The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gotv

  • GOtv set to revive boxing in Nigeria

    GOtv set to revive boxing in Nigeria

    Major digital Cable TV service provider, GOtv, is set to revive the game of boxing in Nigeria, sponsoring a Boxing Night billed for November 23 at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.

    Organisers of maiden GOtv Boxing Night added that the boxing night is a platform for the boxers to show to the world their core area of strength.

    According to one of the top officials of the promoter, Flykite Productions, said “Boxing, as a sport in Nigeria, is about to undergo a revival, the platform for the long-sought rebirth of the sport, which enjoyed huge popularity right up to the 80s before suffering depression.

    “Provide a platform for the boxers to showcase their talent to the world; this boxing tournament will also help in reviving the game of boxing in Nigeria” added the top official.

    The event is conceived to bring back the lustre of boxing through adequate encouragement of boxers in the country.

  • GOtv ‘Hood to Hood’ Football Championship Season 2 Kicks Off Oct 19

    GOtv ‘Hood to Hood’ Football Championship Season 2 Kicks Off Oct 19

    The season 2 of the GOtv Hood to Hood Football championship set to hold between  October 19 and  November 1  at the Legacy/NIS pitch, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

    The plans for the tournament were unfolded at a press conference held at the Secretariat of Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) in the National Stadium, Lagos.

    Speaking at the Press conference, the General Manager , GOtv, Mrs Elizabeth Amkpa disclosed that the GOtv Hood to Hood football championship is an initiative aimed at contributing towards the development of football at the grassroots.

    Amkpa assured that the Season 2 of the competition promises to be more exciting with a larger crowd of spectators expected. ”All the matches will be played at  the Legacy and NIS pitches of the National Stadium which will enable teeming football lovers to watch the matches live while adequate media coverage will be provided by Supersport”, she said

    Mrs Amkpa announced that the winner of the season 2 of the competition will go home with N500, 000 and a gold trophy, the second placed team will get N250, 000 and a silver trophy, the third placed team will get N150, 000 while the fourth placed team will go home with a consolatory prize of N100, 000.

    On the match fixtures for the competition, the Marketing Manager, GOtv,  Oludare Kafar noted that 16 teams will compete in the first round of the competition which will be  direct elimination to produce eight teams for the quarter final stage of the competition.

    According to Kafar, the four teams that emerge for the semi-final stage of the competition will be presented with a set of jerseys made in the four dominant colours of the brand which are yellow, green, white and red to play the semi-final match, third place and the final match.

  • GOtv lands in four more cities

    GOtv lands in four more cities

    HAVING already held launch events in Osun and Oyo States, GOtv signals were switched on in four more cities between Tuesday, August 19, and Thursday, August 21.

    According to its management, signals are now live at Ilesa, Ede (Osun State), Iseyin (Oyo State) and Makurdi (Benue State). The launch activities began with a press briefing and interviews on Radio Benue and Harvest FM both in Makrudi.

    In the morning of the consumer launch held on August 20, GOtv hosted the first 100 subscribers at a GO customer forum.

    From the venue of the GO customer forum, activities moved to the Cool-off Park for an open air concert hosted by Radio Benue’s on-air-personality, Henry Ipole, aka H316, Archbishop of the Microphone Diocese supported by comedian Eneche.

    Adding local spice to its events, the gig saw performances from local artistes, including Biggie Brown, Jumabie and TK Swags, while EyesixOne and Benue Michael Jackson dazzled GOtv fans and subscribers with their electrifying dance steps.  Also, award-winning comedian, Pastor Nicodemus,  also thrilled the crowd.

    In the end, the team led by the GM GOtv, Elizabeth Amkpa, paid a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Steven Lawani, OFR, and presented him with a GOtv decoder.

  • GOtv launched in Makurdi with fanfare

    GOtv launched in Makurdi with fanfare

    IT was a star-studded launch in Makudi, the Benue State capital, as the cable platform, GOtv, took its services to the city on Wednesday, August 20.

    To mark the launch of its service in the city of Makurdi, GOtv held an open air concert at the Cool-off Park.

    Hosts for the event were Radio Benue’s on-air-personality, Henry Ipole, aka H316, and Archbishop of the Microphone Diocese who were supported by comedian Eneche.

    The gig saw performances by local artistes, including Biggie Brown, Jumabie and TK Swags, while Eyesix One and Benue Michael Jackson dazzled GOtv fans and subscribers with their electrifying dance steps.

    Also, award-winning comedian, Pastor Nicodemus thrilled the gathering with comedy.

    General Manager, GOtv Nigeria, Elizabeth Amkpa, noted that Makurdi people are fun-loving and that music lovers in Makurdi would have the privilege of watching six exciting music channels on GOtv, featuring the best of African and international artistes.

    “GOtv brings to Makurdi lots of entertaining contents and other local and international artistes through its music channels: Channel O, Hip TV, MTV Base, Soundcity and PRTV, all in crystal clear pictures and sound. For subscribers seeking the best of gospel tunes, GOtv also brings them One Gospel,” she said.

    Amkpa stressed that subscribers are spoiled for choice with a channel line-up that also includes AfricaMagic Family, AfricaMagic Epic Movies, AfricaMagic World, AfricaMagic Yoruba, AfricaMagic Hausa, Al Jazeera, Black Belt, BET, TV CNN, Disney Junior E! Entertainment, eTV Africa, Telemundo, Discovery World, Vox Africa, Nickelodeon, JimJam, Islam Channel, One Gospel and Sound City.

  • GOtv launched in Abeokuta with fanfare

    GOtv launched in Abeokuta with fanfare

    GOtv, a new digital pay television offering on the digital terrestrial television platform, at the weekend, launched its services in Abeokuta, Ogun State, offering exciting programming for the indigenes.

    The General Manager, GOtv Nigeria, Mrs. Elizabeth Amkpa, said: “GOtv is enabling the Nigerian government to achieve a speedy migration from analogue to digital broadcasting, using the latest technology DVB-T2.”

    According to her, digital migration will change the outlook to television entertainment in Nigeria.

    Digital terrestrial television, she added, offers access to more channels, clearer pictures, better sound quality and electronic programme guide, which are provided by GOtv.

    “With up to 41 channels on GOtv, our subscribers are spoiled for choice. GOtv’s channel lineup includes: AfricaMagic, AfricaMagic Movies, AfricaMagic World, AfricaMagic Yoruba, AfricaMagic Hausa, E! Entertainment, Discovery World, eTV Africa, Vox Africa, SuperSport Select and SuperSport Blitz, Al Jazeera, CNN, Channel O, MTV Base, Disney Junior, Nickelodeon, JimJam, Islam Channel, One Gospel, Sound City and Black Belt TV which gives families a great selection.

    “The world cup may be over, but GOtv continues to keep families entertained.   While men look forward to the start of a new football season, the month of August sees the coming of exciting new programmes to GOtv, especially tailored for the viewing pleasure of women and kids”, she said.

    According to her, “From August 4, kids can catch new episodes of Kung Fu Panda on Nickelodeon and the first ever Disney Junior Original Movie Lucky Duck, which premieres on Saturday, 23 August. MTV Base sets aside August 9 to 10 as Women’s Weekend with Whitney Houston, Riri’s Rockin Records, Official Nicki Minaj Top 20 and 20 female artistes who changed the game. Viewers can Tweet request using the hash tag, #LADIESOFHIPHOP.

    “For the romantics, Broken Angel premieres on Telemundo will premiere on August 18.  On Monday, August 25, the Primetime Emmy Awards will kick-start the 2014 awards season. Therefore, GOtv subscribers can be part of the excitement as Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Rancic report live from the red carpet on E! Entertainment. Also, on E!’, the ‘Fashion Police’ serve up ‘best’ and ‘worst’ dressed at the 2014 Primetime Emmy Awards & Video Music Awards, as legendary comedienne Joan Rivers and her team of fashion experts review the styles from the red carpet, passing their verdict on the fashion hits and misses on Wednesday,  August 27.”

  • Customers laud Gotv

    Customers laud Gotv

    IT was a day of commendations for GOtv as it held its fourth GO Customer Forum at the Transcorp Hotels in Calabar.

    At the forum, the Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Chief Akin Rickett, commended GOtv for increasing consumer awareness on the imminent switch-over from analogue to digital broadcasting in Nigeria.

    Speaking on behalf of the commissioner, Mr Freedom Ejom, said: “Awareness of the ongoing digitisation of Nigeria’s broadcast industry is very low.  I thank GOtv for creating a forum where subscribers can learn about its services and a topical issue as the digital switch-over.”

    Also, Chief Patrick Effah said: “The picture quality is incomparable; I urge GOtv to sustain the quality of the service.”

    Highlight of the event was the discussion on the upcoming digital switch-over.

    Mrs. Elizabeth Amkpa, General Manager GOtv, encouraged subscribers to spread the word about the digital switch-over, while emphasising the power of word-of-mouth.

  • ‘Durban’ partners DStv, GOtv on African documentaries

    ‘Durban’ partners DStv, GOtv on African documentaries

    •Films from Nigeria, 12 other African countries on week showcase

    There is a leeway for lovers of documentary movies, who may not be able to attend this year’s edition of Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), holding in Durban, South Africa, as a segment of the festival, the AfriDocs Film Week, will be screening select documentaries to 49 African countries on the DStv and GOtv platforms.

    Tagged “Film festival on your screen”, the AfriDocs Film Week runs from July 21 to 27, showing works from 13 countries, including Nigeria, The D.R.C., Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

    One of the entries from Nigeria, Day By Day; Femi Kuti, explores the music and life of the Afro beat artiste Femi Kuti, son of the legendary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

    Promoters of the movie said it is more than a biopic because it gives real insight into every aspect of the creative process.

    Showing simultaneously on Wednesday July 23, at 21:00 (GMT + 2), viewers will, within the contest of the film’s core message, be exposed to arrangements and bold choices involving one guitar strumming patterns over another and the manner they are woven together with a choir’s harmony that brings forth the artiste’s message.

    Interestingly, the documentary shifts between the object of the artiste’s struggle, his musical fight to lift Nigeria and Africa as a whole out of the despondent poverty and the proof of his commitment and tools of his trade: haunting, catchy songs.

    The fascinating world of the Femi Kuti, as portrayed in the documentary, also covers initial recordings to the album’s release and his financial problems to his nomination for a Grammy Award,

    Seven of the films screening at the DIFF such as  the award-winning Miners Shot Down, Concerning Violence, I Afrikaner, The Irresistible Rise of Moïse Katumbi and Soft Vengeance will also be part of the programme.

    These documentaries, according to AfriDocs Executive Producer, Don Edkins, tell a wide range of stories from films about great African artistes, such as singers and activists Femi Kuti and Miriam Makeba (Mama Africa); the Malian photographer Malik Sibidé (Dolce Vita Africana);  political and historical films about leaders Patrice Lumumba; Liberian President Sirleaf Johnson as well as films dealing with revolutionaries, farmers, gangsters and evangelists.

    “So many documentary films have been shot in Africa, but very few have been seen by African audiences.This heralds a new era of distribution for the continent,” said Edkins.

    Showing on DStv channel ED (channel 190) and GOtv (channel 65), the week-long film event, apart from broadcasting to 49 countries by satellite, is said to also reach terrestrially television in additional 100 cities in eight countries.

    AfriDocs is an initiative of the multi-awarded South African documentary production and distribution company, Steps, in partnership with the Bertha Foundation.

  • GOtv sponsors 5th Cross River State Athletics\ Swimming Championship

    GOtv has announced its partnership with the Cross River State government on the 5th Athletics and Swimming Championship for primary and secondary schools. This announcement was made at the Transcorp Hotel in Calabar on Tuesday.

    The sporting event will involve representatives from eighteen local government areas in Cross River State, and will run from Wednesday, 9 July through Saturday, 12 July 2014 at the UJ Esuene stadium, Calabar.

    Representing the general manager marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Miss Efe Obiomah, public relations manager GOtv, explained that the Cross River State government’s mission to groom the youth through sports is in line with MultiChoice Nigeria’s on-going promotion of sports and its development in Nigeria.

    Also speaking on the partnership, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Cross River State, Honourable Patrick Ugbe said: “We set out to attract private sector investment to support this initiative and consistency in carrying out successful events was key to achieving this. With the championship now in its fifth year, it is the belief of the Cross River State government that the partnership with GOtv and MultiChoice will be enduring.”

    He added that the objective of the initiative was to develop world champions, noting that the annual programme should be credited for Cross River State’s outstanding performances at three consecutive editions of the National Sports Festivals.

    GOtv’s total investment in the sponsorship runs into millions of naira and this covers the TV coverage of the four-day event and subsequent transmission via its SuperSport channels, staff and crew costs, as well as contribution to the funding of the event itself.

     

  • GOtv deal excites Mr Ibu

    GOtv deal excites Mr Ibu

    Popular Nollywood comic actor, John Okafor, has joined the long list of Nigerian celebrities who are earning extra-pay through brand endorsements.

    Popularly called Mr Ibu, the comedian, who sometimes cracks jokes about his ugly looks, has been appointed by digital terrestrial pay-TV, GOtv, as face of its brand in Nigeria.

    But Mr Ibu’s popularity is far-reaching, as Nigerian comics are famous in other African countries, which GOtv covers, via the Africa Magic channels. This may be the peg for the actor who, by this new contract, is expected to feature in GOtv’s future commercials, make special guest appearances at GOtv launch events and promote the brand among its grassroots audiences.

    On why the actor was picked among his other talented colleagues, GOtv Nigeria’s General Manager, Mrs. Elizabeth Amkpa, said the company sought an individual who has a strong acceptance by a wide audience and Mr Ibu came tops.

    “Given John Okafor’s successes in Nollywood as Mr Ibu, his popularity is not limited to any particular geo-political zone in Nigeria. Mr Ibu has a strong emotional appeal among GOtv audiences. He is a star that the man next door can relate to”, she said.

    Known for his wittiness, Mr Ibu is said to have acted in more than 70 Nollywood movies and is famed for his roles in Police Recruit (2003), Mr Ibu (2004), Mr Ibu in London (2004), Nine Wives (2005), Ibu in Prison (2006), Keziah (2007) and Bafana Bafana (2007).

  • GOtv excites customers at forum

    GOtv excites customers at forum

    FOR Port Harcourt subscribers of GOtv, last weekend will remain memorable for a long time, as Gotv Nigeria held the second GOCustomer forum, an interactive session, at the Bougainvillea Hotels.

    It was organised to appreciate GOtv residents in Port Harcourt, while giving GOtv a platform to receive first-hand feedback on its services.

    Speaking at the forum, Public Relations Manager, GOtv Nigeria Nigeria, Efe Obiomah, said: “The GOCustomer Forum is an exclusive event dedicated to interact with you and deliberate on ways to serve you better.

    “This is our second forum and we intend to have more fora in other cities to hear the needs of our subscribers. We thank you for your patronage and look forward to receiving your valuable feedback during today’s deliberations”, she concluded.

    The event kicked-off with a presentation to update GOtv subscribers with new content offerings and self-service options. Thereafter, it dovetailed into a panel discussion on the digital migration by members of the GOtv team. The panel discussion was used to inform subscribers about the enormous benefits of digital migration and how it would change broadcasting for the better in Nigeria. Furthermore, GOtv reiterated that its subscribers will enjoy all the 2014 FIFA World Cup matches on SuperSport Select in great picture and sound quality.