The Nation Newspaper

Tag: MultiChoice

  • Multichoice announces call for 2019 talent factory academy

    MultiChoice has announced call for entry for the second edition of the MultiChoice Talent

    Factory Academy (MTF) programme.

    The talent factory academy was launched in May 2018 as part of MultiChoice Africa’s corporate shared value (CSV) initiative to ignite Africa’s creative industry through TV and film-making.

    The programme is open to candidates with industry experience or a relevant post-school qualification in film-making to hone their television and film production skills under the guidance and mentorship of industry experts.

    Only 60 students will be selected to be part of the much sought-after year-long and fully-funded programme at three academy hubs in Southern Africa (Lusaka, Zambia), East Africa (Nairobi, Kenya) and West Africa (Lagos, Nigeria), headed by industry leaders Berry Lwando, Njoki Muhoho and Femi Odugbemi.

    As part of the programme, young film-makers are provided with training and hands-on experience in the film industry, with a focus on storytelling, production, audio and directing and other key areas. The academies also provide students with an opportunity to learn directly from well-known leading industry experts, work on live sets of local TV productions and create original content that will be aired on various local M-Net channels across the MultiChoice platforms– DStv, GOtv and Showmax.

  • Big Brother Naija Season 4 to start June, says Multichoice

    Pay television channel, Multichoice Nigeria, has said the Season 4 of its reality TV show, Big Brother Naija, which kicks off in June, will be filmed in Nigeria.

    Announcing the return of the reality TV show on Sunday, Multichoice said this year’s edition has the theme: Forget Wahala.

    It said Ebuka Obi-Uchendu will return as the show host for the third time, adding that the reality TV show was scheduled to be filmed in some other countries as well.

    Multichoice Nigeria had teased the audience with a possible theme for the fourth edition, Forget Wahala, on May 2.

    The first edition was tagged Big Brother Nigeria, while second edition had the theme, See Gobe; then the third edition was tagged Double Wahala.

    Auditions for the fourth season held in February, while online auditions held in March with the audience voting for one housemate to join the members of the house.

  • Multichoice announces sponsorship of sickle cell workshop

    Leading paytelevision provider, MultiChoice Nigeria, has announced its sponsorship of the 2019 Sickle Cell Genetic Counselling workshop, organised by the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria (SCFN). The workshop, which began on  April 29 and ends on May 10, will hold at the National Sickle Cell Centre, Idi Araba in Lagos.

    The workshop is aimed at raising awareness about and deepening understanding of the Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD) as well as pointing out ways that SCD victims could lead normal lives.

    In his opening remarks, the Chairman of Sickle Cell Foundation, Nigeria, Prof. Olu Akinyanju commended MultiChoice for supporting the foundation for so many years and sponsoring the 18th edition of genetic counselling workshop. He also appealed to other corporate bodies to emulate the kind gesture of MultiChoice Nigeria.

    MultiChoice Nigeria’s sponsorship of the workshop is in continuation of its support for the management and treatment of SCD in Nigeria, which is spearheaded by the SCFN.

    Conscious of the importance of awareness and research to the control of SCD, MultiChoice Nigeria, in 2009, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SCFN.

  • Easter pop-up channel on Dstv, GOtv brings laughter

    Multichoice has announced a new pop-up channel called Naija comedy coming on on April 15.

    The channel promises a 100 percent Nigerian comedy shows – ticketed stand shows, skits, and produced shows; a ticket to viewers for some of the biggest comedy shows they may have missed in the past during the Easter period.

    Last month, two pop-up channels were launched on DStv; M-Net Movies Epic Battle Pop-Up Channel which focused on epic battles from the M-Net movies stable like Troy, Pearl harbour, Saving Private Ryan etc. and SuperheroHQ which included animation series, animation movies, as well as live-action superhero-themed movies like Batman, Superman, Justice League, Green Lantern and Teen Titans.

    “This channel will guarantee rib-cracking jokes from some of Nigeria’s finest comedians. Viewers can look to being a part to some of the biggest ticketed shows in the country” says Martin Mabutho, Chief Customer Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria.

    The channel which will run from April 15 – May 1, 2019, will provide fresh content daily. It is available to DStv Family to Premium package subscribers on channel 197 and on channel 28 GOtv Max subscribers. The show starts daily as from 12:00 Noon.

    Viewers can look forward to Alibaba’s January 1st Concert, also known as the official celebration event of the new year; Comedy Nites with IK, AY Live, The Lord of the Ribs, and Mama Tobi Untamed “The Homecoming”.

  • Africa meets India: Zee World casts African actors in series

    MULTICHOICE has announced the premiere of ‘Mehek’, the first Zee World production to star actors from African continent.

    The landmark series, which was shot entirely in India, will premiere on Saturday, April 6, on Zee World.

    The series introduces African actors Shonisani Masutha, Kamogelo Mogale, Ndaba ka Ngwane and Nomava Kibare to Zee World viewers across Sub Sahara Africa.

    “Mehek represents an important and evolutionary part of Zee World’s commitment to providing relevant, exciting and innovative content to its viewers. Zee is proud of this production and of our African actors; furthermore, it will undoubtedly set a strong foundation for similar productions in the future,” says Harish Goyal, CEO, Zee Entertainment Africa & Asia Pacific.

    “The decision to develop a Bollywood production with African actors stemmed from Zee World’s unequivocal success in Africa and the love showered by our audiences for the channel. Zee World has enjoyed tremendous growth throughout the years and Mehek was the obvious next step” says Ratna Siriah, Business Head, Zee Entertainment Africa.

    “The Multichoice group understands the importance of local content to our subscriber. As Africa’s leading content producer and most loved storyteller, we are delighted that our channel partners such as Zee share this in this vision and investing in showcasing local talent in new innovative ways.”, added Aletta Alberts, Executive Head of Content Strategy for MultiChoice.

    Mehek is the eponymous story of a young girl from Delhi, India whose love for cooking is closely tied to her mother’s memories, Shaurya (Karan Vohra), a rich and arrogant, restaurateur, and Eddie Gabela (Ndaba ka Ngwane), a successful businessman from Africa who moves to Delhi with his family.

  • Multichoice unveils Whatsapp self-service

    Multichioce Nigeria has launched a Whatsapp self- service that enables DStv subscribers to their subscription, fix error codes, make payment and rent Box Office movies.

    The Whatsapp  self-service guarantees easier usage, helps subscribers to communicate in a format that is more convenient.

    In a statement, it said the self-service allows DStv to respond to customers, thereby providing a reliable customer services.

    The Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe said the service is testament of Multichioce innovative ways of improving customers’ experience.

    Read also: MICHAEL JACKSON: Dstv to air controversial ‘Leaving Neverland’

    “We place our customers at the heart of everything we do and what this means is anticipating how to make their experience at our touch points hitch-free. This milestone is a proof that we are serious about seeking innovative ways to improve customer experience on a continuous basis”

    He said messaging apps are the solution to customer satisfaction and loyalty. Noting that Whatsapp has a wider reach of about  1.5 billion users in 180 countries, he said the service will create a 24-hour accessibility.

  • Multichoice launches whatsapp self service

    Multichioce Nigeria has launched a Whatsapp self services that enables DStv subscribers to their subscription, fix error codes, make payment and rent Box Office movies.

    The whatsapp  self services guarantees easier usage, helps subscribers to communicate in a format that is more convenient.

    In a statement, it said the self service allows DStv to instantly respond to customers thereby providing a reliable customer services.

    The Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe said the service is testament of Multichioce innovative ways of improving customers’ experience.

    “we place our customers at the heart of everything we do and what this means is anticipating how to make their experience at our touch points hitch-free. This milestone is a proof that we are serious about seeking innovative ways to improve customer experience on a continuous basis”

    He said messaging apps are the perfect solution to increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty. Noting that Whatsapp has a wider reach of about  1.5 billion users in 180 countries, he said the service will create convince and 24 hours accessibility.

  • BBNaija season4 scammers : Multichoice cautions upcoming artistes

    Multichoice has dissociated itself from the activities of a scammer who is trying to defraud upcoming musicians who wish that their works are aired on Big Brother Naija Show Season Four.

    A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) investigation reveals that the scammer, identified as Fola, is requesting the artistes to pay different sums for their acts to feature in the show.

    Foa sends Whatsapp announcements to the musicians to enable them to participate in the show at a fee.


    The deal has three packages, namely, per song rotation in the house, performance at the live shows and a DJ package.

    The first package costs N150, 000, the second, N450, 000 and the third, N250, 000.

    Under the deal, the artistes are to be invited to play on one of the Saturday parties that are part of the BBNaija show.

    NAN found that the money is to be paid into a proxy account not connected to DStv, a direct broadcast satellite service owned by Multichoice, the organisers of the show.

    When approached, a representative of the promoter simply asked NAN for the package the artiste wanted and if he would love to perform or have his songs played in the house.

    The representative thereafter requested the artiste to make payment and send the song via mail.

    The representative insisted that the organizers were mindful of their reputation.

    Some artistes (names withheld), who have already subscribed to the proposal, told NAN that they were taken in because they believed that it was usual practice of such payments to avoid any official trace.

    They said though they have subscribed, they are yet to make their payment.

    Meanwhile, the DStv, has refuted the claims of the group and promptly issued a statement distancing itself from the deal.

    The company said: “some information has been circulation that Big Brother Naija will give music artists an opportunity to air their songs for a fee.

    “Please note that the information is utterly false. Multichoice Nigeria does not and will not solicit for payment from anyone to play their songs during the Big Brother Naija season four.

    “Also note that we have not authorised any individual, group of individuals or organisations to act on our behalf. Please be guided and do not be a victim of fraud.”

  • MultiChoice Talent Factory networking portal goes live

    The MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) Portal, the digital hub conceived as the premier destination for connecting Africa’s creative industries, went live on Tuesday after its launch in Lagos.

    The MTF Portal, www.multichoicetalentfactory.com, is the third touchpoint of the MultiChoice Talent Factory, the company’s shared-value initiative. Its launch follows that of the MTF Academy, a 12-month film training programme aimed at upskilling the next generation of young film creatives, last October; and the MTF Masterclasses, launched in January, to upskill industry professionals.

    The interactive online portal is aimed at profiling and connecting Africa’s creatives as well as bringing pan-African talents and opportunities together in one place. The digital portal will allow filmmakers across the continent to network, find talent and showcase their work.

    Access to the portal is through registration on www.multichoicetalentfactory.com, which will serve as an authoritative source of industry news, supported by MultiChoice’s position as Africa’s leading storyteller. Users of the portal, up and coming creative talents, can also connect and collaborate. The MTF Portal will also provide information on the MTF Academies and Masterclasses.

    The portal forms part of the investment MultiChoice is making to improve quality and support the production of local content and storytelling across the continent. It will serve both seasoned professionals and aspiring talent in Africa’s film and TV industry.

    Femi Odugbemi, MTF Academy West Africa Director, believes that the networking portal will be yet another important tool that will play a key role in strengthening the credibility of Nigeria’s creative film and television industry.

    “For a long time, professionals within our industry have gone to great lengths to prove that what we do is credible enough to be treated as an important economic player in our economy,” he said.

    “The MTF portal will prove that not only is our industry just as structured, but most importantly, that it can compete on a global scale.”

    Users wishing to connect with other creatives across Africa are directed to register and create a profile to have an exclusive avenue to showcase their talents, connect and network with other industry individuals, scout for skills and stay informed about the latest opportunities in the continent’s  creative industries.

  • MultiChoice launches three NTA channels on GOtv

    MultiChoice Nigeria has expanded its free-to-air (FTA) news, politics and entertainment channel offerings on GOtv with the introduction of three new channels from the stable of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

    The 24-hour channels – NTA 2, NTA Parliament and NTA News 24 – begun airing on January 31 and are available to GOtv customers on MAX, Plus Value and Lite packages.

    NTA News 24 (GOtv channel 46) is an English language general news channel, providing current affairs, business, social, economy, sports and entertainment news as well as in-depth discussions and analyses of topical issues by experts on current regional and international developments. NTA 2 (GOtv channel 114) is a general entertainment channel providing movies, music, events and talk shows among others, while NTA Parliament (GOtv channel 115) will focus on live coverage of sittings of the Senate, House of Representatives, state assemblies, as well as discussions and analysis of political, economic, social technological and legal issues affecting Nigeria.

    Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe said: “The new NTA channels will showcase authentic Nigerian content from news to general entertainment that will keep customers in and out of Nigeria abreast of  happenings within the country. With this, we have once again enriched our local content offering on our platforms providing our customers more options to choose from.”