How Multichoice Nigeria earned its king of entertainment and content moniker

Entertainment Editor, ROTIMI IGE, in this report, analyses how MultiChoice Nigeria, owners of DStv and GOtv satellite television platforms, keeps its commitment to millions of viewers all year round with various home-grown entertainment.

Multichoice Nigeria, prides itself as a company committed to providing quality entertainment guaranteed to keep viewers glued to their screens. According to its management, it remains a forever evolving giant in the entertainment industry, geared to create a community of diverse viewers with a variety of content specifically designed to suit each individual’s preference.

This mandate, may be why the company continues to provide exciting content for its customers through reality shows, local drama series and all round entertainment for the country and continent.

From the just concluded Big Brother Naija to the recently launched Gulder Ultimate Search, Pop central’s new show ‘The Rush’, ex-BBNaija winner, Mercy’s ‘What Next?’ and the new Africa Magic shows, ‘Dilemma’ and ‘Venge’, MultiChoice Nigeria seems to keep setting trends for the times, and dares itself to raise the bar by delivering every time on an impressive lineup of shows that quickly become fan favourites.

An example is the last two BBNaija seasons which, even with interference from the COVID-19 pandemic, still became the trending and most talked about shows on the continent and threw up the most twists to viewers. Now, just after this year’s edition ended, the company is set to excite viewers again with the 12th season of the hugely anticipated Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS).

The GUS show, sponsored by Nigerian Breweries, is in partnership with MultiChoice Nigeria and will be shown on DStv and GOtv.

Speaking on the partnership, Executive Head, Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice Nigeria, Busola Tejumola commended Nigerian Breweries on the return of Nigeria’s first reality television show that celebrates the tenacity of young Nigerians.

“To ensure that we deliver the best local content and retain our customers, we continue to push the envelope and embrace partnerships with content producers that share the same goal. We remain committed to delivering quality and entertaining locally produced content on our DStv and GOtv platforms, and with GUS, viewers can expect the same stellar production qualities that we are renowned for”, she said.

With actor, Kunle Remi as Task Master and Toke Makinwa as anchor, the show will see 18 contestants compete in the jungle for nine weeks, and the ultimate champion will go home with 50 million naira worth of prizes.

Asides these, other new shows are serially being rolled out. One currently making headlines is ‘Mercy What Next?’, another reality TV show which engages fans with unscripted details of the life of EX BBNaija ‘Pepper Dem’ winner, Mercy Eke, which premiered earlier this month. The show tells a story of Mercy from a new perspective, highlighting her life two years after winning BBNaija, and also acts as a lesson guide to young audiences on managing fame, dealing with an increasing fan base, and the business of celebrity life.

Africa Magic’s two new shows, ‘Dilemma‘ and ‘Venge’, are set to become the latest telenovelas that will keep lovers of local series thrilled.

Dilemma chronicles the lives of two estranged lovers – Kaineto and Kanan, who after years of separation, trace their way back to each other, to face a history they would rather forget. Love might have led them back together, but it may not be enough to win the challenges thrown their way.

Venge on the other hand, tells a gripping story of scandalous secrets, lies, and betrayals, taking viewers on Bibi’s journey as she seeks to unravel several conspiracies which has left a trail of  murder and fear on her quest for justice and revenge. Both shows are screened every week night.

Speaking on the rationale behind the new telenovelas which replaced ‘Enakhe‘ and ‘Riona’, Busola Tejumola said, “We are excited to premiere these telenovelas on our Africa Magic channels as it once again underscores our positioning as Africa’s most loved storyteller. ‘Venge’ and ‘Dilemma’ explores modern-day themes that viewers will connect to at different levels. Each plot, twist and suspense will keep viewers from across Africa on the edge of their seats as they follow the drama and connect with the characters”.

Also seeking to create more entertainment are other channels on the DStv platform. Pop Central channel on DStv, recently announced ‘The Rush’, which is a high energy, adrenaline pumping and physically intense reality show, coming to screens next month and would run till December.

16 contestants will be selected after an audition process to compete in groups for eight weeks and engage in 39 meticulously designed intensive physical and mental tasks. According to organisers, ‘The Rush‘ is designed to be both exciting and intensive. The show will have dedicated task segments, contestants in-residence segment, diary room segment, host driver, and voice over to drive the story. Contestants will vote to eliminate each other weekly, while the viewers will vote to keep their favourites in. Contestants will also be able to earn immunity through various tasks during the weekdays.

“People are generally intrigued by extreme or intense sports because while most people will not indulge in it, they are in the end captivated by the outcome. We have tapped into this to create The Rush reality show that revolves around adventurous content and healthy competition to entertain viewers and keep them at the edge of their seats”, says Yinka Obebe, Chief Executive Officer, Pop Central TV.

The reality show is set in two stages, the task stage and the chillout scenario in the residence. The live residence segment of the show reveals the human side of the contestants after the completion of their arduous challenges which are done outdoors.

“The Nigerian audience is quite aware of how reality shows work. However, ‘The Rush’ is offering viewers a new exciting and entertaining twist to reality TV programming as they watch and vote for their favourite contestants to get a chance at overcoming extreme routines and tasks”, Obebe concluded.

All these, among many other movie offerings,music shows like Turn Up Friday, Owambe Saturday and pop up channels that the platform constantly brings back for its audience, position MultiChoice Nigeria as an entertainment company committed to satisfying the ever increasing appetite of its customers as well as growing the entertainment industry through continuous engagement.

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