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Nollywood to Get N100b from DSO

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By Dipo Olowookere

The Digital Switch Over (DSO) in Broadcasting is set to create a N100 billion Naira per annum FreeTV distribution network for Nollywood, among a number of positive spin-offs, the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, disclosed on Thursday.

Speaking at the launch of the DSO in Abuja, the Minister also listed job creation, 30 free digital channels, free and easy access to Government and Public information through a touch of the remote control, current affairs and news available through the middleware on the boxes and a world class Electronic Programme Guide that will make television viewing an unbeatable experience

“We have watched our beloved Nollywood move from VHS tapes to VCD to DVD, and whereas the whole world has moved to digital consumption of content with its attendant benefits and democratisation of distribution, we have been constrained by limited penetration of Internet in our homes.

“With the middleware in our Set-top boxes/Receiving equipment, homes will be able to buy and watch the latest Nollywood movies without the need for Internet. Imagine a film released on Monday morning being immediately available to 24 million plus households at the touch of a button,” he said

In his speech entitled ‘The Best of Television For All Nigerians,’ Mr Mohammed said the local manufacture of set-top boxes, which has already begun, is already extending to local Smart TV and Tablet manufacturing, thus creating jobs.

“With our strong consumer base, we can quickly become the supplier of these equipment to the whole of West Africa. As we speak, jobs are already being created as we engage Engineers, Technicians, Retailers, Distributors and Marketers, among others,” he said.

The Minister said the Electronic Program Guide will also be a platform for Application (App) developers to create products that will make life easier for the home consumers, thereby creating and promoting an industry of developers that will operate in both the Television and Telecoms industries.

In addition, he said, the increase in Free-To- Air channels and the separation of transmission from content aggregation will spur an increase in TV production activities, as the channels will now be able to focus on their TV shows and harness the variety of human and creative skills to compete to become the most watched channel.

Mr Mohammed said the DSO would also help to grow the TV advertising market by $400 million per annum through audience measurement, adding: “Our digital environment will give equal opportunity to everyone to be rewarded for investment in creativity, and that is what the regime of forensic Audience Measurement, which Digitisation offers, will afford. If it is your programme people are watching, you will be the recipient of higher revenues because the advertisers will run to you.”

He reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to meeting the deadline of June 2017 for the analogue to digital switch over in Nigeria and other West African countries, as set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

The Minister commended Pinnacle Communications, the signal distributor for the Abuja DSO, for its massive investment that heralded the success of the launch, as well as the National Broadcasting Commission, Digiteam, content aggregators CCNL, software provider Inview, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria and RATTAWU.

The Pilot Scheme of the DSO was launched in Jos, Plateau State, on 30 April 2016, after two previous failures – in 2012 and 2015.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, commissioned the Abuja DSO at the offices of Pinnacle Communications Ltd.

The President said the Federal Government is ”irreversibly committed” to meeting the June 2017 deadline for the switch over and congratulated the Minister of Information, the Director General of NBC, Pinnacle Communications and Set-top box manufacturers SMK ”for a world class performance on this switch over”.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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Veteran Nigerian Actor Kola Oyewo Dies at 80

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By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Veteran Nigerian actor, Mr Kola Oyewo, is reported to have breathed his last at the age of 80.

A popular Nollywood actor, Mr Kunle Afod, confirmed the news of the passing of the scholar, dramatist and filmmaker on Friday in a post on his Instagram page.

Before his passing, Mr Afod recently visited the university teacher at his residence, where he made monetary donations to him.

In his post on Friday, he announced the death of the thespian, saying “Tonight, we lost a true legend. Kola Oyewo has taken his final bow.”

“His remarkable talent, timeless performances, and immense contributions to the Nigerian theatre and film industry will never be forgotten. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come,” he further wrote.

Recall that in an interview with Mr Afod, the deceased disclosed how his battle with prostate enlargement affected his acting career, which spanned over six decades.

Mr Oyewo began his acting career in 1964 with the Oyin Adejobi Theatre Group after he was born on March 27, 1946, in Oba-Ile, Osun State.

During his lifetime, he acted in several movies, including Saworoide, Super Story, Sango, and Koseegbe, amongst others. He also played the role of Odewale in Ola Rotimi’s play, The Gods Are Not to Blame.

In 1996, he became a lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University and retired in September 2011 as a senior lecturer. He later moved to Redeemer’s University as the Head of the Department of Dramatic Art. He later worked at Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, as a performing arts lecturer.

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Watching BBN and the World Cup Is No Longer a Location Thing

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Big Brother Naija Reunion is on, the World Cup tournament is kicking off, or that new DStv/GOtv series everyone has been talking about just dropped, and somehow, you’re not at home. Maybe you’re in traffic, at work, or just not near a TV. In moments like these, the real question is no longer “what’s showing?” but “how do I not miss it?”

That shift is precisely why the DStv and GOtv Stream have become more than just viewing platforms. They are now part of how people actually experience television on the move, at home, on phones, and in real time.”

Whether it’s someone trying to catch a live show while commuting, watching highlights during a break at work, or simply preferring to stream directly from their device instead of using a decoder, these apps have quietly changed how entertainment is consumed.

But beyond streaming and access, many users still don’t fully understand how to navigate them properly. Here’s a simple guide.

1. Getting Started

Download the DStv Stream or GOtv Stream app from your device’s app store and sign in using your DStv or GOtv account details.

Once you’re logged in, you’ll land on the home page, where you’ll find a mix of live TV, recommended content, trending titles, and recently added shows.

2. Watching Live TV

One of the easiest ways to use the platform is through the Live TV section.

Simply:

  • Tap on Live TV

  • Browse available channels

  • Select the channel you want

  • Start watching instantly

This is especially useful for:

  • Big Brother Naija live broadcasts

  • Football matches and tournaments

  • News coverage

  • Reality shows

  • Live events

You can move between channels just as you would on a decoder.

3. Finding Shows and Movies

For viewers who already know what they want to watch, the search feature offers a quick way to find specific shows, movies, channels, or sporting events without scrolling through categories.

The platform also organizes content into categories, making it easier to discover something new.

4. Catch Up on Missed Episodes

If you missed an episode because you were busy, the catch-up feature allows you to watch selected programs after they have aired. Instead of waiting for reruns, you can simply search for the show and pick up right where you left off. This feature is especially useful during busy periods when it can be difficult to keep up with daily shows.

5. Explore Recommended and Trending Content

The home page regularly highlights:

  • Trending shows

  • Newly added content

  • Popular movies

  • Recommended titles based on viewing habits

If you’re not sure what to watch next, this section can help you discover content you may have otherwise missed.

6. Accessing Showmax Content

One of the biggest additions to the streaming experience is the integration of Showmax content.

Viewers can now access a wide range of Showmax movies, series, and entertainment content directly through the streaming platform, making it easier to move between live TV and on-demand viewing without constantly switching services.

From international blockbusters to local favorites, there’s significantly more content available to explore.

7. Creating a Personal Viewing Experience

The platform allows users to:

  • Continue watching from where they stopped

  • Save favorite content

  • Browse viewing history

  • Discover personalized recommendations

This makes it easier to keep track of ongoing series and find content that matches your interests.

With the DStv Stream and GOtv Stream, live channels, catch-up viewing, on-demand entertainment, and Showmax content are all available in one place, making it easier than ever to watch what you want, when you want, and wherever you are.

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Drama, Tears, and Showdowns: BBNaija Reunion Starts on Heated Note

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BBNaija Season 10 Reunion

The Big Brother Naija Season 10 reunion kicked off yesterday, and honestly, nobody was prepared for how quickly things went from zero to heated. From unresolved tensions to emotional confessions, it looks like the housemates came ready to finally say everything they’ve been holding back.

If episode one is anything to go by, the rest of the reunion is set to be explosive.

Here are some of the highlights from Episode 1 of the reunion:

Sabrina opened up about her early exit, saying that if she had stayed longer, viewers would have seen more of her personality, and that a love interest storyline likely wouldn’t have happened.

Tracy reflected on her time in the house, admitting she didn’t feel emotionally prepared for the experience. She also expressed that while she wanted a deeper connection with Kuture, things felt too physical for her.

Zita revisited her time in the house as well, insisting her fight with Mide was not performative and that she often felt cornered by how things played out. Mide, however, pushed back, saying Zita misunderstood her intentions and that she is not condescending.

Zita and Danboskid also addressed their failed “ship,” finally laying the relationship drama to rest.

Thelma had an emotional moment while defending herself in the Isabella and Kayinkumi situation, with tensions rising further when Big Soso jumped into the conversation, escalating things between her and Thelma.

We also saw more tension unfold between Tega and Thelma, with revelations that added even more weight to their already strained dynamic.

And just when we thought it couldn’t get any hotter, the episode ended on a cliffhanger, with Kola and Doris going head-to-head, leaving viewers waiting for what comes next.

If this is just episode one, the rest of the reunion promises nothing short of chaos, clarity, and confrontations.

Big Brother Naija S10 reunion is clearly not holding back this year. You can catch all the drama at 10 pm on Africa Magic Showcase and 10:30 pm on Africa Magic Family on DStv and GOtv.

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