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Tag: BBN

10 Reasons Big Brother Naija is truly a Nigerian show

It is no longer news that the return of lifestyle reality show, Big Brother Nigeria, rechristened Big Brother Naija, is being hosted in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Many have asked; how patriotic is a Nigerian show held in another country? Reasons have been given by promoters of the show on why it is economically wise to record the show from a long time purpose-built facility, given the poor infrastructures in Nigeria and the epileptic power supply that leaves organisers at the mercy of power generating sets and expensive diesel.

Here are 10 reasons why, despite odds, hosting the show from Johannesburg does not make it less a Nigerian event.

1. The twelve housemates are Nigerians selected from the six geo-political zones.

2. The popular Big Brother Voice is that of a Nigerian.

3. Series Director, Gbenga Kayode is a Nigerian and Nigeria-trained.

4. Head of content and about nine other members of his team are Nigerians.

5. Title sponsor, Payporte is a Nigerian online retail company.

6. Foods, drinks, fabrics, decors, props are largely from Nigeria.

7. English, pidgin, and other Nigerian languages are permitted in the show.

8. Nigeria’s major language interpreters have been engaged on the show

9. Winner’s monetary prize of 25 million is in Naira

10. Show is reaching more subscribers in Nigeria with the inclusion of GOtv channel.

January 23, 2017
Big Brother Naija:12 housemates make dramatic entry

With each man and woman trying to create a lingering first impression, 12 young Nigerians, Sunday night, made a dramatic entry into the Big Brother Naija house, making a stop on the ceremonial stage where the host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu prodded them a little on their expectations and game plans.

The crowd of Nigerians at the Red Pepper studio, Johannesburg, where the show is being recorded, added verve to the night of revelations, as fans were eager to know which celebrity was among the contestants.

It happened that a few guys like Thintalltony, a popular dancer; CocoIce, a burgeoning female rapper and Bisola, a notable actress in a Web series titled ‘Skinny Girl in transit’ were among the pick.

There was also Efe, an indigene of Delta State who came with the naughty/comic character associated with Warri boys. He was the last to enter the house, giving the show the desired climax.

The other housemates include, Bally, Gifty, Kemen, Marvis, Miyonse, Soma, TBoss and Uriel.

Some of the housemates

The ceremony was spiced up with musical performances by K9, an RnB vocalist, the self acclaimed Mama Africa, Yemi Alade and Highlife crooner, Flavour N’abania.

Yemi and Flavour both hit the stage twice during the show.

As usual of twists on Big Brother shows, Biggie announced to fans that instead of the eviction which the housemates believe will see the exit of one of them this Sunday, two additional housemates will be added to the show.

In a dramatic irony, the contestants will play for ‘likes’, in which two housemates with the least number of ‘likes’ will exit in a false elimination exercise that will proceed next Sunday’s surprise.

The would-be winner will leave the house with N25 million and a brand new Kia Sorento.

Tagged ‘See Gobbe’, housemates are expected to showcase their own unique brand as a Nigerians.

The 11 weeks of twists, turns, laughter and tears that the show is made of started last night, broadcasting live in 45 countries from Nigeria through East, West and Southern Africa on DStv on channel 198 and GOtv channel 29 24/7.

Headline sponsor of the show is Nigeria’s online retail store, PayPorte.

BBN house

January 22, 2017
Live from Joburg: Will Ebuka climb the stage like this?

Former Big Brother Nigeria housemate and media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, will be hosting the return of the show in few minutes from now.
Rechristened Big Brother Naija, the show will go on air in short while.
Here is the host welcoming some Nigerian guests to Johannesburg, South Africa.

The show is returning after a decade of hiatus and cancellation of the continental version tagged Big Brother r Naija house and he will take up the task of announcing the evictees week after week.

January 22, 2017
Live from Joburg: Guess who the first housemate into Big Brother Naija house is

(more…)

January 22, 2017
Reality TV Shows – Television for the new generation

Reality TV shows have become the toast of the entertainment industry. In Nigeria, we have seen reality TV shows like; Gulder Ultimate Search, Amstel Malta Box Office, MTN Project Fame, Maltina Street Dance Africa, West African Idol, KoKo Mansion, Omotola: The Real Me, Make Me Beautiful become engaging television content people tune in to watch.

One of such reality shows is the widely acclaimed Big Brother reality TV series. It is considered one of the biggest reality shows ever to have been conceived in the world with different countries staging their own versions. Nigeria is by no means left out in the Big Brother craze. In 2006, M-Net created the Nigerian version of the show and that signaled a new dawn in reality TV shows in the country. Despite its varying controversies and the call for an outright ban, millions of people still covet the series because of its raw and undiluted entertainment that resonates with today’s generation.

Reality TV shows have the power of taking someone from obscurity to fame. A prime example would be the Kardashians with their eponymous show, Keeping up with the Kardashians which has been on air since 2007. They have been dubbed America’s most famous family and have built a global empire from a string of endorsements and merchandises which rake in millions of dollars.

In Nigeria, reality TV have produced some of our biggest celebrities. Music star Iyanya was the winner of the 2008 MTN Project Fame reality show and he is currently one of the hottest and most sought after musicians in Nigeria. Omawumi Megbele became famous when she came second in the first edition of West African Idol. O.C Ukeje is unarguably the biggest Nigerian actor to have emerged from a reality TV show. Ukeje won Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) a platform that launched his acting career. Uti Nwachukwu first participated at the celebrated Next Movie Star before entering the Big Brother Africa house. Today, Uti has since become a celebrity as he co-hosts the popular African Magic program, Jara while becoming a host for various events.

After 10 years, Big Brother Nigeria is coming back and has now rebranded as Big Brother Naija. The number of Nigerians who auditioned for the show tells a story of how the new generation want to be on TV and become famous. While some are a bit skeptical on the return of what they see as a controversial show, majority cannot wait to have something to keep them entertained for the next three months.

Reputable brands are also jumping on the trend, they know they can reach out to their target audience through these shows. Payporte, the biggest online shopping portal in Nigeria is the main sponsor of Big Brother Naija.

Big Brother Naija will air exclusively on DStv and GOtv platforms. And for the next three months, we will watch 12 strangers in 1 house. The 12 strangers will become household names at some point and viewers will also have a favorite. The winner of the show will not only become a celebrity but also a millionaire, as the prize money is a whopping 25 million Naira.

Reality TV will be here for a long time. We have seen it create new generation of celebrities and we will see more celebrities come out of the shows. In reality, the controversies, drama and scandals are what draws the new generation of TV watchers to such shows.

January 18, 2017
MORE TALENTS TO UNEARTH AS BBN RETURNS

FROM Timi Dakolo of West African Idol to Chidinma Ekile of MTN Project Fame; Uti Nwachukwu of Big Brother Africa (BBA); O.C. Ukeje of Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) and Katung Aduwak of Big Brother Nigeria (BBN) among several other celebrities who came to prominence through Reality TV platforms, there are strong indications of process of talent unearthing, skill development and social reinforcement that have confirmed the ‘obscurity to prominence’ phenomenon.

With the return of BBN this month after a decade of hiatus, there is no gain saying that the Nigerian entertainment space has opened its door to more talent discoveries and a potential millionaire – underscoring the viability of entertainment business in the face of the general outcry of recession.

An offshoot of BBA which has been criticized in some quarters on moral grounds, it is obvious that the solely Nigerian version of this show tends to avoid such distractions by removing the controversial ‘Shower Hour’ from its outline.

From a more objective point of view, many see in the sociological-inclined reality show, the inherent lesson in human endurance. On the side of morality and discipline, the house-confining show speaks volume about the level of self-denial by participants, given such ‘private enclosure’.

Viewers have witnessed contestants who had displayed the most decent character in the House – there are evidences of Housemates who neither display nudity nor drink nor smoke (if those define decency).

The strength of the show is about that split-of-a-second when a contestant is carried away and gives up his or her pretentious disposition. Experts say it is not possible for you to be in that House and not forget for a moment that you are on television. Thus, many see the tolerance of other people’s attitude in the House as a great virtue, because voters see through the character of the housemates, which invariably influences their votes.

The daily tasks open contestants’ brain, just as the in-house politics and intrigues pose makes a viewer’s delight as housemates try to outshine one another for the ultimate prize.

The return of BBN, sponsored by PayPorte, Nigeria’s online store could be another easy entry point for the housemates to make easy inroads into Nollywood.

Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, said the show has been repackaged to meet the current socio-economic realities, following the success of the past seasons of BBA. “BBA was popular for its entertainment value and ability to showcase ordinary Africans from different walks of life in extra-ordinary ways. We decided to re-invent the reality show by bringing back the Nigerian version, which we are confident, will draw a pan African audience.”

Reality TV shows continue to be a conduit for creating stars for Nollywood, world’s second largest movie industry by volume, according to a report published in The Voices Magazine of The British Council, in addition to other entertainment genres. The shows did not only identify talent, but also position the youth for greater opportunities.

The BBN auditions took place simultaneously in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja with thousands of youth besieging the audition venues to have a chance of being selected to compete for the star prize worth N25 million and a KIA Sorento car.

Organisers say 12 housemates will slug it out by showcasing their best selves, while also avoiding possible eviction by voters. The show will be broadcast live on dedicated event channels on all DStv packages and on GOtv Plus from January 22, 2017.

January 14, 2017
More talents to unearth as BBN returns

From Timi Dakolo of West African Idol to Chidinma Ekile of MTN Project Fame; Uti Nwachukwu of Big Brother Africa (BBA); O.C. Ukeje of Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) and Katung Aduwak of Big Brother Nigeria (BBN) among several other celebrities who came to prominence through Reality TV platforms, there are strong indications of process of talent unearthing, skill development and social reinforcement that have confirmed the ‘obscurity to prominence’ phenomenon.

With the return of BBN this month after a decade of hiatus, there is no gain saying that the Nigerian entertainment space has opened its door to more talent discoveries and a potential millionaire – underscoring the viability of entertainment business in the face of the general outcry of recession.

An offshoot of BBA which has been criticized in some quarters on moral grounds, it is obvious that the solely Nigerian version of this show tends to avoid such distractions by removing the controversial ‘Shower Hour’ from its outline.

From a more objective point of view, many see in the sociological-inclined reality show, the inherent lesson in human endurance. On the side of morality and discipline, the house-confining show speaks volume about the level of self-denial by participants, given such ‘private enclosure’.

Viewers have witnessed contestants who had displayed the most decent character in the House – there are evidences of Housemates who neither display nudity nor drink nor smoke (if those define decency).

The strength of the show is about that split-of-a-second when a contestant is carried away and gives up his or her pretentious disposition. Experts say it is not possible for you to be in that House and not forget for a moment that you are on television. Thus, many see the tolerance of other people’s attitude in the House as a great virtue, because voters see through the character of the housemates, which invariably influences their votes.

The daily tasks open contestants’ brain, just as the in-house politics and intrigues pose makes a viewer’s delight as housemates try to outshine one another for the ultimate prize.

The return of BBN, sponsored by PayPorte, Nigeria’s online store could be another easy entry point for the housemates to make easy inroads into Nollywood.

Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, said the show has been repackaged to meet the current socio-economic realities, following the success of the past seasons of BBA. “BBA was popular for its entertainment value and ability to showcase ordinary Africans from different walks of life in extra-ordinary ways. We decided to re-invent the reality show by bringing back the Nigerian version, which we are confident, will draw a pan African audience.”

Reality TV shows continue to be a conduit for creating stars for Nollywood, world’s second largest movie industry by volume, according to a report published in The Voices Magazine of The British Council, in addition to other entertainment genres. The shows did not only identify talent, but also position the youth for greater opportunities.

The BBN auditions took place simultaneously in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja with thousands of youth besieging the audition venues to have a chance of being selected to compete for the star prize worth N25 million and a KIA Sorento car.

Organisers say 12 housemates will slug it out by showcasing their best selves, while also avoiding possible eviction by voters. The show will be broadcast live on dedicated event channels on all DStv packages and on GOtv Plus from January 22, 2017.

January 12, 2017