Showbiz
Local Content Powers African Dreams
At a time when Africa’s people are navigating a series of cost-of-living shocks and commercial margins are under relentless pressure, organisations can achieve long-term business sustainability by focusing on the service they provide, and the value it can generate for their customers.
This may not be the time for record-setting revenues – particularly for businesses dependent on the discretionary spending of hard-hit consumers. However, it can be an exciting time for African enterprises to embrace the purpose that first inspired them, and to focus on living that purpose.
For pan-African entertainment group MultiChoice Africa, this is precisely such a time. The Group has a long history of creating relevant local content for the 50 continental markets in which it operates. Its financial position remains strong, with significant growth in business units such as Showmax (customers up 44% year-on-year), DStv internet (revenue up 85%) and its BetKings spots-betting operation (revenue up 76%), but there is an understanding that customers are under pressure, and their needs must come first.
Investing in content
That means investing in the product, producing content that will add value for Africans – creating the culturally relevant shows that allow you, as an African, to see yourself in the content you consume, but also as a financial investment in the growth of an industry.
That ongoing MultiChoice investment added more than 5 340 hours of locally produced films and shows over the past financial year, growing the Group’s local-content library to 91 470 hours. Flagship reality shows like Big Brother Mzansi and Big Brother Naija are in the vanguard of this content drive, attracting strong viewership, along with the Group’s ever-popular global sport offering.
SuperSport broadcast 47 839 hours of live coverage last year and produced 1 029 live events. Viewers stayed glued to world sports events like the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and the EURO 2024 football.
Developing careers
The true impact of this local content lies not in the fact that it can compete with global shows in terms of quality and entertainment value, but that every second of it supports the careers of African creatives and production staff.
Whether it’s Kenyan actors, Nigerian presenters, a Tanzanian camera crew, Ethiopian directors and grips, or a Ugandan post-production team, local content creates thousands of jobs across Africa. It also ensures that MultiChoice can tell African stories that resonate directly with local audiences. That ability to “See Yourself” continues to distinguish the group’s offering from foreign streaming services.
To ensure a pipeline of talented staff to produce that local content, the group invests in MultiChoice Talent Factory academies across the region – one in Lusaka, another in Lagos, and a third in Nairobi – each producing dozens of qualified film graduates every year.
These young filmmakers are commissioned to produce movies for MultiChoice channels – Africa Magic, Zambezi Magic, Maisha Magic etc – in the course of their studies. This ensures that by the time they graduate from the year-long courses, they are equipped to produce entertaining content that is right up to MultiChoice standards.
Meeting customers where they are also means accommodating their financial needs. To enhance its value proposition, MultiChoice has also tiered down certain channels, reintroduced the second concurrent stream at no extra cost and priced down its DStv ADD Movies packages. It has also piloted weekly subscriptions in Uganda to better align subscription periods with customer cash flows.
Social engagement
The Group remained locally engaged through ongoing social investment. As the African media partner to The Earthshot Prize in 2024, MultiChoice showcased the work of social entrepreneurs across the continent and supported the platform that awarded five winners each year with £1-million grants to fund their initiatives.
The MTF Academy investment has already produced 467 interns and graduates, trained 1 500 masterclass participants and seen 152 films go into production.
Across Africa, the group is demonstrating how private investment translates into job creation, economic stability, and talent development.
In every one of the territories where MultiChoice operates, this local-investment approach dovetails perfectly with national-development goals, building career pathways, creating aspirational African content for African people, and driving economy growth.
After days of anticipation, Flora and Aikou have been confirmed as this season’s Gambits after receiving the highest number of votes from viewers. This was revealed during Sunday’s live show, where host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu announced the pair as the viewers’ choices.
Introduced as a brand-new twist for Season 11, The Gambit guarantees two selected housemates a place in the House until the final day. Although they will participate in tasks and House activities throughout the season, they will not be eligible to compete for the grand prize.
Sunday’s live show also marked the end of the Ladies-versus-Gentlemen format that defined the opening weeks of the competition. With the teams officially dissolved, the housemates will now compete as individuals.
Biggie also unveiled this week’s wager task, Game On, challenging the housemates to define the identity of Season 11. Through a creative presentation incorporating elements such as a logo, slogan, song, artwork and props, the housemates have been tasked with capturing what they believe this edition of Big Brother Naija should stand for and how they want it to be remembered.
The excitement continues today with the second Head of House Challenge at 2:00 p.m., where housemates will once again battle for power in the House. This will be followed by this week’s nomination show at 7:00 p.m., when viewers will find out who will become the first set of housemates to face possible eviction.
With Flora and Aikou’s fate in the House secured till the last day and the housemates now playing as individuals, the stakes have never been higher as the battle for the grand prize gathers momentum.
Viewers can enjoy the 24/7 BBNaija Season 11 experience on DStv and GOtv, or stream every episode live on DStv Stream and GOtv Stream.
For more updates, visit Africa Magic’s Big Brother Naija page and follow #BBNaija on X (@bbnaija), Instagram (@bigbronaija) and Facebook (Big Brother Naija).
By Adedapo Adesanya
Former P-Square manager, Mr Jude Okoye, has dismissed fresh allegations by his younger brother, Peter Okoye, professionally known as Mr P, insisting he never diverted the group’s earnings.
His response comes after Mr P claimed that the proposed sale of the defunct group’s multi-billion Naira music catalogue collapsed due to financial irregularities, including disputes over royalty payments, backend records and access to the group’s digital assets.
The music executive described the allegations as “blatant lies” and “manipulative tactics,” arguing that the issues raised by Mr P had already been investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and are currently before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
“So, what is he doing, coming out again now, if not to spill emotional blackmail, manipulate, and make me look like a bad person by dragging Paul into this?” he said.
Responding to allegations that he diverted royalty payments, Mr Okoye said the disputed funds were distributed based on instructions contained in a June 1, 2016, email from Arrow Kings and IROKO.
According to him, the correspondence directed that Mr P receive $12,891, while $25,782 meant for Jude and Paul be paid into the Nosa Entertainment account.
He argued that Mr P presented only part of the transaction publicly, creating the impression that he and Paul had appropriated funds belonging to the entire group.
Jude also rejected claims that his younger brother was excluded from the group’s bank accounts.
Displaying what he said were account mandate documents from FCMB, he maintained that Peter, Paul and himself were all authorised signatories to P-Square’s accounts, disputing claims made by Peter.
He further claimed the matter was addressed during court proceedings, where Peter allegedly acknowledged being a signatory after documentary evidence was presented.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the proposed catalogue sale, Jude denied withholding backend records or streaming data from potential investors.
He said Peter requested royalty statements and catalogue documents on October 16, 2022, after which he immediately contacted Lex Records.
According to him, the financial statements were forwarded the same day, while the backend logs were received six days later and sent to Peter without delay.
He therefore dismissed claims that it took more than three months to provide the documents, describing the allegation as false.
Jude maintained that the disputed royalty payments, email correspondence and supporting documents had already been reviewed during the EFCC investigation.
He claimed Peter and his legal representatives were shown the records during the probe and raised no objections at the time.
Accusing his younger brother of attempting to retry the matter on social media while the case remains before the court, Jude said the videos were intended to manipulate public opinion and drag Paul Okoye into the dispute.
Jude said he would leave the issues to be determined by the court, adding that Peter had failed to attend some recent court sittings, resulting in the matter being adjourned until September. He also claimed his bank accounts, passport and travel documents remain restricted because of the ongoing proceedings.
“If I’m found guilty, if they prove I took even one Kobo that wasn’t mine, let them send me to jail. I’m ready for that,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, Peter had not publicly responded to Jude’s latest claims. The criminal proceedings remain pending before the Federal High Court in Lagos, where Jude has pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
There aren’t many TV shows that can make you remember characters more than a decade after you first met them.
Mention Sheila Gardia or Freddy Ade-Williams and anyone who has followed Tinsel instantly remembers the boardroom battles, unexpected betrayals, complicated romances and family feuds that made it impossible to stop at just one episode. Through every season, viewers have watched alliances shift, businesses rise and fall, and relationships survive or crumble under pressure.
Now, the story continues.
Season 19 of Tinsel premieres on Monday, August 3, taking viewers back into the world of the Ade-Williams family, where the drama is far from over. This season, the Reel Group is looking to grow bigger than ever, but that growth comes with new enemies determined to bring the company down. As business rivalries heat up and people begin plotting against each other, familiar faces will also have to deal with personal challenges and unexpected investigations that could change everything. If there’s one thing Tinsel has always proven, it’s that just when you think things are finally settling down, another twist is around the corner.
The new season welcomes back familiar faces including Ireti Doyle as Sheila Gardia, Dozie Onyiriuka as Freddy Ade-Williams, Linda Ejiofor as Bimpe, Ibrahim Suleiman as Damini, Iyke Okechukwu as Chuks and Florence Uwaleke Okechukwu as Ene, alongside the gripping storytelling that has kept audiences invested for nearly two decades.
Catch new episodes of Tinsel every weekday from Monday, August 3, at 7:30 pm WAT on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151 and GOtv Channel 8).
And just when you think the drama is over…
Africa Magic is also introducing a brand-new story that asks one simple question: What happens when the truth you’ve been protected from is finally revealed? Premiering on the same day is Secret Lives, a brand-new drama that explores what happens when hidden truths finally come to light.
The series follows Zee, whose life takes an unexpected turn after a shocking discovery puts her relationship and future in doubt. As she begins to uncover secrets that have been hidden from her for years, she is forced to deal with heartbreak, betrayal and difficult choices while trying to protect the people she loves.
Blending romance, family drama and suspense, Secret Lives stars Oluchi Amajuoyi, Keppy Ekpeyong, Nonso Odogwu, Eyiyemi Olivia Rogbinyin, Ejiro Badare, Floyd Igbo and Favour Etim in a story where every episode promises fresh twists and emotional turns.
The series, produced by FEEMO and helmed by AMVCA-nominated showrunner James Omokwe, explores themes of love, identity and generational secrets, making it the perfect follow-up for viewers who enjoy emotionally layered dramas.
Secret Lives premieres on Monday, August 3, with new episodes airing weekdays at 8:30 pm WAT on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151 and GOtv Channel 8), with episodes also available on DStv Stream.
Whether you’re returning to the familiar world of Tinsel or diving into the mysteries of Secret Lives, one thing is certain: August is bringing the kind of stories that will keep you counting down to the next episode.
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