Showbiz
GOtv: Bridge Between Entertainment and Culture Preservation
In the age of globalisation, there is an inherent risk of cultural dilution, misrepresentation, and possibly extinction. But in this era, the Nigerian entertainment and culture projection is on an upward trajectory. Afrobeats is now a global phenomenon. Nollywood and the Nigerian fashion industry are attracting global attention and investment like never before, and our talents gaining global recognition.
This new evolution is not from the blue. It is a result of years of deliberate focus on promoting indigenous content: movies, shows, and programmes that project traditions and narratives that might otherwise be overshadowed by the global mainstream.
The broadcast media, especially the Digital Terrestrial Television platforms, have been major contributors to this development. Key in this regard is GOtv, which is the market leader. With an array of dedicated local content channels, GOtv broadcasts shows, events, movies and other content that project the diverse culture and heritage of Nigerian communities directly into millions of homes.
“I think it is important for us to know that even the Nigerian audience has been revolutionised. A platform like Africa Magic has reconnected us to who we are. It permitted us to be all that we can be as Africans, embracing our stories, history and heritage, and it is on these legs that we can go to the world and stand tall. In an era of globalisation, unless you know and express who you are uniquely in this world, you are very likely to be irrelevant,” said ace movie producer, Femi Odugnemi.
Africa Magic currently has seven channels (AM Showcase, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, AM Epic, Family and AM Urban). The channels are dedicated to indigenous stories that tell unique African stories that reflect the everyday lives of African communities. Six of these channels are available on GOtv, which makes the platform a catalyst for preserving and evolving the rich cultural heritage of communities.
In celebration of Africa Magic’s 20th anniversary, MultiChoice announced that the platform had produced over 35,000 hours of indigenous content. The rich collection of Africa Magic originals such as Battleground, Ajoche, Riona, Irora Iya, Enakhe, and Hotel Majestic, among others, have graced GOtv channels over the years.
According to Caroline Oghuma, Executive Head, Corporate Affairs, MultiChoice (West Africa), GOtv celebrates and promotes the rich culture, customs and traditions of Nigeria and Africa with its reach and affordability. “GOtv is a digital fusion of high-quality entertainment and affordability. At MultiChoice, we invest heavily in local content, by commissioning and licensing stories that project the culture and heritage of Africa, in line with global production standards. These stories convey our rich values, beliefs and traditions while providing top-notch entertainment to the audience. And we make the rich array of content available to lower-income customers in rural and urban communities, via the GOtv platform,” Oghuma said.
Beyond the realms of fiction, reality TV shows and music programmes air constantly across GOtv channels. Nigeria’s music industry has become a global force, and GOtv ensures that this phenomenon is not confined to exclusive spaces. Through music channels that spotlight both established and emerging artists, GOtv celebrates the richness that emanates from every corner of the country. From Afrobeat to highlife, viewers experience the heartbeat of Nigeria through their screens.
Speaking further, Oghuma said the company is taking customer experience on GOtv a notch higher with the newly launched live stream app. “GOtv Stream reshapes the content consumption pattern of GOtv customers by offering real-time access to their favourite content. The introduction of GOtv Stream underscores our commitment to delivering top-quality service, powered by innovation and technology to our customers.
“GOtv Stream also enables a personal viewing experience and connection, as it grants users the flexibility to create up to four profile accounts, download preferred content for offline viewing, create a watchlist and control content suggestions on the app,” she added.
GOtv’s impact is not confined to urban centres. It extends to the farthest corners of Nigeria. In rural communities, GOtv is a window to the broader world of Nigerian culture, which affords families to gather around their screens, and share moments that resonate with their personal experiences.
GOtv services are currently accessible in 46 cities across 25 states of the country. By matching reach, top-quality indigenous content with affordability for customers, GOtv continues to be a vehicle of culture transmission and preservation in Nigeria and by extension, Africa.
Some kids want superheroes. Some want animals. Others will happily sit through a funny story about a girl trying to figure out boarding school after being raised by goats.
That last one is Goat Girl, one of the new shows joining the kids’ lineup on GOtv this August. The series follows 13-year-old Gigi as she leaves the mountain life she knows behind and starts boarding school, where making friends and understanding human behaviour turn out to be a whole new adventure.
And Gigi is not the only new character young viewers will be meeting this month. August brings imaginative adventures, rescue missions, comedy, LEGO chaos and stories about friendship and family, giving different kinds of kids plenty to find themselves in.
For Kids Who Love a Rescue Mission: RoboGobo Season 2
Some children will always choose the show where somebody needs saving, and that is where RoboGobo comes in. Dax and the rescue team are back with upgraded Robo-Suits that can transform into Robo-Vehicles as they continue helping animals in trouble.
Season 2 airs Saturdays and Sundays at 12:25 pm on Disney Junior GOtv Ch 82.
For the Ones Who Want Something Funny: Goat Girl
Gigi’s story is probably not what you would call a normal school experience. Raised by mountain goats, the 13-year-old has to adjust to boarding school and figure out how to fit into a world that is very different from the one she knows. Her attempts to navigate friendships, school and human behaviour make Goat Girl an unusual and funny addition to the lineup.
It airs Monday to Friday at 5:20 pm on Cartoon Network GOtv Ch 89.
For the LEGO Fans: LEGO City: No Limits MAX
If your child can turn almost anything into an adventure, LEGO City: No Limits MAX should keep them busy. Jason and his friends find themselves dealing with zombies, cowboys, strange creatures and one particularly mysterious banana. Basically, you never quite know what is coming next.
The new series airs Monday to Friday at 4:20 pm from August 17 on Cartoon Network GOtv Ch 89.
For the Ones Who Love Family Stories: Wylde Pak
Lily and Jack are half-siblings who suddenly have to spend the summer together, while also helping out with their family’s pet grooming business. Naturally, things do not go smoothly.
Wylde Pak follows the pair as they navigate sibling rivalry, a new family dynamic and the everyday chaos that comes with working together. It is a story about family, friendship and figuring out how to get along when you have no choice but to spend time together.
Catch it Monday to Friday at 5:15 pm on NickToons GOtv Ch 86.
Something for Every Kind of Kid
The best thing about this month’s lineup is that there is no single type of child it is trying to entertain.
The little ones can follow Maisy’s imagination. The animal lovers have RoboGobo. Kids who enjoy unusual comedy can meet Gigi in Goat Girl. LEGO fans have another adventure to get into, while Wylde Pak brings family and sibling drama into the mix.
So when the inevitable “Mummy, what can I watch?” comes up during the holidays, you already have a few answers.
And with new stories arriving across CBeebies, Disney Junior, Cartoon Network and NickToons, they might not run out of things to watch anytime soon.
To upgrade, subscribe or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. For catch-up and on-the-go viewing, download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.
The Big Brother Naija Season 11 housemates facing possible eviction this week are Tram, Barry, Goddessa, Yusuf, Temi Nkem, Sultex, Abi, Araga, Flora, Nomy, Ricky, Kamsy, Sheba, Oyin, Keivo, Gerad and Bells.
The 17 housemates emerged from this week’s nomination process, which saw the housemates vote to save three of their fellow housemates from possible eviction.
Conspiracy Hour
Ahead of the nomination process, Biggie announced Conspiracy Hour, giving the housemates the opportunity to rally together, discuss their thoughts and share who they would like to save ahead of the nominations.
This was followed by the nomination process, where the housemates were asked to save three of their fellow housemates from possible eviction. Chimsom Chuka, the Most Influential Player of the Week, Neche, the Head of House, and Nomy, the Benchwarmer, were exempt from the process.
Cassi, Bluethopia and Gerad were initially saved by their fellow housemates. However, as Head of House, Neche had the power to remove one housemate from the list and chose to remove Gerad.
Neche Wins Head of House Challenge
Neche emerged as this week’s Head of House after going head-to-head with Chimsom Chuka in the final round of the Head of House challenge.
The final stage was an endurance test, with Neche outlasting Chimsom Chuka to claim the Head of House position and its accompanying privileges, including immunity from this week’s nominations.
Biggie Introduces BB Bucks
Biggie also introduced the housemates to BB Bucks, the official currency of the Big Brother house.
The BB Bucks have no value outside the house but can be earned through tasks, challenges and other activities. While the housemates can earn BB Bucks, they can also lose them depending on how they choose to use them.
The BB Marketplace will also open in the house, giving the housemates the opportunity to spend their BB Bucks on items and privileges available to them during their stay.
Voting Is Now Open
With the nomination process completed, voting is now open, giving viewers the opportunity to decide which of the nominated housemates will remain in the competition.
Fans can cast their votes through the MyDStv app, MyGOtv app or the official Africa Magic website before voting closes at 9:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Catch all the drama live and 24/7 on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 49. BBNaija Season 11 is also available to watch on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream.
For updates and exclusive news, visit the official Africa Magic Big Brother Naija page or join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #BBNaija.
The Big Brother Naija Season 11 House has recorded its first evictions on Sunday night, with Martins and Mercedes leaving the competition after polling the fewest votes from viewers.
Speaking with host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu after his eviction, Martins remained positive about what comes next, saying he plans to surprise the world with his next steps outside the House.
For Mercedes, the eviction was not something she considered a loss. She said she gave the experience everything she had and was proud of how she spent her time in the House. On what comes next, she revealed plans to perform globally while continuing to build her massage and concierge businesses. She also shared that one of her priorities is paying for her father’s surgery.
Chimsom Chuka Takes the First Most Influential Player of the Week (MIPOW) Title
While two housemates said goodbye to Biggie’s House, the evening also brought a new advantage for Chimsom Chuka, who emerged as the first Most Influential Player of the Week (MIPOW). The title earned him the betPawa Elite Award and immunity from next week’s eviction.
This adds another layer to the competition as the remaining housemates settle into the reality of the game, with strategies, alliances, and individual influence already beginning to take shape.
Nomy Receives Strike and Final Warning
Moments before the live eviction show, Big Brother summoned the housemates for a meeting following repeated violations of his instructions by Nomy. After addressing the importance of following the House rules, Big Brother issued Nomy a strike and final warning, making it clear that housemates cannot choose which of his instructions to follow.
With two housemates already out of the competition and Chimsom Chuka holding immunity for the coming week, the race for the N160 million grand prize is fast heating up.
Keep up with all the drama, suspense and gameplay in Big Brother Naija Season 11 on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 49, or watch it live on DStv Stream. Download the DStv Stream app and sign up – no dish, no decoder needed.
