing date on which your price will increase,”Netlix wrote.

  • Netflix announces full cast of Wednesday season 2

    Netflix announces full cast of Wednesday season 2

    Netflix has announced the full cast for the second season of it global hit series Wednesday, set to release soon.

    In the official trailer for Wednesday Season 2, the Hand is first seen dragging a letter box and stopping one at a time at a row of doors along a corridor to deliver letters to the original and new casts to the show: Joy Sunday as Bianca, Joanna Lumley as Grandmama, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia, Emma Myers as Enid, Steven Buscemi as Barry Dort, Billy Piper as Capri, Thandiwe Newton as Dr Fairburn, and Jenna Ortega as Wednesday.

    As the character Wednesday picks up her script, the title “Chapter One: Here We Woe Again” written by Alfred Gough and Miles Miller, and directed by Tim Burton appears onscreen.

    Film end credits features other actors as Victor Dorobantu, Moosa Mostafa, Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo, Georgie Farmer, Isaac Ordonez and Hunter Doohan as part of the main cast, and Jamie McShane, Frances O’Connor, Haley Joel Osment, Heather Matarazzo, Joonas Suotamo, Fred Armisen and Christopher Lloyd as guest stars.

    Noticeable absent is Canadian actor, Percy Hynes White who played psychic student Xavier Thorpe in Season One. White was dropped following allegations of sexual misconduct last year which he denied. Though it hadn’t stopped him filming a romantic teenager comedy with his former Wednesday co-star Jenna Ortega in the film Winter, Spring Summer or Fall set to premiere at the Tribeca Festival on June 6 and 7, 2024.