DATELINE LAGOS: M-Net Africa explains why it has become 'significantly important' for the pay-TV broadcaster to regionalise its African operations.

M-Net Africa says it has become "significantly important" for the pan-African pay-TV broadcaster to regionalise in different areas across Africa and to, through that, chart an even stronger stronger course by producing and channeling specific, local and regionalised TV content to viewers.

M-Net just appointed its first-ever regional director for M-Net in West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, its first ever regional director for East Africa, Michael Ndetei and made Yolisa Phahle the new CEO of M-Net in South Africa in a trifecta executive move.

TV with Thinus asked Biola Alabi, the managing director for M-Net in Africa for special projects, about the stronger regional emphasis of M-Net across specific African territories, why it is happening, and what it means.

Biola Alabi oversees the AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards, with the 2nd annual edition of the awards ceremony which took place on Saturday evening in Lagos, Nigeria, and which was broadcast across the African continent on MultiChoice's DStv pay-TV platform.

"The AfricaMagic Original Films we're doing in Kenya, we're doing them in Nigeria. We want to expand across West Africa and across East Africa. So its becoming significantly important for us to regionalise our operations".

"Our markets are growing in these regions. But at the same time also regions want much more relevant content. So even though we're a pan-African broadcaster we're recognising this," said Biola Alabi.

"We're going to be rolling out even more TV channels and they're going to be even more region specific. We want to get that specialised expertise in, which is why we appointed our regional directors".

"So we're very excited about these people, and about pushing it forward with regional leadership and regional vision for our corporation going forward. We're very excited and I think you're going to see great stuff coming from us in the future with our local production plans," said Biola Alabi.