The Nation Newspaper

Tag: MultiChoice

  • MultiChoice goes to Lagos schools

    With the inauguration of 10 additional MultiChoice Resource Centre (MRC) project in Lagos, leading cable television network MultiChoice Nigeria, has added more feathers to its cap.

    The event, which took at Eti-Osa Community Senior Secondary School, Sangotedo, Lagos, on Tuesday last week, is one of the state public/private partnership initiative.

    This MRC project returned to Lagos State for the third time since inception in 2004, to inaugurate 10 additional centres, bringing to 18 the total number of MRC in the state.

    Each beneficiary school receives a TV set, high definition personal video recorder (HDPVR) decoder, generating set, complimentary subscription to DStv education bouquet, which contains BBC World, BBC Knowledge, National Geography, Animal Planet, National Geography Wild, History Channel, Learn and ED channel, as well as facilities such as chairs and tables, among others.

    “The resource centre project is MultiChoice’s way of promoting the use of integrated and communication technologies to raise the standard of education by deploying the imagery of sight and sound to make learning more vivid and creative,” said Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr John Ugbe, at the commemoration ceremony.

    “At MultiChoice, we have a strong conviction that the technological, economic, social and political advancement of any country has a direct correlation with its level of educational development and that the future of a country is intrinsically tied to the quality of education that the youths are exposed to,” he added.

    He however enjoined the 10 beneficiary schools to maximise the use of the resource centres.

    Mrs Aderonke Bello, Managing Director, Innovative Technology Literacy Services Limited (ITLS), the implementing partner for the MRC project, said the facilities being provided will also equip both teachers and learners for them to be competitive in the 24th century market place, adding that the effective use of this service would add significance to pupils and teachers at large.

    She said: “Technology investment in schools is on the increase, and the deployment of satellite television to enhance learning is one key initiative that has helped to bridge the digital divide in rural communities. While technology will not replace teachers and textbooks, research has shown that technology-mediated learning environments provide immense opportunities for learners and lead inevitably to better teaching and learning outcomes.”

    Director, Co-Curriculum, Science & Technology, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs Mary Oyetunde, thanked MultiChoice for the initiative, describing it as complementary to the state’s effort to providing improved facilities for enhanced teaching and learning.

    “MultiChoice Resource Centre project facilitates e-learning, as our pupils can now utilise the satellite TV technology to obtain relevant facts and latest development in subject areas that have hitherto proved difficult to understand,” she said.

     

  • Yibo Koko lands MultiChoice appointment

    Yibo Koko lands MultiChoice appointment

    With an enviable dossier, versatile artiste, Yibo Koko, continues to navigate different facets of the broadcast and entertainment businesses, the latest being his recent appointment as Head of Production for Africa Magic.

    Koko, an actor, filmmaker, director, dancer, choreographer and set designer, who has a strong academic and professional background in dramatic arts, will, by his new appointment, relocate to Lagos from Port Harcourt, his present base.

    Taking over from Erika Klopper, M-Net’s manager of local productions at MultiChoice, Koko’s job will see him  leading in the planning, managing and coordinating of all productions as well as playing a key role in developing and commissioning local contents for Africa Magic Channels.

    Koko’s new job becomes timely, as Africa and the rest of the world prepares for digital migration on June 17, 2015.

    Expectedly, spectrum will expand, demanding for more contents for broadcast platforms. This challenge is expected to be matched with the new school of thought that says “Audience is king”.

    Consequently, Koko will be expected to implement strategic production of contents, not just for the channels, but in such a way that they also increase  the audience figures.

    Yibo, who is one of the judges of Nigeria’s Got Talents, alongside Kate Henshaw and Dan Foster, is one of the pioneers of the Nigerian comedy industry.  By expressing his other gifts, Koko became noted for arts-set-design and float construction.

    Interestingly, he is the consultant and artistic director for the Masta Blasta Band, the group that came tops last year at the annual Calabar Christmas Carnival.

    Koko has won several awards, including Distinguished Alumnus Award in recognition of his contributions to the growth of the Nigerian Film industry (2010); Overall Best Concept Designer for Movement/Choreography/Carnival Float for Rivers State contingents at the Abuja Carnival (2008 and 2009) and Outstanding Achievement in Film Making Award at the 42nd Brooklyn Arts Council International Film Festival, Long Island University, New York (2008), among others.

  • MultiChoice boosts premium bouquet

    MultiChoice boosts premium bouquet

    DSTV audiences will be exposed to two new high-end television channels that will hit the screens in the next two weeks, pay TV company, MultiChoice and its content arm, M-net have said.

    Called M-Net Edge (113) and VUZU AMP (114), the channels have been described as out-of-the-ordinary additions to DStv’s premium bouquet.

    The package is said to target trendy viewers who currently enjoy VUZU, giving them an amplified experience. The programmes will commence from Tuesday October 13 at 17:00 CAT on DStv channel 114, featuring local and international content in HD.

    Also, the premiere of the M-Net Edge will be officially launched on Tuesday October 20, at 19:00 CAT. The thought-provoking and more irreverent award-winning television will be a companion to flagship channel M-Net 101, known for its blockbuster and hot off-the-heels series.

    Due to the age restrictions linked to the programming on M-Net Edge, the channel is said to be on air for eleven hours only – from 18:00 CAT in the evening until 05:00 CAT the next morning.

    “The revolutionary M-Net Edge line-up will feature the most critically acclaimed cult-craze series from Hollywood  the kind of risqué shows you would prefer not to watch with the entire family. On the October schedule, for example, you will find the eagerly-awaited Emmy award-winning comedy-drama Orange is the New Black. Among the other big attractions are the brand new series Masters of Sex and Satisfaction, as well as new seasons of The Americans, Defiance and American Horror Story,” a statement from MultiChoice read.

    VUZU AMP will kick off with The Flash, which was premiered in the U.S. on October 7. Already earning a huge amount of attention in global TV-land, The Flash is based on the DC Comics character Flash, a costumed superhero crime-fighter – and is a spin-off of Arrow.

    At the time of its launch VUZU AMP will also host many season premieres of hugely popular television series, among them The Vampire Diaries, Devious Maids, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, So You Think You Can Dance and Pretty Little Liars.

    According to M-net, to make way for these two channels, the current M-Net Series Showcase and M-Net Series Reality channels on DStv Premium will discontinue, and content from these channels will be found on M-Net Edge (channel 113) or VUZU AMP (channel 114).

  • MultiChoice boosts Premium bouquet

    MultiChoice boosts Premium bouquet

    DStv audiences will be exposed to two new high-end television channels that will hit the screens in the next two weeks, pay TV company, MultiChoice and its content arm, M-net have said.

    Called M-Net Edge (113) and VUZU AMP (114), the channels have been described as out-of-the-ordinary additions to DStv’s premium bouquet.

    The package is said to target trendy viewers who currently enjoy VUZU, giving them an amplified experience. The programmes will commence from Tuesday October 13 at 17:00 CAT on DStv channel 114, featuring local and international content in HD.

    Also, the premiere of the M-Net Edge will be officially launched on Tuesday October 20, at 19:00 CAT. The thought-provoking and more irreverent award-winning television will be a companion to flagship channel M-Net 101, known for its blockbuster and hot off-the-heels series.

    Due to the age restrictions linked to the programming on M-Net Edge, the channel is said to be on air for eleven hours only – from 18:00 CAT in the evening until 05:00 CAT the next morning.

    “The revolutionary M-Net Edge line-up will feature the most critically acclaimed cult-craze series from Hollywood – the kind of risqué shows you would prefer not to watch with the entire family. On the October schedule, for example, you will find the eagerly-awaited Emmy award-winning comedy-drama Orange is the New Black. Among the other big attractions are the brand new series Masters of Sex and Satisfaction, as well as new seasons of The Americans, Defiance and American Horror Story,” a statement from MultiChoice read.

    VUZU AMP will kick off with The Flash, which was premiered in the U.S. on October 7. Already earning a huge amount of attention in global TV-land, The Flash is based on the DC Comics character Flash, a costumed superhero crime-fighter – and is a spin-off of Arrow.

    At the time of its launch VUZU AMP will also host many season premieres of hugely popular television series, among them The Vampire Diaries, Devious Maids,  Brooklyn Nine-Nine, So You Think You Can Dance and Pretty Little Liars.

  • Multichoice amplifies care services

    Multichoice amplifies care services

    Provider of premium pay-TV content on DStv and GOtv platforms, Multichoice, has stepped up its consumer engagement drive in Nigeria with its DStv open house initiative.  In furtherance of the company’s commitment to enriching lives, the DStv open house will provide consumers with instant access to a range of services, including customer care, subscription payment, self-help channels, technical support and much more. The activation is scheduled to hold in residential estates across selected areas in Lagos State between September 27 and November 1, 2014.

    Speaking at the first leg of the initiative at Victoria Garden City in Ajah, Caroline Oghuma, Public Relations Manager, DStv, reiterated the company’s commitment to deepening its engagement with its subscribers and providing them with platforms to access sound and convenient sales and service infrastructure.

    “Given the overwhelming support that we have received from our customers, we have decided to bring our services to their doorsteps.  This initiative amplifies our customer-centric approach to business. With us, the customer comes first. Our customers in Ikeja, Egbeda, Ikoyi, Festac Town, Mafoluku and many more can look forward to the road show in their neighbourhoods in the weeks ahead,” she said.

  • Multichoice engages customers

    Provider of pay-TV content on DStv and GOtv platforms, Multichoice, has stepped up its consumer engagement drive in  with its DStv open house initiative.

    In furtherance of its  commitment to enriching lives, the  open house will provide consumers with instant access to a range of services, including customer care, subscription payment, self-help channels, technical support and much more.

    The activation is scheduled to hold in residential estates across selected areas in Lagos State between September 27 and November 1.

    Speaking during the first leg of the initiative at Victoria Garden City, Ajah, Lagos, its spokesperson, Caroline Oghuma,  reiterated the company’s commitment to deepening its engagement with its subscribers and providing them with platforms to access sound and convenient sales and service infrastructure.

    “Given the overwhelming support that we have received from our customers, we have decided to bring our services to their doorsteps.  This initiative amplifies our customer-centric approach to business. With us, the customer comes first.

    Our customers in Ikeja, Egbeda, Ikoyi, Festac Town, Mafoluku and many more can look forward to the road show in their neighbourhoods in the weeks ahead,” she said.

  • Travel journalist Awofeso gets tourism award

    Award-winning travel journalist and author, Pelu Awofeso, has been named the “Best Tourism Promoter” at this year’s MBE Improver Awards. It was held in Manchester,  England .

    According to the organisers, the event was hosted “to acknowledge, celebrate and confer excellence on individuals who devoted their all in promoting human welfare and advancing reforms in their specific fields”.

    Other categories at the awards include outstanding leadership awards, volunteer recognition awards, best human rights activist, best community leader, best journalist and best entertainer.

    Nominations were announced for 16 different categories in June and winners emerged based on voting by the public on the organiser’s website.

    “I am extremely honoured by this award, coming as it is when the international community prepares to mark the World Tourism Day on September 27. I want you to know that this award will only spur me on to continue to do what I have been doing in the past 15 years—promoting domestic tourism in every way possible, online and offline,” an elated Awofeso said.

    Awofeso is a former winner of the CNN/ Multichoice Africa Journalist Awards in the tourism category and his career in journalism has spanned 12 years. He is the author of three travel books on Nigeria and he currently edits waka-about, a tourism- and arts-focused periodical.

    “It’s been a long, tough and almost tiring journey, but I will be the first to confess that my life has been thoroughly enriched by my adventures around Nigeria—from Argungu to Asaba—and the everyday Nigerians I have met on my way,” adds Awofeso, who has visited 30 states.

    “If there is anything I would like to say at this point, it will be to all Nigerians to take your own journeys; a great deal of memorable experiences await,” he added.

  • Multichoice battles pirates

    Multichoice battles pirates

    AS part of efforts to curb the rising level of commercial piracy in the country, MultiChoice Nigeria has urged individuals or entities that use DStv services for public use, without a commercial license, to obtain it so as to enable them broadcast DStv contents without litigation.

    Caroline Oghuma, PR Manager, DStv, MultiChoice, said: “We want these subscribers to stay on the right side of the law. Those who are yet to convert are infringing on the copy right laws of Nigeria and will face appropriate penalties.”

    Oghuma explained that MultiChoice is working in association with the Nigerian Copyrights Commission (NCC) to stem the rising trend of commercial piracy. According to her, early this year, officials of the NCC, Lagos Zonal Office, issued a 14- day deadline for hotels to obtain the appropriate commercial licenses for the broadcast of DStv channels.

    “We are happy that some hotel owners have complied by legalising their subscriptions. However, we urge those who have not complied to do so,” she said.

    Last year, the Commission launched an amnesty campaign to create awareness on broadcast piracy.

    Oghuma added that the campaign would move to the second phase, which would involve the copyright audit of outlets using DStv in public and sanctioning of infringing users.

    “MultiChoice Nigeria, in conjunction with the NCC, is currently battling four types of piracy: cable piracy, re-broadcasting piracy, commercial piracy and circumvention piracy. Commercial users that wish to obtain a commercial license in order to avoid sanctions are advised to visit the nearest DStv office or DStv agent’s outlet,” Oghuma added.

  • MultiChoice Home Advantage promo excites subscribers

    MultiChoice Home Advantage promo excites subscribers

    MULTICHOICE Nigeria has rewarded over 100 subscribers of both DStv and GOtv in its on-going Home Advantage promotion.

    The promotion is designed to encourage subscribers to make subscription payments through the DStv and GOtv scratch cards.

    Receiving the grand prize at the MultiChoice branch office in Surulere, Lagos, Mr. Olumide Obafemi expressed gratitude to MultiChoice for promoting family values and unity.

    According to him, winning the prize has reinforced his commitment to remain loyal to the DStv brand. “I will continue to pay my subscription and enter for competitions of this kind. Who knows? I may end up winning a bigger prize in the near future,” he said.

    Also, Mrs. Kekereogun Kudirat Bunmi, who won a family-size freezer, gas cooker, vacuum cleaner and microwave oven, said she was excited over the prize as a GOtv subscriber.

    While thanking MultiChoice for her win, she urged the company to continue to provide more entertaining local contents for its subscribers.

    Martin Mabutho, General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, emphasised that the Home Advantage promotion was to reward subscribers who use recharge cards to renew their subscriptions. “The promotion dubbed the ‘Home Advantage Promo’ has seen lucky subscribers who purchased the limited edition home advantage recharge cards go home with fantastic home appliances,” he explained.

    Mabutho, who also stated that there would not be any raffle draw, said winners would redeem prizes after confirmation that the cards used to subscribe have been successfully loaded.

    The home advantage recharge cards, he said, are available in all MultiChoice offices and dealer outlets in Nigeria.

    “We want to encourage more and more of our subscribers to make payment via the scratch card method. Once there is a confirmation that the card was successfully loaded and the subscriber emerges as winner, we will immediately contact the subscriber” he said.

  • DStv launches new channel, Lifetime

    DStv launches new channel, Lifetime

    MULTICHOICE Africa, in conjunction with A+E Networks, is set to launch a female entertainment channel, Lifetime, on its DStv platform.

    According to the management, the new channel will be available to all DStv premium subscribers from July 22.

    Lifetime, according to management, will engage and inspire viewers with a winning formula of quality- scripted dramas, Lifetime original movies and factual entertainment shows.

    Tom Davidson, Managing Director of A+E Networks UK, said: “The launch of Lifetime in Africa is exciting for us and marks a key moment in our continuing investments in this market. With a schedule packed with powerful stories, passionate people and addictive entertainment, we are confident that Lifetime will appeal to African audiences.”

    According to the CEO of MultiChoice Africa, Nico Meyer, the launch expands the female-focused content portfolio on DStv, delivering an entertainment brand to sit alongside global channels. “We are always striving to build a balanced, innovative and exciting home television offering for our subscribers. As a business, we constantly research local as well as international television channels and shows, with a view to further improving and enhancing our offering; so, we are delighted to be welcoming another entertainment channel on to our DStv platform, which we believe will offer even more great family entertainment,” Meyer said.

    Some of the programmes that viewers can expect on Lifetime include: A Day Late and a Dollar Short, Flowers in the Attic and Dance Moms, among others.