Broadcasting
Big Brother Africa Season 9 Auditions Begins September
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The ninth edition of Africa’s biggest reality series Big Brother Africa kicks off in September and already fans are asking…who will the new housemates be?
Who will find their names and their faces gracing newspapers? Who will become the subject of drive time radio and just who will find themselves trending on all social media platforms?
Unlike previous years, this year’s entry process is slightly different as potential housemates are invited to come in their numbers for auditions in their respective country venues. Auditions will take place at Protea Hotel Leadway, Ikeja, Lagos on Monday, June 30 and Tuesday, July 1.
AfricaMagic has always been associated with unearthing, nurturing and recognizing talent from around the continent; and Big Brother Africa is one of the shows that have become known for transforming ordinary citizens into stars.
“We are very grateful and remain pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming response that the show has been receiving over the years. We look forward to the selection of our potential housemates coming in large numbers to auditions at the specified venues and take that chance at being the next Big Brother star,” says M-Net Africa Regional Director (West Africa) Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu. “The fact that the fans truly adore the show is all the motivation we need to keep it fresh and that is always made possible by the enthusiastic and fun-loving young Africans who will answer to Big Brother. We are rearing to go and we know that this will definitely be another exciting season that is full of quality entertainment,” she adds.
Her sentiments are echoed by Endemol MD Sivan Pillay who says: “We have been producing this series for M-Net for a number of seasons now and as partners, together we have seen this show grow to the phenomenon that it has become. We hope the season will be even better as we strive to improve on our offering season after season. We will not hold back on the quality and exciting unpredictability that has become synonymous with Big Brother Africa. Audiences and fans can expect yet another high quality production and of course, another group of fun-loving housemates who will keep you guessing on who will be left standing come day 91.”
Nico Meyer, chief executive officer, MultiChoice Africa says: “As MultiChoice Africa we are always pleased to welcome each new season of Big Brother Africa onto our platforms and we applaud its amazing success and ability to bring together audiences from all across the continent. The inclusion of Rwanda in this season is even more exciting as this displays that our reach and growth into the various sub-Saharan markets is going from strength to strength. We look forward to seeing further growth as well as the impressive social media presence that the show enjoys.”
All persons over the age of 21, who are citizens of one of the participating countries and have a valid passport, can enter Big Brother Africa 9. If you are open-minded, bold and adventurous, that’s even better! Previous editions of Big Brother Africa have boasted huge cash prizes for winners and this it is no different as the prize money is USD 300 000.
Remember, entries are open to the following 14 countries: Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Big Brother Africa 8 will be screened live 24/7 on DStv channels 197 and 198 while GOtv audiences will see highlights of the show, which begins on Sunday 7 September and is scheduled to run for 91 days. Big Brother Africa is produced by ENDEMOL SA.
Broadcasting
MultiChoice Announces Fresh Price Hike for DStv, GOtv Packages
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MultiChoice Nigeria has announced an increase in subscription rates for its DStv and GOtv packages, effective March 1, 2025.
In a statement issued to customers on Monday, the company cited the need to maintain the quality of its service as the reason for the price adjustment.
The statement, titled “Price Adjustments for DStv and GOtv Packages,” read, “Dear Customer, please note that effective 1 March 2025, there will be a price adjustment on all DStv packages. This is to enable us to continue to offer our customers world-class homegrown and international content, delivered through the best technology.”
This increase came nearly a year after the company’s last price review, reflecting rising operational costs.
MultiChoice attributed the hike to economic pressures, including the depreciation of the naira and high inflation, which have significantly impacted its business operations in Nigeria.
According to the new pricing structure, the DStv Compact bouquet will rise from N15,700 to N19,000, while the Compact Plus package will now cost N30,000. The Premium subscription will increase to N44,500.
For GOtv subscribers, those on the GOtv Jinja package will now pay N3,900, up from N3,600.
The GOtv Plus package will increase from N4,850 to N5,800, while GOtv Max will now cost N8,500. The GOtv Supa and Supa Plus packages will be priced at N11,400 and N16,800, respectively.
MultiChoice has consistently defended its price adjustments, pointing to economic realities that have made running its services in Nigeria more expensive. The company maintained that the price review is necessary to sustain its offerings and ensure continued access to quality content.
Broadcasting
KongaFM Basks in Rave Reviews from Nigerians
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KongaFM -103.7, Africa’s pioneering hit music and commerce radio station, is reshaping the broadcasting space with utter broadcasting professionalism and Nigerians are happy.
With its unique blend of music, advertisements and shopping, KongaFM is winning hearts.
Operating on terrestrial frequencies in Lagos on 103.7 and streaming online for listeners globally at www.kongafm.com, KongaFM has quickly become a favourite among audiences.
Promoters of the station are basking in the rave reviews.
Chris Uwaje, tech policy adviser, global speaker and former president of Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), said described the station as revolutionary.
“Awesome, very incredible and very futuristic entrenurship strategy. I predict very soon, KongaFm will be the numero-uno radio in Africa” he said
Louisa Olaniyi, one of Nigeria’s finest broadcasters simply said “Wow, brilliant”
Bargain hunters and shoppers are also thrilled by genuineness of deals on the station.
Nicholas Isiobi, a shopper said “I am happy with the quality and affordability of the products promoted. It is worth all my while”
Every day, the station kicked off with an exciting mix of hit music, motivational content, and commercial activities, setting itself apart as a trailblazer in the radio industry.
Grace Yusuf, one listener, mentioned how the station has positively impacted her daily routine.
“KongaFM is my go-to station every morning while commuting to work. The gospel music is great, while other content and inspiring discussions keep me motivated throughout the day,” she said.
Tunde Obaposh, currently pursuing his PhD in Robotics in Kansas, shared his experience streaming Konga FM online.
“I believe KongaFM is going to redefine the standard in the radio space. I love how they incorporate AI into their broadcasts, making the experience seamless and engaging,” he noted.
Perhaps the major standout of KongaFM and Konga.com is turning live radio broadcasts into an interactive shopping experience, allowing listeners to place orders seamlessly, even without expending much cash on data.
Nigerian shoppers now have more options with Konga.com, and most importantly, they can enjoy unbeatable prices on all items announced live on radio.
Broadcasting
Ayra Starr leads Spotify’s Nigeria Global Impact List 2025
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Nigerian music isn’t just a local force anymore, it’s a global takeover. Spotify’s 2025 Global Impact List shows just how far Nigerian music and artists have come, with Ayra Starr leading the way.
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Ayra Starr
This list celebrates the 30 Nigerian songs that have connected most powerfully with international audiences this year, highlighting the country’s ever-growing influence on the world stage.
Ayra Starr: Nigeria’s Global Hitmaker
Ayra Starr, the “Sabi Girl,” is a chart-topping force reshaping the global music scene. Her catchy hits consistently top Nigerian charts, and her influence resonates worldwide, turning her music into international anthems. This makes her a leading voice in the exciting evolution of global music, transforming the soundscape one hit at a time.
This influence is clearly evident in her chart dominance. As a Spotify RADAR and EQUAL alumna and Nigeria’s most-streamed female artist on the platform in 2024, Ayra Starr’s artistry and strategic approach to global music are undeniable. While only two of her own tracks, Last Heartbreak Song and Bad Vibes appear on the Spotify Global Impact List, her collaborative power is evident with the chart-topping success of Santa. This track, featuring her alongside producer Rvssian and Latin artist Rauw Alejandro, showcases Ayra’s ability to connect with diverse audiences and expand her reach through strategic partnerships across different markets. Her impressive showing on the list, with six entries including Commas, GOOD FEELiNGS and Hypé underscores her versatility and appeal.
Her album, The Year I Turned 21, also cemented her global reach, ranking among the top 10 most-streamed albums of the year. Santa’s undeniable popularity speaks volumes about her global appeal and influence.
The Power of Collaboration
The global reach of Nigerian music is significantly amplified by the power of collaboration. The Global Impact List underscores this crucial role, revealing that 22 of the 30 listed songs are collaborations. This demonstrates that such partnerships are not merely a trend, but a necessity for Nigerian artists seeking international success. While three of these collaborations feature fellow Nigerian artists, 19 involve partnerships with artists from other countries, highlighting how cross-continental collaborations drive global recognition. Top hits like Santa, WE PRAY (TINI Version), and Another Vibe perfectly illustrate this collaborative power.
Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Phiona Okumu, notes, “Nigerian artists are breaking boundaries and the world is listening. Nigerian music has always been rich and diverse, and at Spotify, we’re proud to amplify these talents globally.”
Explore the vibrant cross-cultural sounds of Spotify’s Gone Abroad playlist that showcases exciting collaborations between international artists and the best of Nigerian and African talent.
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