by Thinus Ferreira
MultiChoice has picked up Big Brother Naija for two seasons, meaning that the Nigerian version shown across sub-Saharan Africa on DStv and its streaming service Showmax has essentially already been "renewed" for a 9th season in 2024.
The 8th season of Big Brother Nigeria, entitled Big Brother Naija: All Stars started on Sunday night on DStv and Showmax but before its debut, MultiChoice and M-Net have already signed for this 8th season as part of a two-season rights pick-up from Banijay Rights.
Big Brother Naija: All Stars is produced by Red Pepper Pictures.
MultiChoice and M-Net's two-season pick-up marks their first two-season acquisition of the Big Brother format, meaning that another season which will be Big Brother Naija's 9th season, will definitely be happening in 2024.
"Big Brother has earned the right to be called the most-watched, and followed, show across Africa," says Nomsa Philiso, MultiChoice CEO for general entertainment, in a statement.
"For us at MultiChoice, it aligns with our commitment to delight and entertain our viewers across the continent. This two-year partnership with Banijay ensures continuity and an uninterrupted delivery of Big Brother, which fans and our viewers are always eager to tune in to watch."
Robin Pollok, vice president of sales for the Africa, Middle East, Greece & Israel region at Banijay Rights, says "After the recent finale of Big Brother: Titans, which notably featured contestants from both South Africa and Nigeria, this follows on as a fantastic double pick-up from M-Net".
"Big Brother is a show that's consistently generated incredible ratings and entertainment value and we're delighted to be working once again with our Nigerian broadcast and production partners."
To date, Big Brother has had 66 adaptations, broadcast across 72 countries, with over 520 seasons and 35 000 episodes. Last year there were 33 versions of Big Brother done, shown across 26 markets.
Big Brother Naija: All Stars will be shown for 24 hours a day on the Big Brother Naija pop-up channel on DStv channel 198, with various weekly highlight programmes on the Africa Magic Urban (DStv 153), Africa Magic Family (DStv 154) channel.
Big Brother Naija: All Stars is running for 10 weeks (70 days) until 1 October which is Nigeria's Independence Day, featuring returning contestants chosen from across season three's "Double Wahala" to season 7's "Level Up", with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu who is back as the host of the show.
