Today's interesting TV stories to read from TV with Thinus - 15 September 2015

SABC fires Sammy Sosa.
"Sick" Sammy secretly used her time to film Vuzu AMP (DStv 114)'s hip-hop reality show The Hustle.


India gripped by murder mystery of the TV executive who allegedly murdered her sister - who was actually her daughter!
India's numerous 24-hour TV news channels are all going insane with lurid live coverage, panel shows, discussions, gripping satire and commentary of TV executive Indrani Mukerjea, Indian's first TV mogul, who allegedly strangled her sister Sheena Bora to death ...
... only for the shock revelation that Sheena Bora was actually ... her daughter!
... with the irony that her husband was a pioneer of satellite TV 24-hour TV news!
... going from setting up 24-hour TV news, to be covered by it incessantly!
... who now claims his domineering wife abused him!
... viewers across India are gripped - just like South Africa's Oscar Pistorius trial, by the surreal, real-life crime drama about rich and famous people engulfed by murder, hidden identities and a body burnt in a forest!
... it's a sensational TV news moral fable about materialism, media and motherhood.


Tumultuous exodus underway at Bloomberg Television (DStv 411).
A dramatic string of TV executives are out at the business news TV channel. Also went through one of its biggest firings last week when 80 Bloomberg editorial staffers globally were shown the door.



M-Net South Africa CEO Yolisa Phahle shares her story.
M-Net top executive who was raised in Britain with South African parents, tells CliffCentral how she got to the position and her music history in a wide-ranging 54 minute interview.
The relevant M-Net part starts at minute 22 until minute 46 where she talks about Mzansi Magic, reveals she was worried and panicked about the Channel O youth day mock-up ad, talks hit shows and scandals, transformation, reveals she was involved in casting the judges for The Voice South Africa and that they've been chosen and says M-Net wants to make "TV that people will talk about".


John Oliver forced to shut down his fake church.
After exposing some unscrupulous televangelist practices by starting his Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption "church", the Last Week Tonight with John Oliver host on M-Net (DStv 101) decided to shut down his church - because people mailed him sperm. It comes after he asked viewers to send him their seed (meaning money).


Isha Sesay is doing NewsCenter from Los Angeles
since she and John Vause will soon be doing a new, simulcast show on CNN International (DStv 401) and CNN.

Can Uzalo on SABC1 just bring Gxabhashe back already?
The character that was "killed off" is set to return (and fake, unsourced tabloid stories that there was friction between the actor and the production wasn't true).

Doctor Who needs a lot more kissing
Says Peter Capaldi.

A must-watch sneak peek at the The Unauthorised Beverly Hills, 90210 Story.
The Lifetime channel's unauthorised biographical film about the hit 90s teen drama is absolutely spot on.

Vanity Fair looks at why American late-night television is "better than ever".
But sadly completely excludes women and female comedians. It's "Manity Fair" and such a great unintended example of a "boy's club".


On Digital Media (ODM) and director and consultant Eddie Mbalo's fight continues in licence and shares battle.
Eddie Mbalo says its impossible to place a value on a company that was near liquidation.

The X Factor UK has long ago lost all credibility says Graham Norton.
The ITV star seen in South Africa on BBC First attacks the reality competition show seen on M-Net and says he "hasn't watched in years".

Public pressure group SOS Coalition slams parliament over the SABC.
Vacant positions for the SABC board remains unfilled and vacant.

Four key elements for over-the-top (OTT) television to survive and flourish.
The same elements hold true for South Africa's growing number of video-on-demand (VOD) players like Naspers' ShowMax, Times Media Group's VIDI, MTN's FrontRow and others.

e.tv has started moving to its new high-definition (HD) Cape Town building.

Orange plans to start a video-on-demand (VOD) service in South Africa.
Orange Horizons wants to launch it in 2016 and want to partner with a local player under the name Orange VoD.

Jon Farrar at BBC Worldwide explains new BBC channels
Is responsible for the programming and acquisition strategy for BBC Worldwide's new channels BBC Earth, BBC Brit and BBC First. He explains how the channels are different, what they're looking for and more context to the channels' alignment.

M-Net's ex boss in Africa starts her Grooming for Greatness project.
Former managing director of M-Net Africa Biola Alabi is starting a leadership development initiative.

Comedy Central (DStv 122) is taking a "multi-platform" ad approach to market Trevor Noah.

The real history of The Golden Girls theme song.
Which has traveled down the road and back again and is now 30 years old.

BREAKING. M-Net's Biola Alabi leaves M-Net to study at Yale University; won't be returning to M-Net.

After reports last month that Biola Alabi is leaving M-Net, which Biola Alabi then flat-out denied when she said she is staying put at M-Net as M-Net Africa's managing director for special projects; M-Net is suddenly announcing that Biola Alabi is indeed leaving the pay-TV broadcaster.

Biola Alabi is going to study at Yale University for five months and won't be returning to M-Net.

"After her Yale fellowship, Biola Alabi will pursue new career opportunities," says M-Net in a statement.

"We wish her every success in what will certainly be a glittering career," says M-Net Sub-Saharan CEO Patricia van Rooyen in the statement.

Biola Alabi joined M-Net in 2008. Her job focus changed at the beginning of 2014 when her job title was amended to that of M-Net Africa managing director for special projects.

In this capacity she was tasked to look after projects such as the AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards, reality productions such as Big Brother Africa and the AfricaMagic Original Films project.

During Biola Alabi's tenure at M-Net she oversaw the launch of the AfricaMagic Hausa, AfricaMagic Yoruba and AfricaMagic Swahili TV channels on MultiChoice's DStv and the expansion of the AfricaMagic brand to eight TV channels.

She also presided over four editions of Big Brother Africa, as well as the Face of Africa model reality show in 2010.

DATELINE LAGOS: As Africa's TV, film and pay-TV industry develops and opens up, there's huge opportunities for Africans,' says M-Net.

As Africa's TV, film and pay-TV industry develops at an incredibly rapid pace and opens up with an influx of foreign television and film companies, international distributors and content suppliers who are all opening local regionalised African offices, there's huge opportunities for Africans to enter and grow in this industry, says M-Net.

In Lagos, Nigeria, TV with Thinus asked Biola Alabi, M-Net Africa's managing director for special projects, what she thinks and makes of the growing interest in Africa's television, film and pay-TV market.

Biola Alabi is responsible for the AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards which just saw its second award ceremony this past weekend, and is the hand behind shows such as the continental Big Brother Africa.

There has been and continues to be a rapid deployment of representatives from multinational TV and content distributors, creators and suppliers, who are all suddenly creating and sending executives to various African regions and cities to be permanently based there and to start representing their companies locally, on the ground in the pay-TV, film and TV sectors.

"The world is discovering the film and TV industries across the continent; what is happening is that as Africans grow and economies become more consumer-based, we're going to see more and more people coming in," says Biola Alabi.

"There's more and more international players who want to be in the African space. More and more people are asking how can they be in the African space, so we're going to see that continue to grow".

"People are going to continue to partner with African storytellers. People see the potential of telling an African story using African talent. Those are going to be huge opportunities for Africans," says Biola Alabi. "There's also going to be more location-based opportunities to shoot films across the continent".

"For pay-TV there's always going to be an opportunity for us because we understand the market, we know the market and we have the local infrastructure to capitalise on this market. For us, Africa opening up, means also more opportunities for us, and for the rest of the continent which is always what we've wanted".

"I have a feeling that the quality of the films coming out of Africa in the future will be so good that it will be African films with global distribution".

"I think people are going to start coming to awards such as the AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards hopefully not just to look at just African films but African talent".

"And I believe that Africans all over the continent are going to celebrate this awards and own this awards, rather than it just being AfricaMagic's Awards," says Biola Alabi.

DATELINE LAGOS: Big Brother Africa is not a sex show, says M-Net. Reality show is 'not for everyone', but M-Net has entertainment options for everyone.

Big Brother Africa is not a "sex show"- at the same time M-Net doesn't expect all its viewers or all DStv subscribers to like it or watch it - and says as a broadcaster it provides a large number of different entertainment options for different viewers' tastes.

"I appreciate that Big Brother Africa is not for everyone. I would be naive if I said that everyone has to enjoy and watch Big Brother Africa," says Biola Alabi, M-Net Africa's managing director for special projects.

Besides the AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards and the AfricaMagic Original Films project, Biola Alabi is responsible for and the hand that guides Big Brother Africa.

At a press conference in Lagos, Nigeria on the day of the 2nd AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards, Biola Alabi was asked what she makes of accusations and charges from certain African countries that Big Brother Africa is "nothing more than just a sex show".

Biola Alabi said that Big Brother Africa might not be in ever viewer's taste but that there's a wide range of other programming on offer to viewers.

"What I do think Big Brother Africa does, is that it entertains a huge sector of people that watch it and they enjoy it".

"And every year when we do the call for entry, when you see the entries, it is something that Africans have come to love, and that is part of the type of entertainment that we do".

"We are a broadcaster and our job is to provide entertainment for our subscribers and I think we're doing a very good job in that regard," said Biola Alabi.

DATELINE LAGOS: Pirated television and watching illegally obtained and downloaded TV and films impacts the quality of the content, says M-Net.

Piracy of TV content and films are getting worse in Africa with the growth of the internet and digital advances - and TV viewers across the continent who illegally download and watch, and make use of pirated services and signals are negatively impacting Africa's broadcasters and TV and film industry.

Over the long term this affects the quality of content that African audiences get, because as broadcasters lose revenue and income due to piracy, they have less money to spend.

So says the pan-African pay-TV broadcaster M-Net which supplies various TV channels to MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform across the continent.

M-Net and DStv are dependent on revenue from subscription fees from subscribers for the local content produced and the expensive foreign content it has to buy from international distributors in multi-million dollar distribution and output deals.

TV with Thinus asked Biola Alabi, M-Net Africa's managing director for special projects, about the thorny issue of the piracy of TV and film content in Africa, what M-Net is doing about it, and what message there is from M-Net to the ordinary consumer of TV and film content.

"We try to combat piracy in partnership with regulators, and also with the government. We do see piracy as going to continue," says Biola Alabi. "With digital and with technological advances, it has gotten even worse across the continent and we don't see that going away".

"With the growth in digital delivery and digital television, pirate viewing in Africa is further going to increase. But that is where the collaboration between commercial entities like ours and the government and enforcement to combat this, becomes crucial," says Biola Alabi.

"We are working across the continent and we have seen some huge successes to combat it when it comes to piracy. The message we really need to send across the continent when it comes to people watching TV and films illegally, is around education and educating the consumer".

"I think sometimes that consumers don't understand that when you watch illegal content - when you download or subscribe to a pirated service- you're actually doing a disservice to everyone - to yourself, to the people that create content and to the people who are going to be telling these stories. It also impacts on the quality of the content you get," said Biola Alabi.

"What we try to do is to educate audiences at home to subscribe to a legal service and not to watch content obtained illegally. And you know when you subscribe to an illegal service or watching illegally obtained content. So please don't subscribe to illegal services".

DATELINE LAGOS: M-Net's message to, and about, gay people working in the film and television industry in Africa: 'No comment'.

What does M-Net in Africa have to say about, and to, and possibly in support of, the many gay people working in film and television across the continent?

Nothing.

Several African countries from Uganda to Nigeria have seen a sharp rise in anti-gay sentiment and anti-gay laws directly affecting the lives of gay people working in TV and film.

Africa's growing rise of anti-gay sentiment is in stark contrast to African countries such as South Africa which is considered "gay friendly" and where discrimination based on sexual orientation is not allowed.

Growing fears of prosecution are however permeating the film and television industries of several African nations where gay people work in front of, and behind the scenes.

Many keep their sexual orientation a secret although their work - on-screen and off-camera - is watched, enjoyed and beloved by millions.

These silent, yet highly creative people, don't want to risk speaking out, fearing government prosecution, industry banishment, negative viewer backlash or personal harm.

Gay people - just like in South Africa - work as professionals and can be found throughout all the echelons of all of Africa's local film and television industries, ranging from make-up artists and performers, actors, camera operators, directors, editors, set builders, scriptwriters, producers, publicist and executives.

In Lagos, Nigeria, TV with Thinus asked Biola Alabi, M-Net Africa's managing director for special projects, during a press conference on Saturday, whether from M-Net's side, there is any message about, or to, the many gay people working in Africa's film and TV industry - given the rise in anti-gay sentiment in countries across Africa where film and television make a significant and growing annual contribution to economies.

In answer to the question Biola Alabi said "no comment".

M-Net as a pan-African broadcaster and as a pay-TV broadcaster - packaging TV channels for MultiChoice's DStv and GOtv and producing a myriad of shows from soaps such as Tinsel to reality shows like Big Brother Africa - not only holds sway over a growing TV business worth billions, but also employs and uses the creative work and talents of many gay people.

Through this M-Net carries influence - not just because the powerhouse TV company is a multinational media company making a lot of money and directs spending and production - but also for what it can show or say or is showing on its airwaves - or decides not to.

It's interesting and noteworthy that M-Net is not yet ready or in a position to have a public position regarding this escalating matter and which directly affects many people across Africa's film and TV biz.

DATELINE LAGOS: M-Net and AfricaMagic: 'We do everything with our viewers in mind, knowing the expectation they have of us, says Biola Alabi.

With 8 dedicated and differentiated AfricaMagic TV channels from M-Net already running on MultiChoice's DStv's satellite pay-TV platform running across Africa and more AfricaMagic channels expected to be launched in the future, M-Net and AfricaMagic's management and TV executives are not losing sight of the viewer.

"We do everything with our viewers in mind. Delivering a superior TV experience to every single viewer at home is our goal," says Biola Alabi, M-Net Africa's managing director for special projects. 

Biola Alabi spoke to the press in Lagos, Nigeria on the day of the 2nd AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards for which she is primarily responsible, as well as for ongoing shows such as Big Brother Africa. 

When we ask you to pay your TV subscription every month we do that knowing the expectation that you have of us - which is that we have to deliver a superior TV viewing experience. We do everything we can to make sure that happens," Biola Alabi told TV with Thinus.

"Our reality shows in Africa are a bit different from the Western type of reality shows. I think Africans are always going to be different in the way we see and do reality and our reality shows are different. So, they're not Kim Kardashian. But we have our own cache".

And the secret of AfricaMagic's success? Biola Alabi says its the people and the strength of the relationships M-Net, AfricaMagic and MultiChoice have inside the pay-TV operator, as well as with content makers.

"What we try to do is find the most amazing people to work with us. We have amazing partners, amazing vendors and amazing leadership within the organisation who actually leads this entire team, who believes in what we're doing and really are the biggest fans of AfricaMagic," she says.

"When you have that - people in leadership positions who are also fans - then its not a hard sell. We've had the amazing fortune to work with really the best and most amazing people across the continent in television and in film," says Biola Alabi.

DATELINE LAGOS: M-Net in Africa would like to see more quality African films; people understanding TV & film rights, says Biola Alabi.

There's still a knowledge gap when it comes to African filmmakers and African television producers who don't fully and correctly understand how film and television rights and the distribution chain works.

That makes it difficult for them - as well as distributors and broadcasters - to unlock and maximise the true and fullest value of their produced content across the various platforms and distribution windows that exist.

M-Net in Africa says the pan-African pay-TV broadcaster is helping to educate African filmmakers and African TV producers across the content about how the distribution system works, and would also like to see more quality films being produced and distributed to various different audiences across the continent and further.

TV with Thinus asked Biola Alabi, the M-Net Africa's managing director for special projects what the pay-TV broadcaster would like filmmakers and TV producers on the continent to know and what M-Net would like to see more of.

M-Net supplies a growing number of AfricaMagic TV channels to MultiChoice's DStv platform all across Africa and holds the AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards, the 2nd awards ceremony which took place this past weekend to recognise and reward filmmakers and TV producers across the continent.

"One of the things we would like to see come out of Africa is more quality films," Biola Alabi told TV with Thinus. "We will continue to look for great stories. Also, I think its important for filmmakers to continue to tell the African story. Make sure its modern, make sure its connecting with multiple audiences".

"Another thing we'd like to see is people really understanding television rights. So we want people to really work with us to understand how the distribution model work and understanding the rights, and really protecting their work - but at the same time also protecting everyone's legal rights across the distribution chain".

"That is where we still continually see big challenges. Its really people understanding the different rights that different people have across the distribution chain and not selling the same rights to multiple people at the same time. Those are challenges we continue to see".

"We've done different workshops - writers' workshops, lighting workshop and an audio workshop this year. These are areas where we continually see challenges in. These are areas we still need to work on as African filmmakers and African television producers".

"We educate filmmakers and TV producers on the different windows on which they can exploit their content. There is no real deliberate effort to shut anyone out. Everyone has a window where their content can be exploited. There is a pay-TV window where we get out distribution rights and we distribute the content. And there is a free-to-air window in which producers go and can exploit it on that platform".

"We work with tons of independent producers. What we've done is - and has gone out of our way to do - is to develop really great relationships with producers and make sure that there is a reciprocal relationship in which it is a win-win for everyone, which is why the content is on our platform".

"Good television programming appeals to everyone. So our job is to get the best programmes out there," says Biola Alabi.

"That is our number one goal. The second goal is for us, with GOtv launching across the African continent as MultiChoice's digital terrestrial television (DTT) offering, we're going to continue to make more niche content, as well as more general entertainment content for everyone and the widest possible audiences".

"We're very excited about the GOtv opportunity. With GOtv people are going to get much more indigenous language content. Remember, no matter who I am, I still want great content".

"You might say our content is made for rich people but that's not true. Whoever you are, and whatever you're watching, you want it to be the best content for you, and it is our job to do that," says Biola Alabi.

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.

DATELINE LAGOS: 'We're already seeing higher quality movies from Africa,' says Biola Alabi about the AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards.

The level and quality of African films and television being produced is already rising, thanks in part to recently established awards shows on, and for, the continent such as the AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards.

So says Biola Alabi who spoke to Africa's press today with the 2nd AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards which took place on Saturday evening in Lagos, Nigeria.

The AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards which was established to recognise excellence in the film and TV industry across the entire Africa, was again broadcast live on multiple AfricaMagic TV channels on MultiChoice's DStv platform across the African continent.

"I love being in television, I've always loved being in television, it's always been something I wanted to do. When I found my way into television it's always been something that I've been passionate about," said Biola Alabi.

"With the AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards our vision is to raise the profile of excellence across the continent when it comes to television and film and to really celebrate excellence and to encourage people to aspire to create a certain type of story".

"We also wanted to create a platform where AfricaMagic can celebrate the type of stories that we are telling on our platform. We have over 8 channels now telling stories across the continent. We wanted to create a platform where these stories can be rewarded and celebrated".

"The'yre not going to be recognised at the Oscar, they're not going to be recognised at the Golden Globes. So we wanted to create a platform with the AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards where they would be celebrated from across the continent. Its about storytelling across Africa," said Biola Alabi.

"Its our second year; we're still very young. When people say we're the Oscars of Africa that really scares me. The Oscars is 86 years old. Those are institutions that are almost a hundred years old. The Golden Globes the International Foreign Press Association started back almost a hundred years ago".

"So I get very nervous when people say that. But I think what people are saying when they say that is that it is a place where Africans can come together and celebrate the best of television and film".

"We're seeing higher quality movies, people are bringing us amazing film, amazing products, amazing projects, and we're looking at innovative ideas and we're looking at different partnership models and that's very exciting for us," said Biola Alabi.

DATELINE LAGOS: Lupita Nyong'o winning an Oscar is an amazing statement to every little girl that your dream can always come true, says Biola Alabi.

The Kenyan and African actress Lupita Nyong'o who just won the Oscar for the Best Supporting Actress at the 86th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, serves as an inspiration to every girl in Africa that your dream can come true. 

So says Biola Alabi, the managing director for M-Net in Africa for special projects.

Biola Alabi spoke to Africa's press today with the 2nd AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards set to take place on Saturday evening in Lagos, Nigeria, where Africa hand out awards to actresses, actors and those working behind-the-scenes in the continent's TV and film industry.

The AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards has been established to recognise excellence in the film and TV industry across the entire Africa and the award ceremony will again be broadcast live on multiple AfricaMagic TV channels on MultiChoice's DStv platform across the African continent.

"Lupita Nyong'o winning an Oscar is an amazing statement out to the whole world about Africa. But its an amazing statement to everyone who has a dream and to every little girl that your dream can always come true," says Biola Alabi.

"For everyone who has a dream - your dream means something. For me this brings such joy and pride to us. And it bring such joy and pride that Lupita Nyong'o's first work was actually on the African continent. It wasn't abroad, it was Africa. It was in Kenya where she did her first work".

"So I'm hoping that she comes back and does more. For me this is a really amazing signal to everyone who has a dream, and to every single child on the African continent that your dream can come true"

Also, we're reaffirming to every parent on this continent that there is a real future in the industry and also in creating and telling stories, and I think that is really the biggest statements that we see in Lupita Nyong'o accepting her award," says Biola Alabi.

DATELINE LAGOS: Biola Alabi says she did not resign as M-Net's managing director for Africa; 'I'm going to oversee all of our special projects'.

Biola Alabi, M-Net's managing director for Africa, on Saturday boldly said that she definitely did not resign at M-Net, and is fully staying on and working for the pan-African pay-TV broadcaster.

TV with Thinus on Saturday asked Biola Alabi about reports that surfaced - and which was reported by broadsheets like Nigeria's This Day newspaper on Friday - if she could clarify her position and comment on her tenure at M-Net.

Biola Alabi just underwent a job and title change at M-Net at the beginning of the year from managing director at M-Net for Africa to managing director for special projects in Africa at the pay-TV broadcaster.

Biola Alabi is responsible for the AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCAs). The 2nd AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards 2014 is set to take place on Saturday evening in Lagos, Nigeria.

"The rumours are rumours. I am here, having an interview with you. And as you know, corporations don't usually have people that have resigned doing interviews. So I'm still very much in my role. Especially in media you don't have people doing interviews if they leave".

"So I'm very much in my role. I think what happened is that we're obviously rolling out a very different strategy across the African continent, and what I've decided to do is to take a more strategic role around some of our key projects and pan-African projects because that is a place where I think that we still have a lot of work to do," Biola Alabi told me.

"I'm going to be overseeing all of our special projects across the continent like the AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards, obviously Big Brother Africa which is still a huge project for us. We have some other big initiatives which we will be launching across the continent. Those are the things that will be in my portfolio."

DATELINE LAGOS: Biola Alabi, M-Net's managing director in Africa quits; news comes a day before the AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards.

Biola Alabi, M-Net's managing director for Africa has quit according to Nigeria's This Day newspaper - with her resignation news coming on the day before the 2nd AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards 2014 (AMVCA) is to take place in Lagos, Nigeria on Saturday night which she is primarily responsible for.


UPDATE Saturday 8 March 2014 - Biola Alabi tells TV with Thinus she definitely didn't resign and is still very much with M-Net and taking on a new role looking after special projects.


Biola Alabi just underwent a job and title change at M-Net at the beginning of the year from managing director at M-Net for Africa to managing director for special projects in Africa at the pay-TV broadcaster. The reason for the  job change in job title and responsibilities was only given as "personal choices".

In her new role from 2014 Biola Alabi, who joined M-Net in 2008, was to focus on just special projects such as the AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards, reality productions such as Big Brother Africa and the AfricaMagic Original Films project.

In 2010 Biola Alabi helped to launch the AfricaMagic Hausa channel on MultiChoice's DStv platform in Africa, and the AfricaMagic Swahili channel in 2011.

A year later in 2012 Biola Alabi helped with the restructuring of the AfricaMagic TV channels on DStv.

Neither M-Net nor Biola Alabi have so far made a statement or said why Biola Alabi is quitting the pan-African broadcaster. Biola Alabi graced the cover of Hello! magazine in Nigeria in February, talking about "life, love and being the boss".

The news of Biola Alabi who is now quitting M-Net, awkwardly comes on the day before the 2nd AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards 2014 will take place in Lagos - one of the special projects she was responsible for.

It also comes one day after M-Net announced that Yolisa Phahle has been appointed as the new M-Net CEO for South Africa, completing a trifecta appointment of African M-Net executives to oversee the now distinctly separated three regions of the pay-TV broadcasters in South Africa, East Africa and West Africa.

Biola Alabi at M-Net Africa undergoes job change; now M-Net Africa's managing director just focusing on special projects.

There was no public announcement but Biola Alabi, previously the managing director of M-Net Africa for five years, has now had a job title and responsibilities change and is now the managing director for special projects in Africa at the pay-TV broadcaster.

Biola Alabi's title and job description change came into effect from the beginning of last month due to personal choices.

According to M-Net, Biola Alabi who joined M-Net in 2008, will now focus exclusively on productions such as Big Brother Africa which has already seen four seasons and the AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards. 

In her new job title Biola Alabi is also working on the AfricaMagic Original Films project to help develop African film and television.

Biola Alabi's new portfolio comes amidst the appointments of Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu as M-Net's first ever regional director for West Africa and Michael Ndetei as M-Net's first ever regional director for East Africa who will both take up these positions from 1 March.

BREAKING. Biola Alabi admits: 'A few glitches here and there' with the poorly produced first AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards 2013.

Biola Alabi, M-Net Africa's managing director, admitted to the audience at the first AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards 2013 (AMVCA) held in Lagos, Nigeria on Saturday night, that the inaugural awards show suffered from "a few glitches here and there".

That was somewhat of an understatement: The AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards 2013 done by M-Net in conjunction with MultiChoice suffered from bad sound, no sound and sound level problems, bad lighting, and multiple sound and lighting production mistakes.

It was marred by bad camera work and sloppy live directing and camera choices, amateur presenters of which several also didn't pitch for the rehearsal and which painfully showed in inept on-stage banter, presenters and winners who appeared on stage inappropriately dressed and the host asking his co-host if she dreamt she was beaten by Chris Brown as part of a joke in the opening moments.

The poorly produced AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards 2013 which was broadcast live and lasted a massive four and a half hours, had too many and too long musical acts and even a Congo comedian doing stand-up wiping sweat from his forehead "because it's hot in Nigeria".

Several presenters remarked on stage that their co-presenters didn't show up for the rehearsals, even Biola Alabi told off her own co-presenter (who also appeared on stage and on television inappropriately with dark glasses on) and said to him: "You didn't come to rehearsal so you can't do a comedy moment".

"Overall it has been out first AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards," said Biola Alabi.

"It has been a dream come true for the M-Net AfricaMagic team - something we have been wanting to do: creating a platform that would be fitting of Africa stars, that would celebrate African television and film, that would join our colleagues in celebrating and collaborating and giving AfricaMagic the showcase and platform that celebrates our stars."


ALSO READ: On-air blackout hits live red carpet coverage of the AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards 2013 on the AfricaMagic Movies 1 channel.
ALSO READ: Teachable moments: The bad and embarrassing AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards 2013 shows what not to do on television.
ALSO READ: IK Osakioduwa asks his co-host at the AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards 2013 in a joke if she dreamt she was beaten by Chris Brown.

Two trophies dropped from the upcoming AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards since entries were not good enough.

Two trophies are getting dropped from the overall awards count of 28 and will not be handed out at the upcoming AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards in March - the judges feel nobody was good enough to deserve the bronze and mahogany trophy in the categories for best documentary and best online video.

That means that the count of 28 trophies is down to 26.

According to a statement from M-Net which is holding the first AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards on on 8 and 9 March in Lagos, Nigeria in conjunction with MultiChoice, organisers decided to "not name nominees in two categories, Best Documentary and Best Online Video".

The judges don't feel that any of the entries in these categories were up to scratch and want to ensure that the AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards only recognise "outstanding achievement". Therefore the entrants in these two categories will only get "award certificates of encouragement" instead.

In total the first AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards lured 110 nominees from 43 different African countries ranging from South Africa, Zmabia and Uganda to Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria.

"We are truly delighted with the list of nominees and we wish them all well," says Biola Alabi, the managing director of M-Net Africa in a statement.

"Well done to all the selected nominees," says Nico Meyer, MultiChoice Africa CEO in the statement. "The contribution you have made to the development of the African film and television industry is very significant."

FIRST LOOK. The trophy of bronze and mahogany wood for the AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards.

Here's a first look at the trophy which will be awarded to winners of the AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA's) which will be taking place for the first time this year and in Lagos, Nigeria with 28 awards which will be handed out during a two-night event with gala ceremonies on 8 and 9 March.

The nominees for the AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards will be announced tonight at 21:30 in a special edition of the entertainment news magazine show 53 Extra across various AfricaMagic TV channels on DStv across the African continent.

The trophy made of bronze and wood has a cut-out silhouette of an African woman formed by three bronze blades, mounted on a glossy mahogany base.

"As an original creation, it is hoped that the AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards trophy will speak to both industry professionals and television audiences," says Biola Alabi, the managing director of M-Net Africa.

"Internationally there are certain iconic entertainment trophies that carry the same weight with winners and audiences, loved both for its physical form and its emotional meaning."

"We hope that our trophy will do the same – be a statuette that motivates filmmakers and TV professionals while also inspiring those still to join their ranks and captivating those who watch at home."

Programming note: Nominees for the first AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards to be announced on 53 Extra on 28 January at 21:30.

The names of the nominees of the first AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards will be announced on Monday 28 January at 21:30  in a special edition of the show 53 Extra.

The special edition of 53 Extra which will be broadcast on 4 TV channel simultaneously: AfricaMagic Entertainment, AfricaMagic, AfricaMagic Movies, AfricaMagic Movies 1 and AfricaMagic World/Magic World in order to give subscribers on different DStv bouquets from MultiChoice the ability to see the nominee announcement.

Eku Edewor and Dolapo Oni of 53 Extra will read out the nominees list along with Jara presenters Uti Nwachukwu and Helen Paul. The nominees were chosen in Johannesburg earlier this month, led by head judge Femi Odugbemi.

M-Net, AfricaMagic and MultiChoice will be holding the first AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA's) as a two night ceremony on 8 and 9 March in Lagos, Nigeria.

In similar fashion to the South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) in South Africa which is also taking place in March, the AMVCA's will hand out technical awards on the first evening of 8 March, followed by on-air talent categories the second evening on 9 March.

There will be 26 categories and 28 awards in total. The award ceremony's two special prizes will be the Industry Merit Award and the TrailBlazer of the Year Award.

The AfricaMagic Viewers' Choice Awards received 350 entries.

"Whether you're named a nominee or not, we're very grateful for your participation," says Biola Alabi, M-net managing director for Africa. "In doing so you've made an impressive statement that the African film and TV industry is making significant strides forward."

"The investment made by MultiChoice is a show of commitment to the development of skills and talent in the continent," says Nico Meyer, MultiChoice Africa CEO.

M-Net management shake-up: Theo Erasmus shifts to help AfricaMagic; Pierre Cloete moves to oversight of M-Net, M-Net Series from 2013.

You're reading it here first. 

I can exclusively break the news that major top executive changes are coming to M-Net as the Randburg-based pay-TV operator will make Theo Erasmus the new channel director in South Africa for the AfricaMagic channels and Pierre Cloete will take over overseeing both the M-Net (DStv 101) and M-Net Series (DStv 114) channels in addition to his current work load from January 2013.

The top executive changes, not yet publicly announced, are part of a internal management restructuring under M-Net CEO Patricia van Rooyen.

The executive changes at M-Net, according to insiders, include Biola Alabi in Nigeria who is currently M-Net Africa's managing director who will remain the managing director of M-Net Africa but getting assistance from Theo Erasmus.

Theo Erasmus, currently M-Net's director for general entertainment, is becoming the channel director based in South Africa for the rebranded AfricaMagic channels since the packaging and the operations of that division happens from this country. He will be overseeing the day-to-day operations for the AfricaMagic channels for a 2 year period.

During this time Theo Erasmus and Biola Alabi will have to work together to find and groom a new chief operating officer (COO) for this expanding operational division. Theo Erasmus will move to this position and new title from 1 January 2013 and will be reporting directly to Patricia van Rooyen.

Meanwhile Pierre Cloete, currently the director of the M-Net Movies channels since this year after he was the M-Net channel head, is being moved into a bigger management role, expanding to oversight over the M-Net and M-Net Series channels, also from 1 January. He will also be reporting directly to Patricia van Rooyen I'm told about the M-Net Movies channels, as well as these two M-Net channels - now placing all M-Net branded TV channels under his control.

According to sources the changes are part of M-Net's focus on increasing local content across Africa whilst containing costs and relooking at all sistems regarding the licensing and acquisition processes and channel packaging as part of M-Net's plan to launch more channels across the continent.

M-Net cancels Jacob's Cross after six seasons; 'it's sad to say goodbye but the time has come to finish the story of the Abayomi's and the Makhubu's'.

M-Net is done with Jacob's Cross, cancelling the locally produced drama starring Hlomla Dandala which started in January 2007 on M-Net Series and M-Net and has since been sold to SABC2 as well and was seen on the Mzansi Magic channel in South Africa.

Jacob's Cross about the African oil tycoon Jacob Makhuba Abayoni and created by The Bomb Shelter production company, has since been repurposed as a drama for M-Net's AfricaMagic channels, will bow out with the sixth season which starts next week.

"It's always sad to say goodbye to a sensational series like this, characters this vivid and memorable, but the time has come to finish the story of Abayomi's and the Makhubu's, their friends and partners," says Biola Alabi, the managing director of M-Net Africa.

"We're comfortable it is the right time for this polished and well-told story to conclude, and while we will miss them, it is time for new stories and new characters. But you can bet that Jacob's Cross will have some twists and turns before the final credits are played, so keep watching."

The final season of Jacob's Cross will feature the Nigerian musician Banky W as a guest star.