EbonyLife's Mo Abudu slams Amazon for axing African originals: 'shows a lack of respect for our continent'.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Nigerian producer and CEO of EbonyLife Group, Mo Abudu, is slamming Amazon Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios saying it shows "a lack of respect for our continent" after Amazon's shock decision to cull its Nigerian and South African content teams  and to abruptly cancel further African original content creation.

Amazon Prime Video has retrenched multiple content executives and staff it lured to join its video streaming service in Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa as for Nigeria, based in London, after it rapidly ramped up plans over the past two years to create, produce and roll-out localised African Prime Video Originals.

Gone is Gideon Khobane who officially joined Amazon Prime Video Africa 7 months ago in July 2023 as director of Prime Video Africa. The fate of other executives who all jumped from MultiChoice to join Amazon Prime Video in Africa is still unclear.

Amazon is not willing to confirm whether Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu (head of Nigerian originals), Kaye Ann Williams (head of scripted series and movies for South African originals), and Candice Fangueiro (head of planning and programming for Africa) have also been let go, although insiders said that is the case.

Stephen Barber, head of PR for Amazon in the UK, in response to a media query, said Amazon can't provide "names of team members who have left the company".

Meanwhile shocked and angry producers in Nigeria and South Africa who have been developing and producing content are furious with Amazon Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, saying "promises were made and not kept".

A longtime South African producer said Amazon "damaged producers' trust and trust in the streamer".

"Nobody will trust them when they come and present plans again in future about wanting local content. People sat through presentations in South Africa and Nigeria where Amazon laid out their plans and promised to be different; to do things better and differently. Turns out – not."  

While Amazon Prime Video is drastically reigning in content spend in Africa and on African original content, insiders said that Netflix as part of a global realignment has also quietly started to reign in its content budget for Africa. In contrast, MultiChoice has however massively ramped up content spending for its new Showmax done in partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal's Peacock, which is rolling out from today in app stores as a new video streaming service.

For the relaunch of the new Showmax, MultiChoice has 21 Showmax Originals that will debut over the course of February to lure potential subscribers to the revamped streamer.

Meanwhile, Mo Abudu who has produced African content for Sony and Netflix over the past few years is slamming Amazon Prime Video for deserting Africa and reneging on promises to ramp up spending on African originals.

"In recent times, we have witnessed the unfortunate departure of several international organisations from Nigeria and Africa, some marked by press statements that have, regrettably, shown a lack of respect for our continent," Mo Abudu says.

"In the face of these challenges, it is imperative that we, as Nigerians and Africans, rise above and build our own infrastructure, creating and serving our markets with pride and resilience. I firmly believe in the potential within us, and in the face of challenges, see opportunities for growth and self-reliance."

She's also praising video streamers and global players who have decided to stay in Africa and continue to invest in Africa's film and TV industry.

"To the international organisations that recognise our worth, we extend our heartfelt appreciation. Your decision to stay, partner, and collaborate with us is a testament to the shared commitment to not only growing the continent today but also for the generations that will follow."

"Let us embrace the challenges, celebrate the opportunities, and collectively contribute to the thriving and resilient future of our beloved continent. With hope and determination, we move!"

ALSO READ: Amazon slashing content funding for Prime Video Africa, retrenching staff including Prime Video Africa director Gideon Khobane with no new South African series or films to be commissioned.

ALSO READ: 'Promises were made and not kept' and 'a very sad day for the industry': South African producers devastated and dismayed in Amazon Prime Video Africa over canning original content creation.

ALSO READ: Amazon cutting hundreds of staff at Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios.

Amazon Studios commissions Nigerian travelogue reality series Ebuka Turns Up Africa with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu produced by Rapid Blue.

by Thinus Ferreira

Amazon Studios has commissioned another original African series, Ebuka Turns Up Africa, from Nigeria, as a travelogue reality show which will debut on the video streaming service in 2024.

In Ebuka Turns Up Africa, an Amazon Prime Video Original, the Nigerian Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, together with Timini Egbuson, Zubby Michael, Jimmie Akinsola, Onoja Adole, and Alistair Englebert Preston travel through Africa "uncovering hidden treasures and testing loyalties and friendships".

Ebuka Turns Up Africa is part of Amazon Studios growing slate of content put in production and acquired from the African continent and is produced by South Africa's Rapid Blue Productions Nigeria, an offshoot of Rapid Blue in South Africa, with Ziyanda Ngcaba and Erika Klopper as the co-executive producers.

The new Nigerian series follows after the disappointing and little-publicised Gangs of Lagos which finally made its debut earlier this year with very little fanfare or media traction as the first Amazon Original film from Africa.

Amazon Studios is also doing a format version of LOL: Last One Laughing Naija, along with a South African version of LOL with Trevor Noah as host.

In a press release, Amazon Studios says "Ebuka Turns Up Africa is a captivating showcase of camaraderie and adventure, as Ebuka undertakes the journey of a lifetime with his guys", describing the upcoming show as "a compelling series that not only transcends borders but reveals the men behind their celebrity personas".

"As our all-star cast ignites their spirit of exploration, personalities clash and tempers flare in a journey across the continent that isn't always smooth sailing."

"The adventure will take the team of intrepid travellers through a variety of experiences, from exploring Africa's most desirable destinations to delving into daring, high-adrenaline activities. Friendships will be tested, as the guys discover the magic of unity."

The press release about Ebuka Turns Up Africa was shared with Africa's media after it was specifically asked for, and only after the show's existence was announced at a panel at 2023's MIPCOM in Cannes yesterday by Ned Mitchell, the head of originals for Amazon Prime Video for the Africa and Middle East region.

Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, head of Nigerian originals at Amazon Studios, was part of the MIPCOM panel with Ned Mitchell where the Ebuka Turns Up Africa announcement was made.

"This is Ebuka and Africa like you've never seen before!"exclaims Ned Mitchell in the press release.

"It's an invitation for audiences to immerse themselves in the heart and soul of Africa. Ebuka Turns Up Africa is a unique celebration of Africa, brought to life by Ebuka and his top squad."

In a prepared quote, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu states "This journey was not only an exciting exploration of Africa, it was an opportunity for audiences to see a different side of me and the guys. Whilst we had a huge amount of fun and plenty of laughs, there were also some pretty intense conflicts - it was one wild adventure!"

MultiChoice Africa and M-Net also lost its top West Africa content boss Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu who jumped to Amazon Prime Video as head of Nigerian Originals.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice and M-Net have also lost Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, one of its top content bosses in West Africa to Amazon Prime Video, as part of the ongoing exodus of top executive talent at the pan-African pay-TV operator.

Not widely reported, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu who was the regional director of M-Net West Africa, jumped ship to Amazon Prime Video a few months ago as head of content acquisition for Amazon Prime Video in Africa, after which she was appointed in the role of head of Nigerian Originals, a position that Amazon advertised 

Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu joined MultiChoice and M-Net in 2012 as M-Net West Africa regional manager.

Neither MultiChoice nor M-Net said anything when Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu left to Amazon and didn't announce her exit, with her jump to greener pastures which is similar to the flurry of other MultiChoice and M-Net executives and staffers who have continued to leave in a steady stream for jobs at video streaming companies like Netflix Africa, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video over the past few years and which are beefing up their staff and content roll-out plans for Africa.

MultiChoice of course upped Busola Tejumola as head of content and West Africa to replace Wangi Mba-Uzoukwa but never explained her "disappearance".

Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu got the job as head of Nigerian originals that Amazon advertised in April 2022. At the time, Amazon Studios said that it was looking for execs and someone in the position as head of Nigerian originals who has "a deep knowledge of the Nigerian production landscape, including talent". 

Another MultiChoice top exec, Gideon Khobane just left MultiChoice in South Africa as well after several years, and is also joining Amazon.

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

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.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice Africa and M-Net also lost its top West Africa content boss Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu who jumped to Amazon Prime Video as head of Nigerian Originals.

It's a golden eye 5th season for Big Brother Naija with 'pre-sealed' contestants due to Covid-19; show kicks off 19 July as producers drop celebrity visits and crowds for launch and eviction shows.

by Thinus Ferreira

Because of Covid-19 the contestants - as well as a batch of "understudies" - for the upcoming 5th season of Big Brother Nigeria are already cloistered in pre-isolation in an unknown facility before they will enter the real isolated camera-house on 19 July, with producers who have axed both celebrity visits and the live audience for evictions in the new season.

With the growing global Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic also affecting Africa, the production company, as well as M-Net West Africa and MultiChoice Nigeria have had to make changes to the new 5th season of Big Brother Naija.

Season 5 of Big Brother Naija will once again be broadcast from Lagos, Nigeria across Africa on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform but the impact of the virus already changed the new season from the pre-production stage to how it will be playing out, produced and look this time.

Over 30 000 online entries were received in May from across Nigeria with producers who had to ditch the live audition process at venues across Nigeria because of Covid-19.

Neither the number of contestants who will be in the house in the 5th season, nor the prize money amount have been revealed, although M-Net says "this season's prize money promises to be bigger, including other surprises for viewers and fans of the show".

The selected contestants are now undergoing strigent Covid-19 and other medical testing during the 2-week wait before they enter the Big Brother Naija house.

"The contestants are currently in quarantine and we are working with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to ensure that due protocols are observed in monitoring the contestants," said Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, M-Net West Africa regional director during a virtual media briefing for Big Brother Naija's 5th season with journalists that was held on Thursday.

"In the case of contestants not being fit for the show, we have a wide pool of qualified contestants that we can choose from,” Mba-Uzoukwu said. She said enough potential replacements have been selected as well in case one of the primary housemates fall ill before the show kicks off on 19 July.

Due to social distancing rules, the live audience for Big Brother Nigeria Sunday night eviction shows have been axed, as well as the crowds who used to join the launch programme as well as the conclusion and winner announcement.

There will also be no celebrity visits or other people entering the camera-filled house once the broadcast of the season starts and that will roughly run for three months or 90 days from 19 July as part of measures to ensure "minimal contact with outsiders".

The Big Brother Naija production crew will also be working in socially-distanced shifts.

The 5th season of Big Brother Naija will once again be broadcast 24/7 on a dedicated Big Brother Naija pop-up channel on DStv in Nigeria and across Africa, with the live eviction shows and weekly highlights programme that will be shown on M-Net's Africa MagicShowcase, Africa Magic Urban and Africa Magic Family channels on DStv.

Like the GoldenEye satellite from James Bond, the livery of season 5 of Big Brother Naija features a golden eye embossed with a sliver of blue in the design.

TV CRITIC's NOTEBOOK. Journalists from across the continent on a Big Brother Naija TV junket with MultiChoice Africa showed off their dazzling feeding frenzy as they 'selfie'd just about everything - except for actually reporting the news and about the business of Big Brother.

If you thought there were going to be reams and reams of detailed, timeous stories as well as comprehensive reporting from the group of journalists from across Africa who went on a week-long TV tour with MultiChoice to Lagos, Nigeria to cover the launch of the 4th season of Big Brother Naija, you thought wrong - and haven't been keeping track of the trash level of what's passing as (non)coverage and reporting of Africa's entertainment and TV industry.

What we did get were selfies - lots and lots of them - food videos, what they drank, their gifts, their nightclub escapades, their dazzling pouting and even their red carpet strutting - because so-called journalists want to be photographed appearing on the red carpet themselves these days, instead of behind the rope line covering it.

While the gaggle of journalists that The MultiChoice Group invited enjoyed their multi-day stay at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel on Victoria Island in Lagos last week in the lead-up to the live show launch event of the 4th season of Big Brother Naija on Sunday, you'd be hard-pressed, even days later, trying to find any story or any actual incisive reporting from any of the multiple media sessions or studio and set tours they did.

What exactly the return on the investment is for MultiChoice when so-called journalists from across Africa go on a week-long media junket and do little to absolutely nothing except taking selfies to make themselves look good, is anyone's guess.

For journalism and entertainment journalism, and in terms of reporting about the TV industry on the continent, it's however once again highly embarrassing - besides looking like a massive MultiChoice waste of money.

FOOD FOOD FOOD 🤸🏿‍♂️🤸🏿‍♂️💃.
##bbnaijaexperience19 @DStv_Ghana @GOtvNg @MultiChoiceGRP pic.twitter.com/1Uhh9o5U47

— Entertainment chic 👌🏿: @adwoaloudgh (@adwoaloudgh) June 28, 2019

Journalists did a media session with John Ugbe, MultiChoice Nigeria CEO; Femi Odugbemi, the West African director of the MultiChoice Talent Factory and students; Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, M-Net West Africa channels director; as well as studio and set visits of SuperSport and M-Net's prime time soap Tinsel.

They saw, stayed in, and got to personally experience the Big Brother Naija house. They attended the new season's live launch event and afterparty on Sunday night.

The normal expectation is that there wouldn't and shouldn't just be at least one story about each of those, but multiple stories about all of it since journalists got on-location access as well as access to several TV executives, producers and on-screen talent over days.

Instead journalists did almost nothing - besides visibly pandering social media selfies and show-off videos like opening Big Brother Naija gift boxes (ooh, 12 spices!), their meals, their drinks, showing off their dressing up for nights out to have dinner and going to nightclubs - essentially anything but covering and reporting on Big Brother Naija and what they've seen, heard and were told about MultiChoice and its TV operations.

Where is the return on the investment? Where is the duty to the public?

Is Insta-posts from TV Tour, with the swirl of FX-glitter for effect, the level we've fallen to and all that the public get now when access media forsake what they're supposed to be there for?

Are you ready for the hottest season of #BBNaija starting this Sunday on @DStvUganda!?! My #bbnaijaexperience just got hotter with this welcome gift from Big Brother! pic.twitter.com/Z468beuMB4

— Charlie Denzel Mwiyeretsi 🇺🇬 (@DenzelUG) June 27, 2019

It's hugely problematic when on a TV junket, it's more publicly known that journalists went to Lagos' Lekki market, visited Freedom Park in downtown Lagos, visited the Nike Art Centre for Art and Culture and had a night out at N-tyce, than what it is to find any actual reporting on what the journalists were there to cover and report on workwise about the latest African version of the Endemol Shine Group's reality format show.

MultiChoice literally gave journalists the experience of staying over for a night in the newly-created Big Brother Naija camera-filled house - the first time in 13 years (since 2006) that a Big Brother production has been done from inside Nigeria, while M-Net and SuperSport gave access to their studios and shows.

Scour the interwebs and try and find stories from the overnight experience or the various other productions and what was said or seen there.

Beyond the lack of first-hand reports about the Big Brother Naija stay (of which there should rightly be several), there are no reports about the design, the construction, the production behind-the-scenes, the new broadcasting set-up from Lagos, or what went into the creation of the house.

Where is the coverage?

It's as if some people were simply picked for a multi-day holiday in Lagos as part of a week of self-entitled feeding, frolicking and having fun without doing the work - which is to represent the hundreds or thousands of readers, listeners or viewers, and to report on the business of broadcasting and the business of Big Brother Naija.

It's inexcusable.


ALSO READ: From a male stripper to a lawyer and a police officer working in Londen are part of the 21 Nigerian housemates competing in the 4th season of M-Net West Africa's Big Brother Naija on DStv that is now done from a studio in Lagos.
ALSO READ: IN IMAGES. 50 photos from inside the house of the 4th season of Big Brother Naija and its colourfully designed interior.

M-Net adds new weekday Nigerian drama series, Halita, to Africa Magic Family from 4 February.

A new weekday drama series, Halita, will start on Africa Magic Family (DStv 154) on Monday 4 February, revolving around a Northern Nigeria woman forced to flee her village and finding new life in the city.

Halita, played by Chisom Gabriella, tells the story of a young woman forced to escape from an evil lover, only to face the intrigue and drama of a new life in the city with a powerful family.

"Halita demonstrates yet again our commitment to telling the best stories out of Africa for Africa. It is a tale of family, fortune and fate, and is guaranteed to provide the exciting entertaining content that the Africa Magic channels are renowned for," says Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, M-Net's Africa Magic channel director.

"The production values are stellar, and the performances are worthy of critical acclaim. Lovers of exciting African entertainment content would do well to tune in and watch the show."

The Halita cast includes Ummi Baba Ahmed, Boma Elamiena and Eddy Madaki.

REVIEW. The less bad than before 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards on Africa Magic on DStv still a far way from a passing grade with many mistakes - but fewer than before.

How to say this: The 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards held for the 6th time on Victoria Island in Lagos, Nigeria on Saturday night wasn't a great award show broadcast on the Africa Magic channels, nor was it good or got a passing grade - but it was less bad than previously, so in that sense was an improvement on the previous 5 years.

The amateurish broadcast of the 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards with Nadia White as director and executive produced by Kayode Gbenga had less mistakes than in all previous years but this is still not how a so-called pan-African awards show - honouring and being about the best in film and TV no less - should look on television.

Saturday night's three and a quarter hour broadcast on the Africa Magic channels across MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform had a smoother flow; had more functional pacing that was good, and had a beautiful, world class, gold-and-white audio-visual theme that employed a little director's chair, camera, film rolls and the Africa Magic logo as a button, to great effect.

Julius Oluwadamilare and Peter Obie were responsible for the motion graphics.

Unfortunately the rest was again trash, although there were less trash.

Viewers were not shown empty seats like in the past.

Viewers didn't see late winners storm the stage doing acceptance speeches. Winners this year who went over their time unceremoniously got their mics cut and the camera switching back to one of the hosts to introduce a new category (bad and disruptive yes, but not as bad as rambling people not knowing when to stop).

When Ngozi Obasi for instance simply didn't want to stop talking after winning Best costume designer, despite the music rising louder to drown her out and play her off, producers abruptly cut her mic and switched to IK Osakioduwa who then cut to an ad break.

Sound problems and audio level mistakes - especially with the muting and unmuting of Minnie Dlamini Jones' mic - cropped up throughout the night, with Ayo Adeife who was responsible for sound overall as the audio supervisorm and with Kumle Akintayo as head sound engineer.

The cue-in and cue-out timing between category nominee AVs playing and category presenters talking, were wrong all night - with viewers who missed a lot of words and sentences during the switching between stage-live and play-AV because producers didn't do anything to improve initial mistakes and to correct the playout lag.

The stage design done by Equally Diverse Solutions looked shockingly dull, cheap, unimaginative, plain and unbecoming of an African awards show such as what the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards tries to be.

The golden arches against the back wall were chipped, incredibly dented and scratched, and this showed up highly visible on screen throughout the night.

It gave the 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards a constant second-hand on-screen look. Wasn't this supposed to be newly built? Was this a re-use and redress from other Africa Magic shows? It was shoddy and looked trashy.

If you can't bring out proper set silverware for supposedly the year's biggest televised showcase event on Africa Magic, what can M-Net bring it out for?

Interestingly MultiChoice Nigeria (currently embroiled in an ugly court case over its recent price hikes in that country) inserted a recorded public message from John Ugbe, MultiChoice Nigeria managing director, saying "We're here to stay".

The 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards is supposed to be a pan-African awards show, so a specifically Nigerian message didn't really make sense, but it didn't detract from the broadcast.

The In Memoriam segment was once again very bad and again omitted several names across Africa that should have been included.

The producers couldn't bother to actually include pictures of those who died - in an awards show about TV and film as visual mediums, and broadcast on television where you need to show viewers things.

The inclusion of a live orchestral band - with very bad sound (did anybody do a sound and level check beforehand?) was bad because of the lack of proper mics to capture the surround sound.

The result? The orchestra sounded off (and small) - which wasn't their fault.

The inclusion of a random operatic performance was odd and completely out-of-place for a show like this. Nothing against opera, but the 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards isn't the appropriate place to insert an aria.

The sexist IK Osakioduwa was back with more lame, one-note jokes all along the theme of him lusting after women he can't have sex with, and saying things like he wants to be a rapper so he could be surrounded by irresponsible girls.

Why people like Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, M-Net West Africa director, keep condoning his behaviour and keep hiring him back to spout this trash remarks that don't belong in Africa's entertainment industry is shocking and inexplicable.

Didn't he have a script that he had to study and keep to? And if he had a script and this was in there, who okay'ed this and though it was acceptable?

The awards show finished on time at 23:15, when it should have - an improvement on the past.

The on-stage lighting was mistakenly switched off several times with Minnie Dlamini Jones and IK Osakioduwa literally standing in the dark, especially towards the end, and having to talk, visible only as silhouettes.

Why does it remain so difficult for M-Net and Africa Magic to broadcast a passing grade and half decent awards show?

If Nigeria doesn't have the required technical talent to pull of an awards show of this scale that comes with certain visual, audio, floor, stage and other planning challenges, why not fly in experienced production people from elsewhere for the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards to help and do it if so many other people are already being flown in?

Pan-African viewers deserve better than what the 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards showed, although it was the "best" one out of the bad of the past 6 years. Hopefully the still not quite there production values will continue to improve.

TV CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK. Why is nothing available - or being made available - to the press about the M-Net and MultiChoice executives panel discussion that preceded the 6th Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards 2018?

Why is nothing available - or being made available - to the press covering it, about the panel discussion that M-Net and MultiChoice executives had before the 6th Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards for 2018 that took place on Saturday night?

While panelists like Yolisa Phahle (MultiChoice CEO for general entertainment), John Ugbe (MultiChoice Nigeria managing director), Nkateko Mabaso (acting M-Net CEO), Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu (M-Net West Africa director) and the 3 MultiChoice Talent Factory directors Njoki Muhoho, Berry Lwando and Femi Odugbemi all attended in Lagos, Nigeria and spoke, neither M-Net nor MultiChoice bothered to release any press statements, audio or a rush-transcript for the media about it.

While M-Net and MultiChoice are multinational, pan-African companies and hold up the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards as a continental type of awards show and competition, the organisers don't seem to really bother, or want to bother, with making the effort of properly including East or Southern Africa beyond the most superficial level.

MultiChoice and M-Net marketing exec and publicist haven't bothered to issue any information or even a bare-bones transcript, speeches or just notes with talking points, about the exec panel discussion.

The question is why. Are they lazy? Are they incompetent? Are they not aware that it matter? Are they really so clueless that there are media who find it important enough to cover and who would actually want to report on what the pay-TV provider's executives have to say?

Why make the effort of organising a public panel with company executives, and then not actually pass the final hurdle of communicating properly what was said there to media who can't physically attend?

Some press did attend but themselves haven't bothered to report anything about what was actually said at the panel discussion.

This again follows the established pattern of superficial coverage and largely non-coverage of invited media who annually end up doing very little at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards although their purpose is supposedly to cover the actual event and things like the panel discussion leading up to it.

The AMVCA organisers and M-Net and MultiChoice should be doing better with media relations and getting information out, and to, the actual journalists and media really covering the TV industry on the continent, but either doesn't know how, or doesn't care to do this better or properly.

The panel discussion apparently would have revolved around how MultiChoice and M-Net is growing original African television programming and investing in films, what these companies are doing to promote new talent, how the new MultiChoice Talent Factory works and what MultiChoice and M-Net are contributing to the continent's video entertainment sector.

The information and the opportunity for the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards, as well as M-Net and MultiChoice to communicate all of this, would have been interesting but also valuable to not just the TV and film industry across Africa to hear, but also to the broader public who might be following what these companies do and what they are involved in.

Sadly that opportunity of course is lost.

There will however be lots of photos of women in pretty dresses as the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards deliberately dilutes, through inaction, the focus of what it can really communicate to the public and the industry about what is being done to invest and help improve television and film in Africa.

Will M-Net and MultiChoice's mistake-filled Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards sink or swim this Saturday in Lagos for the 6th time around on Africa Magic? The live broadcast will once again tell.

Will the mistake-filled Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards done by M-Net on MultiChoice's DStv pay-TV service sink or swim the 6th time round in 2018 when the pan-African awards show is broadcast live this coming Saturday on Africa Magic?

Viewers and TV critics are waiting with baited breath as to whether M-Net and MultiChoice Africa will be able to clamp down on the always-ridiculed awardcast and its odd red carpet pre-show when the 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards will get televised across Africa this Saturday on the various Africa Magic channels.

The 3-hour broadcast of the 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards red carpet pre-show that had dubious production values the previous 5 years and always create unintentionally hilarious mistakes, will start at 17:00 on Africa Magic Epic (DStv 152), Africa Magic Urban (DStv 153) and Africa Magic Family (DStv 154) this Saturday.

This will be followed by the 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards live awards show ceremony at 20:00 until 23:00 (theoretically if there's no run-over as in the past) on the same Africa Magic channels.

As previously reported, the award show is called the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards although the "viewers' choice" part has actually once again been cut down further and reduced this year from 16 to just 7 categories.

Viewers now only get to actually choose 7 out of the 27 winners of the supposed pan-African TV and film competition that continues to be basically heavily Nigerian-filled with a sprinkling of participation from East and Southern Africa included.

The in-show experience of the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards , once again taking place at the Eko Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria, is different from the actual telecast - the actual broadcast has a lot more self-evident and obvious mistakes, with the ballroom audience only seeing the most obvious like the opening of wrong envelopes, wrong clips being played or awkward on-stage incidents and banter.

IK Osakioduwa and Minnie Dlamini will both be back as hosts of the 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards - the 3rd stint for both.

"We are delighted to once again celebrate outstanding achievements in the African film and television industry on the platform of the AMVCAs," says Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, Africa Magic channel director.

"As always, we promise a night filled with exciting and stellar performances led by some of Africa's biggest names in the music industry."

"Our viewers at home will not miss a moment of the event as they tune in to all Africa Magic channels on Saturday 1 September to see who wins the coveted AMVCA titles."

Debbie Odutayo appointed as the head judge for M-Net's 6th Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards 2018.

M-Net's Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards 2018 (AMVCA) has appointed Debbie Odutayo as the head judge for this year's film and television awards ceremony.

Entries for the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards 2018 closed on 30 April and will take place and be broadcast live on 1 September on all of the Africa Amagic channels on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform seen across sub-Saharan Africa.

While called it the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, M-Net this year dramatically cut back the actual "viewers choice" further - from 16 to just 7 categories that viewers can vote for and judges voting for the rest.

The "viewers choice" part has dropped by another staggering third - with no explanation from M-Net - for the 6th Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards 2018. Africa's viewers who will now only have a say about who wins for a quarter (25.92%) of the award show's winners.

Deborah "Debbie" Odutayo has over 30 years experience as a film and television professional and is co-owner of the Nigerian production company, Royal Roots Communication Network.

"Debbie Odutayo is a respected and seasoned television professional who brings extensive experience and renown to the AMVCA judging process," says Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, M-Net West Africa director.

"Her appointment as head judge is in tandem with the AMVCAs being the biggest celebration of film and television talent in Africa, with its impact seen in the improvement of the quality of entries, year after year."

"Debbie's appointment reiterates yet again our commitment to excellence and professionalism, even as the AMVCAs mark another milestone by entering the 6th successive year."

"Besides being renowned and respected in the African film and TV space, Debbie also boasts experience with the AMVCA judging process, having worked on all previous editions. We are thrilled to have her with us as head judge, and we ask that our viewers stay tuned as preparations for the show enter the final stages," says Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu.

BREAKING. Organisers dramatically cut down viewers' choice from 16 to just 7 categories as entries open for 6th Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards; M-Net and MultiChoice's AMVCAs set to take place on 1 September.

The "viewers choice" part has dropped by a staggering third, with no explanation, for the 6th Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards 2018 set for September, which Africa's viewers who will now only have a say about who wins in 7 out of the 27 categories.

While entries for the 6th Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards 2018 will open on 1 March, this year the actual choice of viewers as to who should win, will represent just a quarter of the award show's winners - 25.92% to be exact.

Entries to submit work will open for Africa's film and TV producers on 1 March and close on 30 April, and South Africans are welcome to enter - while sadly the say that viewers have in deciding winners is being dramatically cut down although it's still called a "Viewers' Choice" awards ceremony.

The 2018 AMVCAs done by MultiChoice and M-Net will take place in the third quarter of this year, on 1 September 2018.

The AMVCA organisers didn't bothered to explain why the viewers' choice has been dramatically reduced. Previously viewers across Africa chose 16 of the 27 categories in 2017. This has been gutted with viewers who will now just choose a shocking 7 of the 27 categories in 2018.

In January TVwithThinus reported that the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards isn't scrapped despite Nigerian trash reporting erroneously claiming that the AMVCAs has come to an end.

M-Net explained that the AMVCAs didn't take at the beginning of this year but that the annual pan-African award show celebrating the continent's film and television as well as its producers and stars is going ahead.

M-Net said that it deliberately decided to move the AMVCAs to the latter part of this year to unclutter the event television schedule.

"Nearly one year after the last AMVCAs, we are pleased to announce the call to entry for 2018 edition of the awards," says Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, M-Net West Africa director.

"The African movie and television industry is brimming with exciting talent, and at Africa Magic we contribute to the industry by not only giving these talents the platform to showcase their skills and passion, but by celebrating their achievements whilst also encouraging them to continue honing their craft."

The Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards celebrate filmmakers in different categories ranging from acting and directing to script writing and cinematography. 

For 2018 M-Net says "a number of awards in different categories will be presented ranging from acting and directing to script writing and cinematography."

Other categories will include: short film or online video, soundtrack, costume designing, sound and lighting. 

For 2017 there were 27 categories in total with viewers who decided 16 and 11 who were decided by the AMVCA panel of judges.

M-Net and MultiChoice are however dramatically cutting viewers' choice down in the AMVCAs for this year, limiting true "viewers' choice" to just 7 of the 27 categories and with 20 decided by the AMVCA judges.

Its disingenuous from M-Net's Africa Magic and MultiChoice to call it a "Viewers' Choice Awards" when the vote from viewers suddenly count just 25.9%.

It's also very bad from M-Net's Africa Magic and MultiChoice - that presumably want viewers' buy-in for a show premised on a popular vote - but signaling that the very viewers expected to vote and to vote are not actually trusted in their decision-making and choices.

Meanwhile John Ugbe, MultiChoice Nigeria's managing director, in a statement says he is delighted "at the the growing success of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards".

"We have been inundated by calls from filmmakers across Africa with everyone asking when the AMVCAs would return for another edition. After a brief hiatus, we are thrilled to announce that 2018 will indeed mark the sixth consecutive year of MultiChoice and Africa Magic successfully hosting the AMVCAs and we remain proud of the improvements seen in the industry since the inception of the awards as we know that these cannot be ignored or overstated."

"Furthermore, our continued investment demonstrates our dedication in helping unearth and celebrate talent on continent and we believe that the 2018 edition of the AMVCAs will leave an even bigger impact on the African film production industry than the previous five."

Entry for the 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards is free and the closing date for submissions is 30 April 2018. 

Films, made-for-television movies or television series previously entered into or nominated for an award, or awarded a prize in another film and television competition are eligible to be entered for the AMVCAs, and all films, made-for-television movies or television series are eligible for entry to the AMVCAs if they are broadcast or publicly screened during the period of 1 October 2016 to 31 March 2018.

Here are the guidelines:
1. Prepare a 2 to 3 minute long showreel for online submission.

2. Log on to www. africamagic.tv and navigate to the submission page.

3. Fill out the submission forms and upload the clip. A unique reference number will be allocated to each completed online submission. Depending on their location, participants should send their entries to either of the following addresses, quoting their unique reference number:

Attention: Hadizat Ibrahim (Nigeria)

Mss Local Productions

4 Industrial street, off town planning way, Illupeju, Lagos. 

Attention: Buhle Ngcauzele (South Africa)

137 Bram Fischer Drive, Randburg, 2123, South Africa.

Attention: Margaret Mathore (Kenya)

2nd floor, M-Net Offices

Local Production studio, Jamhuri Grounds off Ngong Road, Nairobi, Kenya.

More information on entry requirements and submission procedures are available at www.africamagic.tv

M-Net adds new Nigerian weekday telenovela, Battleground, to Africa Magic Showcase on DStv revolving around the Bhadmus family.

M-Net has added a new Nigerian weekday telenovela to DStv with Battleground that kicked off on Monday 1 May at 21:00 on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv 151) revolving around the extended Bhadmus family and its troubles with power, money and fame.

Battleground follows the success of Africa Magic's recently concluded telenovela Hush and the launch of new shows like the sitcom My Flatmates and the telenovela Jemeji.

Produced for M-Net by the Nigerian filmmaker and Tinsel producer Femi Odugbemi, Battleground revolves around patriarch Chief Kolade Bhadmus and his family and their entangled personal, family and business dealings.

The Battleground cast includes Nollywood veterans Joke Silva, Yinka Davies, Gbenga Titiloye and Francis Onwuchei. 

Other actors are Shaffy Bello, Ozzy Agu, Okey Uzoeshi, Ini Dima-Okojie and Hauwa Allahbura, with The Voice Nigeria finalists Chike Osebuka and Nonso Bassey also making appearances.

"Battleground is an exciting new telenovela that shows how the combination of love, lust, greed and power ultimately results in a powerful story with different, ripple effects for everyone involved," says Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, M-Net West Africa director.

"Battleground is yet again another example of Africa Magic's continued investment in the African film and television industry. The show features an emsemble cast that mixes established Nollywood actors and new, up-and-coming faces in the industry. I urge viewers to tune in and catch this amazing show."

M-NET AT 30: M-Net celebrates 30 years as pay-TV broadcaster with special stars and Trevor Noah.

On Thursday night a phalanx of stars – from TV talent and media, to TV executives, politicians and musicians – from across the entire Africa showed up at pay-TV broadcaster M-Net's dazzling 30th birthday celebration.

Toasting with Moët & Chandon champagne as massive surround sound video walls replayed iconic M-Net nostalgia ranging from beloved yesteryear M-Net and SuperSport theme songs to modern day TV magic, guests inside the massive marquee tent at MultiChoice City in Randburg "ooh"-ed and "aah"-ed at three decades of unforgettable television entertainment.

Afropop star Claire Johnston from Mango Groove sang "Special Star" as guests tucked away at everything from smoked salmon trout and nordic shrimp to beef mignon with potatoes, followed by a dessert and cheese emporium.

Following a magical exhibition of M-Net highlights over the past 30 years in the MultiChoice City atrium, guests watched in delight as M-Net, that dug deep into its video vault archive, took attendees on a "remember that?" visual journey of sound and colour through its iconic programming of the past three decades.

Other performers included The Voice SA winner Richard Stirton, former Idols winner, Khaya Mthethwa, and The Voice SA coach Kahn Morbee of The Parlotones.

African songbird Lira, moved the audience with several songs including an emotional In Memorian tribute to all the people who've worked to bring the M-Net magic over the past 30 years and who had passed away as their names flashed across the giant screens.

'The magic is in the stories we tell'

The South African comedian Trevor Noah, now host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show, appeared in a recorded stand-up act throughout the night as a hologram projection and said M-Net didn't stop with just one TV channel when it launched in October 1986 "but thought about the whole African continent".

"M-Net is an African show, this is an African channel and they took it out there. And you've got different magic now – not just Mzansi Magic. You've got Maisha Magic Bongo, Maisha Magic and Africa Magic!"

Trevor Noah said while Americans have and know "ketchup" as tomato sauce, South Africans and Africans know and love DStv Catch Up – MultiChoice’s TV on demand video service.

"We’re going to be watching on our phones, we're going to be watching on our laptops. We don't even know what TV of the future will be. For all we know it's going to be on the inside of our eyes."

"But the most most important thing , and you know this if you're an African," said Trevor Noah, "is that the story will always remain the most important thing – and I'm glad that M-Net invest in the community and are producing the content that people really want to see. TV is merely a platform but the magic is in the stories that we tell."

Ferdinand Rabie, the first winner of Big Brother South Africa, told TVwithThinus that "I just want to thank M-Net who ensured that when I was a high school laaitie that M-Net always ensured that there was something to watch on a Sunday evening when you’re in school res after a wonderful weekend. And thanks for throwing me out there and giving exposure with Big Brother!"

Bob van Dijk, Naspers CEO said M-Net’s "profound success" wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the media and stakeholders without whom “M-Net could have never been what it is today”.

Yolisa Phahle, M-Net CEO said "M-Net is a proudly African company committed to telling the best international and African stories."

"But the company's greatest achievement is the remarkable and diverse group of people who bring this enduring brand to life in so many ways each day. To make real magic you have to believe in it, so thank you to everyone for choosing to believe."

'M-Net has helped to give Africa a different voice'

Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, M-Net's regional director for West Africa, told TVwithThinus "congratulations M-Net, they've achieved a lot in three decades, investing in talent and telling African stories in a unique way".

"Local language is a big thing. My part of M-Net is looking after Africa. A lot in investment has gone into talent and building talent. We've got big shows like Tinsel going into its 10th season. It's a huge investment. M-Net has helped to give Africa a different voice; to help people see Africa in a different light."

"Africa isn't doom and gloom. There's tremendous talent in Africa and M-Net Africa helps to showcase the talent in front of and behind the screen and I’m personally so proud to work for M-Net and to manage the Africa Magic brand."

Lalla Hirayama, the face of M-Net Movies and presenter of Lalla Land said "Happy, happy birthday M-Net! You’re such an incredible force in African television the past three decades. To be part of a brand that’s delivered so much magic to the homes of South Africans is such an honour. God bless you and may we see another 60, 90 years of magic!”

Gideon Khobane, SuperSport CEO told TVwithThinus on Thursday night that “M-Net changed all our lives. When I was young we watched Open Time. Then we got a decoder. Then started working and got DStv. It’s been the pinnacle of entertainment”.

“I’ve worked at SABC and when I was there I said to myself one day I want to work at M-Net. And then I’ve been fortunate enough to work at M-Net. Now I’m at SuperSport and SuperSport was M-Net’s baby. So congratulation and all the best for another 30 years”.

The minister of communication Faith Muthambi said M-Net introduced reality TV with shows like Big Brother, Idols, Survivor SA. “The original channels and shows it created reflects the diversity of languages and tastes of viewers. M-Net has made a huge investment in talent and industry to create this magic.”

Nolo Letele, MultiChoice South Africa chairperson said “[in] 30 years of history M-Net hasn’t rested on their laurels. They continue to find new formats in broadcasting. They broadcast in local languages. And they invest substantially in local productions. May the magic never stop.”