Content providers meet at Showcase Extravaganza in Mauritius

Tim Jacobs (Multichoice Africa CEO)

Story by 

Nigerian Correspondent 

Hazeez Balogun

It was a magical week for African entertainment when MultiChoice hosted its second Content Showcase Extravaganza in spectacular style at the Outrigger Resort. The star-studded guest list had the who's who of Africa's entertainment and media. 

At the opening day, the guests walked down the African media Walk of Fame onto a red-carpet that opened up to a sensational night of dazzling entertainment. The event, dubbed 'Night of a Thousand Stars' saw all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, Bollywood and Nollywood come to life on the island paradise, as guests that include Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, Desmond Elliot and Ramsey Nuoah were given the full movie-star treatment. Flavour, Stonebwoy and The Mavins kept the guests on their feet with their popular hits while the night's MCs IK and Eku kept the glamorous proceedings running smoothly.

Guest also experienced host IK who also brought his popular show, High Lites with IK, to the stage in Mauritius with a delightful interview with Nigerian crooner Banky W alongside music by DJ Sose.

MultiChoice Africa's CEO Tim Jacobs took to the stage to welcome guests with a promise that the video entertainment service provider will do all it can to make only the best content available to its subscribers on any platform, on any device and at any time.

“We believe television is an extremely powerful tool that can educate, entertain and inform. The evolution of this medium has become fast and furious and as a business we are constantly evolving to stay ahead,” said Jacobs at a glittering ‘Night of a Thousand Stars’ event. “MultiChoice’s business is built around three key pillars: people; content - in the form of great entertainment, news and sport - and the latest cutting-edge technology. Our mission is to ensure that our subscribers do not miss out on any of the stories, events or moments that are shaping our future.”

Jacobs lauded the success of MultiChoice’s GOtv DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) offering, which currently operates in 8 countries, bringing low-cost digital television to homes and supporting governments in freeing up vital broadcast spectrum by switching from analogue to digital signal.

He also acknowledged the challenges which the business faces. “Our growth over the last 20 years has been a result of massive investments we have made in people, content and technology but as with any business, not all of these investments or changes have hit the spot. So we have from time to time re-evaluated our position and made changes to our strategies. At the end of the day however it is really our subscribers we have to thank for staying with us, trusting us to deliver the best television experience and customer service to make their experience world class,” said Jacobs.

M-Net Regional Director West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, reminded guests that M-Net has a near 30-year history on the continent, where it started with a daily 12-hour broadcast on a single channel. Now, having changed the way television is viewed across the continent, the broadcaster leads the way in producing, acquiring and showcasing the best entertainment content in Africa. “Our first broadcast in 1986 led to other firsts like the launch of SuperSport and the Mzansi Magic, Zambezi Magic, Jango Magic and Africa Magic channels; and with the creation of exciting, genre-defining and iconic content like Carte Blanche and Tinsel, M-Net continues to shape cultures, build bridges and empower talent across Africa even as we remain synonymous with all things entertainment on the continent,” said Mba-Uzoukwu.

She echoed Jacobs’ sentiments about the need for constant evolution, to stay ahead of the video entertainment service provision field. “We are launching and redefining channels and we continue to expand our content offerings to viewers across the continent. Our ongoing and significant investments in local productions have positioned Africa on the entertainment global arena and with new technology we continue to reach even more people, ensuring that no one ever misses the M-Net Magic. Our investment drive remains geared not only towards the industries in which we play, but also in the people who power them,” said Mba-Uzoukwu.

The MultiChoice Africa Content Showcase was a dynamic 5-day content extravaganza, which biggest channels, including Sony, SuperSport, Zee World, A+E, Disney, MTV Base, BET, Comedy Central, BBC and M-Net previewing their latest and greatest content, soon to be seen across the video entertainment services provider’s platforms

Also at the event, Pan-African broadcaster Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa is celebrated its tenth anniversary by making its biggest ever investment in content for African audiences.  The network announced its plans to grow investment in local productions aimed at entertaining viewers from 4 to 40 years old and above across its growing suite of entertainment channels, including Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr, NickToons, MTV, MTV Base and BET.

Commented Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, VIMN Africa, “We are excited about our 2015 and 2016 slate of high quality content that will engage our African viewers across multiple genres including stand-up comedy, music specials, entertainment news, chart shows and awards properties.” 

He noted that Key programme launches from September 2015 onwards include, the creation of brand new themed events for VIMN Africa’s comedy, kids and general entertainment channels, including an international comedy festival (Comedy Central), and a Nigerian version of family friendly festival NickFest (Nickelodeon).