Questions loom over South Africa's Ukhozi FM flown to Nigeria by Amazon Prime Video in paid trip to suddenly promote rival video streamer's Gangs of Lagos to radio listeners.

by Thinus Ferreira

Several big questions have been raised over the bizarre relationship between South Africa's public broadcaster through its Ukhozi FM radio station, and the Amazon Prime Video streamer, after Ukhozi FM staff accepted and travelled to Nigeria in an all-expenses paid trip so that Ukhosi FM can promote a rival content service's Gangs of Lagos production to SABC radio listeners.

Over the past Easter long weekend, Amazon Prime Video in South Africa took Ukhozi FM - the SABC's Zulu radio station based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal - to Lagos, Nigeria, for a multiday junket for Amazon Studio's Gangs of Lagos that had a red carpet premiere there.

Ukhozi FM as a Zulu radio station doesn't do dedicated TV and film coverage, doesn't have dedicated film reviewers as a specialist reporting beat on staff, didn't attend the South African public broadcaster's media launch in 2022 in Johannesburg of the organisation's own SABC+ video streaming service, and doesn't have any history of incisive, ongoing coverage of either Amazon Studios, Amazon Prime Video or Amazon Prime Video series or films.

Gangs of Lagos from filmmaker Jáde Osiberu, is Amazon Prime Video's first African Original film production, starring Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi and Iyabo Ojo.

Besides Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, head of Nigerian Originals at Amazon Prime Video in London who attended the junket on Lagos' Victoria Island, Ned Mitchell also flew in from Los Angeles who is Amazon Prime Video's head of originals for Africa and the Middle East.

Amazon Prime Video also had some social media influencers, including from South Africa, at the multiday launch.

The decision of Amazon Prime Video in South Africa to pay for Ukhozi FM to travel to Lagos to promote content of Amazon to listeners of a South African public broadcaster's radio station, raised eyebrows, and has led to multiple questions around why the SABC - which has its own SABC+ video streamer - is now suddenly fine with plugging and promoting a commercial rival's video streaming service.

Also unclear is whether the SABC and Ukhozi FM is henceforth going to be promoting other Amazon Prime Video content to SABC radio listeners, and what this relationship now is, and why it came about.

TVwithThinus asked the SABC why one of its radio stations in South Africa is suddenly covering a made-for-TV film from the TV and film industry in another country, and giving coverage and promotion to another streaming service which happens to be in competition with the SABC.

Mmoni Seapolelo, SABC spokesperson, in response to the media query, says that "Ukhozi FM has been invited by industry stakeholders to network and explore opportunities for the biggest radio brand in Africa. The station will also cover the movie as one of Africa's biggest productions".

The SABC didn't specify what these various opportunities are that were explored. It should be noted however that Gangs of Lagos is far from "one of Africa's biggest productions" as a stand-alone feature film.

The SABC admits that "It must be noted that Ukhozi FM did not incur any cost for this trip as it is paid for by the host". 

The SABC was also asked if Ukhozi FM is now going to do ongoing coverage of Amazon Prime Video's services and content for South African radio listeners, what the SABC makes of the coverage as part of promotion from a paid trip that the public broadcaster is doing for a private video streaming service, why the SABC and Ukhozi FM decided to work with Amazon Studios and Amazon Prime Video now, and if the SABC will also be promoting Amazon's other TV projects from now on.

The public broadcaster didn't provide specific answers to these questions.

Amazon Prime Video does first Nigerian original commissions for Gangs of Lagos and LOL: Last One Laughing Naija, enables payment in local naira currency.

by Thinus Ferreira

Amazon Prime Video on Friday announced that the global streaming service has commissioned its first Nigerian original film, Gangs of Lagos as well as a local series version of LOL: Last One Laughing Naija, whilst enabling Nigerians to now pay in the local Naija currency for the service.

Gangs of Lagos as a film will be released on Amazon Prime Video later this year and LOL: Last One Laughing Naija as a series will be released on Amazon Prime Video in 2023.

Amazon Prime Video Nigeria describes Gangs of Lagos as a "high-stakes, gritty, and hard-hitting action crime-thriller, with an authentic storyline centred on a group of friends who each have to navigate destiny, growing up on the bustling streets and neighbourhood of Isale Eko, Lagos".

Amazon says Gangs of Lagos will "feature elaborate set pieces, action scenes, and engaging dialogue, balanced out by its high-octane pace and an emotionally grounded story at its core".

Gangs of Lagos stars Tobi Bakre, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, and Chiké, is directed and produced by Jade Osiberu, produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju and co-produced by Akin Omotoso also producing original content for Netflix Africa.

LOL: Last One Laughing Naija is an unscripted series, where a group of comedians compete to be the "last one laughing".

The show has Basketmouth as presenter, who will pit 10 famous Nigerian comedians against one another to see who will ultimately win by trying to make their opponents laugh and lose.

LOL: Last One Laughing Naija is filmed and produced in Nigeria, and produced by Livespot360. It follows the success of the Amazon Prime Video global format already launched in Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, India, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, and will launch in 2023.

The unscripted series will showcase authentic Nigerian comedy from top Nigerian comedic talent, and will launch next year on Amazon Prime Video worldwide.

Both local productions build on recent film deals made by Amazon Prime Video, including an exclusive commissioning slate deal with Nemsia Films for three feature films, beginning with Breath of Life, launching next year. 

Other exclusive licencing agreements include deals with Nigerian production studios Inkblot Studios as well as Anthill Studios, bringing Amazon Prime Video customers exclusive access to their movies after theatrical release, such as King of Thieves, Superstar, Progressive Tailors Club, Bad Comments, and Badamasi, which are currently available to watch.

"We're delighted to be increasing our investment in Amazon Prime Video for customers in Nigeria, making it a truly localised experience," says Josh McIvor, director of international expansion at Amazon Prime Video, in a statement released on Friday.

"From local payment and a full-scale local marketing campaign, to more local content specifically for Nigerian customers, our investment in Nigeria is a significant step towards our broader expansion plans in Africa and our ambition to be the most local of global streaming services."

Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, head of Nigerian Originals at Amazon Prime Video and who joinedAmazon recently after jumping unannounced from MultiChoice Africa as yet another high-profile top executive exit from the pan-African satellite pay-TV service, says in the statement that "We know our customers want to see locally relevant faces, places, and stories alongside our global content on Prime Video, so we're excited to be bringing Nigerian customers these brand-new Local Amazon Originals, Gangs of Lagos and LOL: Last One Laughing Naija, which will complement our growing selection of Nollywood and African series and movies".

"The news signals our continued commitment to the Nigerian TV and film industry, bringing the very best of authentic, homegrown stories to not only our customers in Nigeria, but also Amazon Prime Video members around the world."

ALSO READ: Gideon Khobane exits MultiChoice for Amazon as next high-profile exec to leave the pay-TV operator.

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