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Coronavirus Could Wipe More Than $5bn in Film Revenue

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Accelerate Filmmaker Project

By Adedapo Adesanya

With the global shipping industry facing a $1.7 billion loss on the heels of coronavirus, the global film industry could face a higher loss – as preventive measures such as avoiding public spaces may restrict releases and prevent people from visiting the cinemas.

Analysts believe COVID-19 could already result in a loss of at least $5 billion from weakened box office revenue and impacted production as scheduled releases are been pushed to a future date.

Reports show that movie theatres have been closed in China, where the disease originated for weeks and with recent spread into major film markets like Japan, the United States, South Korea, Italy, and other countries, they may be a similar reaction.

The $5 billion could grow if movie-going falters in other markets, such as Japan, which is the third biggest film market in the world, where schools are already closing down and in the US, where there have been 100 confirmed cases and more than 10 deaths so far.

According to a report by the Hollywood Reporter, China, which is the world’s second-largest market in terms of cinemas (70,000), remain closed amid the outbreak, and as both Hollywood and local studios have started pushing back releases, the impact are already been felt on the economy.

For instance, it was disclosed that ticket sales in the traditional Chinese New Year holiday period, from January 24 to February 2020, were as low as $4.2 million, compared with $1.76 billion over the same period in 2019.

In China’s Asian neighbour, South Korea, which is the world’s fifth largest movie market and with over 6,000 cases confirmed in a little over a month, revenue was down by 80 percent year-over-year.

It was gathered that revenue went down by 70 percent in February 2020 as ticket sales brought in $52 million from 7.3 million tickets compared to $185 million from 22.3 million tickets in February 2019.

It was revealed that in Italy, almost half of cinemas have been shut down since the virus, with over 3,000 cases and 107 deaths, has led governments to impose restrictions – that also affected its football league – in the northern part of the country.

As a result of this, revenue has fallen 44 percent in the first week of closure with total receipts down by 76 percent according to the country’s media authority.

With cases in Italy, the first in Europe, other countries like France have called for a temporary stop to all indoor events with more than 5,000 people in attendance, and Switzerland has banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people until 15 March. This may further contribute to plunge in global film revenue for the year.

Audiences in the Middle East are also reportedly staying away from cinemas following multiple confirmed cases of COVID-19 while Africa which hasn’t recorded a lot of cases and has not felt this.

On Wednesday, the BBC reported that the release of the new James Bond film: “No Time to Die” was pushed back by seven months as coronavirus continues to spread. It will now come out in the UK on November 12, and in the US on November 25.

Many other movies may follow as film companies have started cancelling events.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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The Final Chapter of BBNaija Season 10 Begins at the Reunion

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BBNaija Season 10 Reunion

After ten weeks of twists, shifting alliances, emotional confrontations and unforgettable moments, the BBNaija Season 10 house may have closed its doors, but many of the conversations it sparked never truly ended.

Now, months after Imisi emerged victorious and walked away with the ₦150 million grand prize, all 29 housemates are set to return for the Season 10 Reunion, hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu. As anticipation builds for BBNaija Season 11, the reunion offers fans one final opportunity to revisit the stories that kept the 10/10 season at the centre of conversation.

And if there’s one thing viewers know about BBNaija reunions, it’s that they have a way of bringing unfinished business back to the surface.

For starters, fans will be eager to hear from Dede and Kola, whose complicated dynamic generated countless conversations throughout the season. What exactly was happening between them? Was it friendship, attraction, strategy, or a little bit of everything? Months later, many viewers are still searching for answers.

Then there is Victory and Gigi Jasmine, whose rollercoaster relationship became one of the season’s most talked-about storylines. From mixed signals and emotional conversations to unexpected decisions that left viewers divided, theirs was a relationship that rarely lacked drama. The reunion could finally reveal where things stand between them today.

Questions also remain around Faith, one of the season’s most controversial and talked-about housemates. His journey from strong contender to disqualification sparked intense debate among fans and fellow housemates alike. With Sultana and Imisi both playing significant roles in some of the season’s biggest conversations involving him, the reunion may provide long-awaited clarity on one of the defining storylines of the season.

Of course, no look back at the 10/10 season would be complete without revisiting the relationships that captured viewers’ attention. Fans will be curious to know whether connections such as Koyin and Isabella’s survived beyond the house, evolved into something more, or simply became part of the BBNaija experience.

There are also questions surrounding Jason Jae, whose interactions with Joanna, Sultana and Dede kept fans speculating throughout the season. Was he simply playing the game, following genuine connections, or navigating a complicated mix of both? The reunion may finally offer some answers.

Meanwhile, Bright Morgan and Mide’s relationship remained one of the season’s most debated situationships. With emotions, misunderstandings and unanswered questions lingering after the show, viewers will undoubtedly be looking forward to hearing their perspectives now that months have passed.

Beyond the individual stories, the reunion is also an opportunity for housemates to reflect on the alliances, rivalries and decisions that shaped one of the most unpredictable seasons in BBNaija history. Friendships were tested, loyalties shifted, and housemates often found themselves on opposite sides of conversations that dominated social media week after week.

Whether it’s old rivalries, unresolved tensions, surprising reconciliations or long-awaited explanations, fans can expect the conversations they have been waiting months to hear.

The BBNaija Season 10 Reunion premieres on June 8 at 10:00 PM WAT on Africa Magic Showcase and Africa Magic Family. Episodes will be available on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream, ensuring viewers never miss a moment of the revelations, resolutions and memorable conversations that await.

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Nigerian Actor Adesina Okiki Janmole Dies in Fatal Auto Crash

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Adesina Okiki Janmole

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A fatal auto crash has claimed the life of a Nigerian actor, Mr Adesina Okiki, otherwise known as Janmole.

The death of the thespian was confirmed on Tuesday by the president of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Mr Abolaji Amusan, popularly known as Mr Latin.

In a post on his Facebook page today, the comic actor said, “May the soul of our departed colleague, Adesina Okiki Janmole, who tragically lost his life in an accident, rest in perfect peace.

“May God grant his family, friends, and colleagues the strength and comfort to bear this irreparable loss. He will be greatly missed. Amen.”

The demise of this comedian and filmmaker comes a few weeks after the Nigerian film industry lost Alexx Ekubo to cancer.

During his lifetime, Janmole, who died in a road accident on Monday, acted in several movies. He was known for his humour, screen presence and contributions to the Yoruba movie industry.

About four years ago, he survived a fire incident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, an experience many believed he had narrowly escaped.

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Africa Magic to Air BBNaija Season 10 Reunion June 8

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BBNaija Season 10 Reunion

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Lovers of the popular Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) reality television show will have the opportunity to watch the BBNaija Season 10 Reunion Show.

The programme, to be hosted by media personality, Mr Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, will premiere on Monday, 8 June 2026, at 10 pm WAT on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151 | GOtv Channel 8) and Africa Magic Family (DStv Channel 154 | GOtv Channel 7), with each episode available on the DStv Stream and GOtv Stream apps the following day.

The reunion show will feature all 29 housemates. Fans can follow all reunion updates using the hashtag #BBNaijaReunion across social media platforms and Africa Magic for exclusive clips and behind-the-scenes content.

On October 5, 2025, the BBNaija Season 10 came to an end, with Opeyemi Ayanwale, popularly known as Imisi, emerging champion with 42.84 per cent of the public votes.

The 23-year-old fashion designer and actress from Oyo State walked away with a grand prize of N150 million, including N80 million in cash and a brand-new Innoson SUV.

The reunion is expected to address several unresolved storylines from the season, including the disqualification of housemate Faith in the final week following a physical altercation with Sultana. The season also produced some of its most viral moments in years, including a spoon-related standoff that dominated X for days and a series of romantic entanglements that split fan bases across the continent.

Season 10 was considered one of the most exciting editions of the show to date, introducing the Bag of Big Twists, a red telephone delivering random instructions from Biggie, a restructured Head of House challenge and an Influential Player of the Week feature.

With plans for a new season already in motion, the BBNaija 10 over 10 reunion show is set to officially close conflicts, encourage clarifications and allow the housemates to lay it all bare to the viewers and themselves one last time.

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