Showbiz
SoundCloud Restructures Artistes’ Royalty Payments System
By Ahmed Rahma
An online audio distribution platform and music sharing website, SoundCloud, has declared on Tuesday that it will become the first streaming service to start directing subscribers’ fees only to the artists they listen to, a move welcomed by musicians campaigning for fairer pay.
Unlike other streaming services like Spotify, Deezer and Apple, which put royalty payments into one big pot and dish them out based on which artists have the most global plays, the company based in Germany is set to direct royalties due from each subscriber-only to the artists they stream from April 1.
Many artists and unions stated that the system used by other music apps is grossly unfair, giving a huge slice of the pie to mega-stars like Drake and Ariana Grande, and leaving almost nothing for musicians further down the pecking order which also means that many fans of more niche artists and genres fund music they never actually listen to.
“Many in the industry have wanted this for years. We are excited to be the ones to bring this to market to better support independent artists,” said Michael Weissman, SoundCloud’s chief executive officer, in a statement.
The company said the new payment system is known as “fan-powered royalties” or “user-centric model” and would empower listeners and encourage greater diversity in musical styles.
“Artists are now better equipped to grow their careers by forging deeper connections with their most dedicated fans,” the statement said.
“Fans can directly influence how their favourite artists are paid,” it added.
Major record labels are thought to have resisted such a move, in part because the current system allows them to generate massive profits through a relatively small number of huge stars.
A study by France’s Centre National de la Musique earlier this year found that 10 per cent of all revenues from Spotify and Deezer go to just 10 artists at the top.
That has allowed the major labels to amass record revenues over the past year, just as most musicians were thrown into crisis by the cancellation of live tours due to the pandemic.
Earlier this year, label bosses told a British parliamentary commission investigating the streaming economy that it may be too complicated for platforms to shift to fan-based royalty payments.
But SoundCloud said this was exactly wrong that its computing calculations took just 20 minutes under the new model, compared with 23 hours under the old one.
“The most important takeaway from SoundCloud’s data is that none of the previous modelling has been accurate, that when you actually run a user-centric system, the rewards to artists that have an audience are significantly improved,” said Crispin Hunt, chair of the British Ivors Academy, which has been running a campaign to “fix streaming”.
“It proves the distortion in value that the existing model delivers,” he said.
Showbiz
Veteran Nigerian Actor Kola Oyewo Dies at 80
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.
Showbiz
Watching BBN and the World Cup Is No Longer a Location Thing
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:
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Tap on Live TV
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Browse available channels
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Select the channel you want
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Start watching instantly
This is especially useful for:
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Big Brother Naija live broadcasts
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Football matches and tournaments
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News coverage
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Reality shows
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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:
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Trending shows
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Newly added content
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Popular movies
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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:
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Continue watching from where they stopped
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Save favorite content
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Browse viewing history
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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.
Showbiz
Drama, Tears, and Showdowns: BBNaija Reunion Starts on Heated Note
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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