When the federal government launched the Digital Switch Over (DSO) programme in 2006, the capacity of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) operators in the country needed to be stronger to drive the national spread envisioned.
The first major capacity expansion needed came in 2011, when leading pay TV company, MultiChoice Nigeria, launched the GOtv Nigeria brand. The launch entailed significant investment in cutting-edge technology, which enabled GOtv to, from inception, deliver its programming via the second-generation DVB-T2 technology.
Riding on the most up-to-date technology, GOtv, within a short time, established itself as the country’s biggest DTT service provider by offering a different television-viewing experience through premium audio-visual quality to households in 46 cities across 25 states.
The programming line-up further enriched the experience, with channels that speak directly to the audience. Indigenous language channels such as Africa Magic Showcase, Africa Magic Epic, Africa Magic Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa tell stories with which the audience can relate.
The popularity of Nigerian audio-visual content around the continent can hardly be divorced from the exposure that GOtv provides through the channels listed.
The channels are, of course, fed by local content creators, who are grateful for GOtv Nigeria’s patronage, which also enables them to raise quality as well as create more employment opportunities for Nigerians. Also, as part of its design to create employment, GOtv Nigeria created a series of successful skill impartation and entrepreneurship initiatives. These include Sabiman and canvassers schemes.
Since its launch in 2016, GOtv has engaged over 8,000 youth via its Sabiman and Canvasser schemes, reaching 50,0000 communities with 9,000 canvassers and over 10,000 dealers.
The Sabiman scheme was established to help selected applicants resolve various technical issues for GOTv subscribers. The programme trains participants on the basics of service activation, response to customer inquiries, and general resolution of issues. The programme also ensures that beneficiaries receive practical tutelage from seasoned facilitators on methods of handling inquiries. Under the GOtv ‘Canvasser scheme successful applicants are provided with basic marketing skills to enable them to make GOtv products more accessible to subscribers.
For a brand spreading digital broadcasting footprints in rural communities, these foot soldiers are key to information and technical support of customers. According to Beauty Nwaka, a beneficiary, the Sabiman initiative has been worth the effort. “My job as an agent is an outdoor-to-outdoor marketing strategy that enables us to meet our customers and find solutions to their recharging problems, and reconnection issues.
“I have been on the project for some years now and I can tell you it has been very good working as a Sabiman. GOtv always pays the agreed percentage as at when due. Sometimes, they challenge us with targets and promise to give us more money if we meet our targets and when we do, they never default on their promise”.
Speaking on the startup kit, Aghadiuno Chiamaka Benedicta, a Sabiman based in Onitsha, said: “GOtv gave us many start-up items including a POS machine loaded with a refundable fee of 20,000 to start my business, which went a long way for me. I was also given branded items like t-shirts and other items to let people know that we work for GOtv.”
The Sabiman and Canvasser programme has turned several Nigerian youths into micro-business owners. As GOtv celebrates its 13th anniversary, its socio-economic contributions are clear, with commitments to greater impact in years to come.
Adedapo Adesanya