Broadcasting
Harassment of Multichoice Spells Trouble for Other Investors
Nigeria is gradually turning from a market darling to a risky land in the eyes of many investors.
Policies somersaults; regulatory instability; large scale distractions from lawmakers as well as opinions of ill-informed experts are conspiring to hobble Nigeria’s fledgling broadcasting industry,
And the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has also opened itself to a needless controversy in current bid to regulate the broadcast industry.
Elsewhere, either by ignorance or mischief, the House of Representatives is hounding Multichoice, operators of DStv and GOtv over current pricing model.
The House ad-hoc committee is convinced that the pay-TV operator is ripping Nigerians off with its current pricing model and has resolved to force change by compelling cable service providers to switch to a pay-per-view (PPV) or pay-as-you-go (PAYG) pricing model.
According to weetracker.com, the PPV/PAYG option might prove a bigger problem because pay-TV companies like Multichoice Group expend hundreds of millions of dollars acquiring broadcasting/licensing rights all over the world.
Some companies acquire broadcasting rights for years at a time with upfront payment.
“For instance, Multichoice’s popular DStv sports channel, SuperSport, paid EUR 296 Mn (USD 332.05 Mn, at today’s rates) for the 2016-19 Barclays Premier League broadcast rights in Sub-Saharan Africa.” weetracker.com reported.
After paying so much to acquire these rights, companies like Multichoice recoup this money from subscriptions while targeting profits.
But sometimes the margins are quite narrow.
According to weetracker.com, if Multichoice gets strong-armed into going the PAYG or PPV route in Nigeria, there is hardly a doubt that the company will adjust its pricing to offset the difference and make their money back; such that the PPV/PAYG option might prove even more costly for subscribers after all checks and balances are done.
But even this point is moot as Multichoice has previously made it clear that it is incapable of implementing the PPV model.
Nico Meyer, CEO of MultiChoice Africa, told an entertainment content conference that was held in Mauritius in 2014 that his company has no capacity to put in place such a facility.
“We procure content on a monthly basis, we don’t procure it based on the time the consumer will be using it, but on an entire month,” said Meyer.
The MultiChoice Africa boss added that, unlike mobile operators and electricity companies, they were unable to detect when their subscribers are actually using their service.
“If you buy airtime and you consume it, they will deduct it because they can tell. But we cannot tell when someone is traveling or not using it.
“All I know is that someone pays on a monthly basis and we make that service available but I cannot tell if you are consuming the service,” he said.
By the admission of Armstrong Idachaba, acting director-general, NBC, the agency has on many occasions compared the tariffs in Nigeria with those of other African countries and found out that Nigeria’s rates are much lower in some cases, including the company’s home country, South Africa, where it actually has a far greater number of subscribers.
As of November 2019, the group’s overall subscriber base stood at 18.9 million households with South Africa single-handedly accounting for 8.2 million of those.
The remaining 49 countries where Multichoice broadcasts, including Nigeria, collectively make up 10.7 million.
Of DSTV’s 13.5 million subscribers in Sub-Saharan, Nigeria accounts for barely 1.5 million.
This should put to bed any talk of Nigeria’s being Multichoice’s largest market, as South Africa actually has nearly 5-times Nigeria’s total DStv subscriptions.
Another misconception that is common among Nigerians is the unfounded idea that the group offers the PPV option in South Africa.
According to weetracker.com, this s is a bogus and untrue claim as Multichoice is not known to offer such anywhere.
Indeed, DStv and GOtv bouquet prices increased significantly recently but this may not be unconnected to the revised taxing regime that came into effect this year.
Earlier this year, Nigeria had implemented a new Value-Added Tax (VAT) regime which was a 50 percent climb from the previous figure.
The move by NBC to upend the existing right of broadcasters to exclusivity of their content indicates a descent to feudalism–a dominant social and economic system in medieval Europe where ownership of land and other factors of production is by privilege of birth and not on the basis of innovation and hard work.
Africa Magic, in partnership with MultiChoice, is thrilled to announce the call to entry for the 11th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).
Entries open on Monday, 23 December 2024, and close on Friday, 31 January 2025.
The AMVCAs celebrate exceptional talent, creativity, and innovation within the African film, television, and entertainment industry, showcasing the continent’s finest storytellers, performers, and production professionals.
Consequently, filmmakers, producers, production companies, creators, are encouraged to submit films, made-for- television movies or television series that were broadcast or publicly screened, from 1 December, 2023 to 31 December, 2024, for a chance to be recognized at Africa’s most prestigious awards event.
Speaking on the upcoming edition, Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice, said, “The AMVCAs have become a beacon of excellence, celebrating the vibrancy and diversity of African storytelling.
“We are excited to once again open the doors for talented creatives across the continent to showcase their remarkable work to the world.”
The 11th AMVCA promises to be a spectacular celebration of African entertainment, giving our talented creatives their flowers and creating unforgettable memories.
The event will be broadcast live on Africa Magic channels across the continent, bringing the glitz and glamour of the awards to millions of viewers.
To enter your submissions and for more information and updates on the AMVCAs, visit https://www.africamagic.tv/AMVCA.
Also follow Africa Magic on social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @africamagic to stay in the know.
Aero Contractors recently hosted its Long Service Award Ceremony, a momentous event dedicated to honoring distinguished retirees for their exceptional service and unwavering commitment to the organization.
The ceremony, which celebrated loyalty and excellence, featured the presentation of recognition plaques and the disbursement of retirement benefits to the honorees. Among those celebrated were:
•Capt. Gerald Nmoka
•Stephen Kukoyi
•Promise Amadi
•Victor Aitanun
•Nwankwo Stephen N.
The management of Aero Contractors expressed profound gratitude to these outstanding individuals, whose dedication and expertise have significantly contributed to the airline’s growth and success over the years.
Speaking at the event, Aero Contractors’ Managing Director, Capt. Ado Sanusi, underscored the importance of celebrating excellence and fostering a culture of recognition within the organization. “Our retirees have exemplified the highest standards of professionalism and commitment. Their legacy will continue to inspire our team as we build a brighter future for Aero Contractors,” he stated.
As a leading airline in Nigeria, Aero Contractors remains committed to supporting its employees and creating an environment that values their contributions. This commitment reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to uphold its reputation as a trusted, value driven airline”
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has refuted claims that it approved a herbal product marketed as “lung-cleansing tea” for smokers.
Mojisola Adeyeye, director-general of NAFDAC, in a statement on Saturday, December 14, clarified that the product, identified as Lungitox (Smokers Pride), was never approved and had its registration application rejected due to its unsubstantiated health claims.
“The attention of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has been drawn to a misleading video circulating on social media, alleging that NAFDAC approved the registration of a herbal product claiming that ‘smoking is healthy’ when used with their product,” the statement read.
“NAFDAC wishes to categorically state that this claim is false and completely unfounded.
“The product in question—Lung Detox Tea or Lungitox (Smokers Pride) or any similar product—is NOT registered by NAFDAC.
The unscrupulous individual behind this product had applied for registration, but the application was outrightly rejected due to the unsubstantiated and dangerous claim that smoking could be made ‘healthy’ by consuming the product.”
NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health and ensuring that only safe and scientifically validated products are approved.
“NAFDAC remains steadfast in its mandate to protect public health and ensure that only safe, effective, and scientifically substantiated products are approved.
“We condemn any attempt to mislead or endanger the public with false claims.
“The public is advised to disregard this video and report any suspicious claims or products to the Agency through our official channels.”
Adeyeye provided contact information for reporting such claims, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant.
“For further inquiries or reports, please contact NAFDAC via 0800-162-3322, email [email protected], or visit our website at www.nafdac.gov.ng.
NAFDAC will continue to take decisive action against any individual or entity attempting to violate public health standards.”
The agency reiterated its dedication to ensuring that all products in the Nigerian market meet the required safety and efficacy standards.
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