DStv begins negotiations with movie producers to commence Igbo channel
MultiChoice, operator of DStv Satellite Television service, a major satellite TV service in sub-Saharan Africa, has started negotiations with movie producers to introduce Igbo channel among its bouquets.
Martin Mabutho, the company’s general manager (marketing and sales), said at an interactive session with newsmen in Lagos last weekend that discussions were ongoing with movie producers from South East. “They have put their hand up to say that they are now ready. When AfricaMagic was structured perhaps they were not ready but now they say they are ready and discussions are underway with our content team – Africa Magic,” he said.
Two major Nigerian language channels running on DStv are Hausa and Yoruba as Ndigbo, major investors in Nollywood with their vast population, have waited for their language channel for a long time.
If the current discussions with movie producers are successfully concluded, the eventual introduction of Igbo Channel will not only balance equation but would be a relieve to Igbo people who prefer movie stories in their language.
Mabutho further lined up activities for DStv network in the weeks ahead, saying the moment now is the World Cup, which he described as the biggest party in the world. “As we promised, we are bringing the games live and direct to our subscribers in Standard definition and High definition TV. We also promised that all the matches will come live and some delayed will be shown on GOtv.”
After the World Cup, in the next 30 days, he said the network will continue with more sporting programmes like the Commonwealth Games for which it had secured the broadcast rights.
“Nigeria loves that competition because medal table is something Nigerians look forward to because at the last outing it was encouraging,” he said.
When the Commonwealth ends, DStv will start the EPL season when all the players are back to their respective teams. It will resume in mid August.
According to him, DStv will also showcase the feminine favourite, the Big Brother Africa, which at this stage, negotiations are underway to ensure that it is broadcast in GOtv platform.
While the BBA is up, “we will run other programmes that I will not reveal now but it is something of Nigerian specific,” he said.
In January, Nigeria will go back to defend the nations cup which DStv will also beam to Nigerians. “From programme point of view we look solid and hope that women will not worry too much during the world cup but the programme that is under way will break the male favoured programmes,” he said.
Also speaking at the interactive session, Amkpa Elizabeth, the general manager at GOtv, said the channel was partnering with Nigerian Broadcasting Commission on digital migration.
Signatories to International Telecommunication Union (ITU) agreed to switch off analogue and switch on digital broadcasting in June 17, next year. Elizabeth said Nigerian government has promised to flag off campaign for the migration in Jos on June 30, this year.
“This is when the awareness and other campaigns will begin. This will begin to unveil what GOtv is doing as a partner because we know that one company cannot do it alone, there will likely be other partners with NBC but we are going to play a big part in providing digital television to the mass market,” she said.
On the impact of migration, she said there will be a lot of pressure on content, but with DTT coming up, it will be a move to watch TV from a different angle. Subscribers will be able to enjoy TV like never before.
Daniel Obi