FROM THE PUBLISHER

hrough hard work and sheer determination, Nigeria continues to make considerable progress in its bid to Tachieving digitisation of the broadcast landscape.

With visible improvements to signal distribution and DTT presence in six states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), digital migration is steadily becoming a definite success. Proof of this can be seen in recent launches in Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Oshogbo, and more state capitals almost ready and raring to go.

Due to the combined efforts of stakeholders in the DSO process, content owners, signal distributors, content aggregators and set-top box manufacturers have experienced significant growth in reach and quality maximisation. The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) continues to work tirelessly, with dedication and zeal, to ensure a smooth, user-friendly and seamless transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.

I hope this edition of the Free TV Broadcast Journal adequately serves to enlighten our Rajiv Mekkat readers on growing trends in the industry, with Chief Executive Officer existing opportunities in artificial intelligence, technological advances and activities of various contributors to the success of modern broadcasting in Africa. www.freetv.ng

3 he broadcasting industry operators around the world organise a forum for interaction between and amongst players- broadcasters, Tequipment manufacturers and vendors, decision makers and regulators from time to time.

It is always an occasion to showcase latest technological developments in sound, marketing, storage, picture quality, cameras and recorders, content etc.

National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) in Las Vegas, USA; Discop in Johanesburg, South Africa; Mipcom in Cannes, France; and the like are some examples of the industry fora.

Here in Nigeria, the bi-ennial conference of Africa broadcasters holds in October and preparations are in top gear.

From non other than the Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board, Adebayo Thomas has joined his voice in calling for the hosting of the next edition of BBNaija in Nigeria. That is patriotic and we hope that the right investment will be made towards its realisation.

On Digital Switch Over, the African Broadcasting Industry should adopt a unified system for a successful digital transition giving the high cost of migration; that’s the position of Khiran Keerodhur, CEO of Mauritius based Broadcasting Media Solutions.

The African Music industry lost another icon, Ras Kimono recently. Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), and all lovers of his music mourn his departure and pray for the peaceful repose of his soul.

These and many more are the features in this edition of the journal.

It is another collector’s copy. Enjoy it. Kalada Wilson

5 IPI CONGRESS: Iredia urges media return to agenda-setting

A Cross-Section of African Broadcasters in Kigali African Broadcasters Deliberate DSO Dividends any countries in Africa programme we broadcast. We adding that digital technology are in the process of should also raise value proposition provides new ways of packaging Mmigrating from analogue beyond broadcasting. We should information. Wongibe pointed out to digital broadcasting. As look at this as a commercial the need to commercialise the digital members of the African Union of investment,” he noted. infrastructure being set up and using Broadcasting (AUB) met in Kigali, it to generate more revenue in the it was revealed that the process, Many other participants gathered long run. once achieved, could turn around at Kigali Convention Centre opined “We have to be intellectually inclined, Former DG, NTA, Dr. Tonnie Iredia the broadcasting business on the that the digital transformation that which means understanding ways of continent. The Ghanaian deputy broadcasters were going through working with and making decisions he former Director General “We consider this event very important, agenda-setting rather than leave it minister for Communications, will unlock new business avenues. that benefit us,” noted Ayub Rioba, of Nigeria Television Authority because of the subsisting perception of to politicians.” George Nenyi Andah, said that The Deputy Director General the Director General of Tanzania T(NTA), Dr. Tonnie Iredia, has Nigeria in the international community. with Digital Terrestrial Television of Cameroon Radio Television, Broadcasting Corporation. Rioba called on the Nigerian media to We are all victims of the image deficit He pointed out that Nigeria stands (DTT), there are benefits for Emmanuel Wongibe, said for Africa added that African broadcasters return to its agenda-setting role of that the nation has.” to gain from the congress, as about governments, broadcasters and to reap digital dividends from the should be ideologically aware, as being the watchdog of the society, 300 foreign delegates and four head consumers, highlighting his migration process, broadcasters well as culturally rooted, which he by shunning all political agenda. Iredia lamented the situation where of states would be participating, country’s experience. would have to think differently. said will go a long way to promote Nigerian journalists have continued to providing them the opportunity African content. He also charged the media not to grumble and question foreign media, to witness Nigeria physically, and “In my country, we have set up “We should be creative and change be the megaphone of politicians which project Nigeria in bad light, report what they have seen rather DTT network infrastructure. This the way of doing business as He stated that about 454 million who merely mouth platitudes and noting, “the narrative should change, than negativity. is already providing opportunity broadcasters. Digital revolution has Africans have access to the internet side-lining genuine development of by us blowing our trumpets a little bit to quality content production, enabled multiplicity of channels, and advised operators to innovate the country. in order to project us in the correct He urged the Nigerian media to use ability to market the country and but this is not a dividend in itself; around this development as growing perspective. This is also a wake-up the opportunity of the conference to the continent much better, and this is a critical starting point for online consumption poses a threat Iredia disclosed this in Lagos in a call for the Nigeria media to return change the narratives, adding, “It is it is allowing for government everyone,” he noted. to the survival of the broadcasting bid to sensitise the media on the to the old order of being in charge of our duty to offer the positives. My information dissemination,” “We have seen telecoms move business. A 2017 report by world congress and give it the contention has always been that he said. The switch to digital simply from telephone companies Eurodata, shows that the average desired publicity. The former NTA “ Nigeria is the leading nation in the broadcasting, he added, has to money transfer operations to TV consumption per day in Africa is boss said Nigeria would host IPI The narrative should world in terms of neighbourliness, brought down the cost of entry insurance operations. Lots of value only 3 hours and 10 minutes. World Congress for the first time and there lies our strength”. in the space, and the country is added services. They understood on June 22 in Abuja, noting that change, by us blowing moving to achieve 110 channels what the dividend was. Us, on the Participants agreed that African it is the most significant media our trumpets a little bit in He stressed that the media must from 42 channels. other side, we did not see this. countries would need to put their event of the decade, and as such, prepare Nigerians ahead of the We should change our economic own production plants in place the media should tap into the order to project us in the event, to showcase the positives “But this is not enough. As thinking”. in order to overcome challenges opportunity it would offer Nigeria to within the country: “We need to countries, we should be thinking He urged broadcasters to explore related to expensive audio-visual project herself to the international correct perspective showcase our development projects of generating revenues from every modern forms of advertisement, equipment. community in a very positive way. “ to these foreign media.”

6 7 African Broadcasters Want More for Culture, Music Jean-Luc Gnakouri representing the Ivorian National Radio he initiative by African Union of broadcasters from different countries channels and opening for more Broadcasting (AUB), launched in Africa will select representatives options of content production. Trecently in Kigali Rwanda, is after which they will travel to Ivory “It [the transition] would expected to promote music and Coast to compete. The whole accelerate the supply of African culture across the continent. programme will take up to four content and consequently ease The Initiative dubbed ‘Rise and months. “We chose music because we the cost of production. But, more DSTV Tackles ICASA Over Netflix: Shine Africa’ was launched during believe it is a universal language that importantly, we would easily the first day of the 11th General every African can easily understand. promote African values and Thousands may lose jobs in SA Assembly of the union in Kigali. It is also something that has the identity,” he noted. . It is the union’s flagship project power to truly portray what Africa is he Independent Communication South Africa. While there will be jobs for South aimed at advancing the continent’s about,” Gnakouri noted. Rise and Shine Africa is just one Authority of South Africa Africans working in the broadcasting current agenda to promote locally of the several ambitious projects T(ICASA) has been warned by These included forcing exclusive sector at multinationals like Netflix produced content, and it is expected The jury that will choose the top that the union is planning to Multichoice that thousands of South sports rights contracts to be and Amazon, those companies won’t that this will help change the wrong competitors will be made up of pursue. It was disclosed that Africans could be thrown into the shortened, unbundling and have the local focus MultiChoice narrative about Africa. renowned artistes and personalities ‘AUB Bouquet’ would soon be set unemployment market if the regulatory splitting the sports rights, and does. in the music industry representing up. It will be a satellite bouquet authority proceeds with heavy-handed forcing MultiChoice to license its While unveiling the initiative, Jean- the five geographical and linguistic that will enable African Diaspora regulations for the Pay TV market. rights to other broadcasters. MultiChoice said it is also looking Luc Gnakouri of Ivorian National zones of the continent. They include households to be equipped with to take on the likes of Netflix with Radio & TV (RTI), highlighted that the Alpha Blonde, Fally Ipupa, Sarkodie, a satellite dish to easily access The South African body is scheduled to Multichoice said if ICASA proceeds a streaming-only DStv package. pan-African programme would also Lokua Kanza, and Yemi Alade. African TV programmes. hold public hearings on an inquiry into with this kind of regulation, it will The fact is MultiChoice can’t invest contribute to strengthen exchanges subscription television broadcasting kill DStv’s business and hand the nearly the amount of capital Netflix among African countries. “The aim African radio and television At the meeting, participants also services even as MultiChoice has South African market to online can, and it has to comply with local of this important initiative is to broadcasters said it was time Africa emphasised that Africa ought to briefed the media on the feedback it streaming giants like Netflix and broadcasting regulations that Netflix promote music and culture on the tells its own story in its unique way. change its economic plot when will put forward. Amazon. isn’t being held to. continent, but we want to ultimately According to Gnakouri, the initiative it comes to the increasingly “We are an established, mature reinforce the entertainment was fitting into the commitment changing broadcasting business. Commenting on the feedback, “Netflix will never employ a lot of industry that is looking out over a mission of broadcasters, encourage that the broadcasters had given “While we continuously speak Multichoice said it will argue that people around the world like we cliff. These regulations will push [us] exchanges and cooperation themselves to up their game in about [radio and television] ICASA must not go overboard with have. It employs around 4,000 over that cliff,” said MultiChoice. between the AUB Member realising the urgency of telling the programmes, our competitors are the regulations, and that whatever it people for the whole group,” said Organisations, and enhance the continent’s story. speaking about products. While implements should apply to the whole Mawela. MultiChoice has 8,000 The CEO of Multichoice disclosed reputation and the visibility of the we speak about viewers, they pay TV sector – including services like employees in South Africa alone. that if ICASA’s inquiry was held three union,” he said. Participants from 46 African countries speak about markets. This is also Netflix. According to Calvo Mawela, It said the majority of its staff are years ago, while they were trying to were pushing for rapid transition from the economic thinking that we the CEO of Multichoice South Africa black, and that most of the people establish a licensing framework for According to the official, Rise and analogue to digital broadcasting must have in the broadcasting “right now, it looks as though ICASA is it employs are women. pay TV, it would have made more Shine Africa will be a musical event that most believe could give African sector,” said Kwame Akuffo Anoff- focused only on what pay TV used to sense. Now the market has moved which will be hosted in Ivory Coast. broadcasting a competitive edge. Ntow, the president of AUB. be, but it is moving from satellites to At the end of its last financial year, on, however, and DStv is not the To this effect, the signal of the Members also suggested setting online.” MultiChoice’s staff complement market power it used to be. event will be made available to all AUB’s Director-General, Grégoire up a pan-African media outlet, was 87% black, and 51% black member organisations via satellite Ndjaka, said that the transition to an idea that gained momentum In 2017, ICASA released a discussion women. It is also a level 1 BBBEE “It’s way too far down the line. for live or delayed broadcast. digital broadcasting would address after President Paul Kagame, the document on the pay TV inquiry contributor, paying R10.4 billion to The horse has bolted. It is time to The programme will be in form culture and content concerns, current chair of the African Union, where it laid out options to address black suppliers in the last financial liberalise the market, not regulate it of a competition in which public allowing the broadcasting of more agreed to support it. MultiChoice’s “market dominance” in year. more heavily,” said Mawela. 8 9 SES RESTATES COMMITMENT TO EFFECTIVE DSO REACH By Chioma Eke

n line with the International poor signal reception especially and 12 Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Telecommunications Union (ITU)’s in areas with disadvantageous SES focuses on value-added and Idirective that countries switch over terrains – hence, the need for end-to-end solutions in two key from analogue to digital broadcasting, satellite support to enable signal business units; SES Video and SES the Federal Government, through the distributors improve transmission Network.” National Broadcasting Commission services in regions across (NBC), has been working towards Nigeria. Signal distributors such Based on this statistic, SES provides achieving full digital penetration in as the Integrated Television services to 37 percent of satellite TV Nigeria. Services (ITS) and Pinnacle homes in Nigeria. This spike is as a AS LAI MOHAMMED, COSON MOURN Communications Ltd have gone result of DTT homes also receiving According to the NBC, about “24 a step further by installing stop- transmissions directly from SES’s REGGAE ICON, RAS KIMONO million households have access to gap transmitters to that effect. ASTRA 2F satellite. televisions across the country”. Of this … Flags fly half-mast at COSON House figure, an estimated four million are A study on satellite operator The group explains that its ASTRA s the Minister of Information and fantastic person. He had no angst younger generation of Nigerian digital. Digital broadcasting transmits SES, a partner in the Digital 2F satellite’s orbital position at 28.2 Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, against anyone and stood for musicians. His legacy will surely pictures as digital signals. These Switch Over process, confirms degrees East has played a key role in Aexpresses shock and sadness at truth and justice at all times. I endure,” while praying that God signals are received and decoded by that over 10 million terrestrial enhancing its coverage. This satellite the passing of the globally-acclaimed have not just lost a colleague but will grant his family the strength to a compatible device connected to the television homes in the country hosts SES’s free-to-air TV platform reggae star, Ras Kimono, saying his a valued friend. This is absolutely bear their loss, and grant repose receiving television set. are on digital transmission. for Nigeria, giving broadcasters contribution to that genre of music can devastating. to the soul of the departed. According to the Chief Executive access to the highest technical reach never be forgotten, Nigerians continue FreeTV’s Set-Top Box, an upgradeable, Officer of CCNL, Rajiv Mekkat, in West Africa. to pay tribute to the musician who died “I was by his hospital bed at Lagoon According to Chief Okoroji, affordable piece of technological channels are aggregated to the at the lagoon hospital in Ikoyi. Hospital, Ikoyi Saturday night “Everyone at COSON is hardware is designed to ensure every SES headend through the use of Vice President, Sales & Market before he passed on, on Sunday. devastated because we all loved Nigerian home enjoys the luxury satellite technology for onward Development for Africa, SES Video, This is coming just as the members, Despite his ailment he was in Ras Kimono who stood firmly for of digital TV. Since its launch in Jos distribution of DTT signals. He Clint Brown, said: “SES has been Board and Management of Copyright good cheer and we even shared our cause. From Monday morning, (2016), over 616,788 Set-Top boxes explained that the comprehensive committed to driving the growth of Society of Nigeria (COSON) have jokes. I spoke to the doctors who flags begin to fly at half-mast at have been distributed by Cable reach of satellites facilitates the digital TV in Nigeria for many years. expressed great sadness at the passing expressed the view that he may COSON House in Ikeja. Channels Nigeria Limited (CCNL) delivery of content to the entire We are particularly excited by our on of an unflinching member of the have passed through the worst. across the country. populace. growing technical reach at 28.2 society and frontline member of the I was at the domestic terminal of A condolence register has also degrees East, which broadcasters COSON Board. the Murtala Muhammed Airport, be opened at COSON House for CCNL is the official licenced Content In 2017, SES increased its and content programmers will Ikeja on Sunday when I got the the lovers of Kimono to personally Aggregator of FreeTV’s Digital technical reach from three million be able to leverage to increase The Minister extended his condolences devastating phone call that got express their feelings at the loss Terrestrial Television (DTT) and Digital (in 2015) to over 11 million TV their audience via our Nigerian TV to the family, friends and fans of the me screaming like a mad man. I of the Rub- a- Dub Master. On the Satellite (DSAT) platforms. As a households. The group provides platform. In addition, the results late artiste, and indeed to the entire was already checked in for a flight many TV screens at COSON House, stakeholder in the DSO, the company satellite communications services show that the hybrid DTH/DTT Nigerian music industry, for losing to Owerri. That was the end of the there will be continuous replay works closely with signal distributors, to broadcasters, content and approach is the winning strategy a foremost proponent of reggae, a trip and the Airline had to go to of the many great performances manufacturers, the NBC, and currently internet service providers, mobile to deliver TV entertainment to the prominent campaigner for a better life the aircraft to retrieve my already of Ras Kimono including his partners satellite operator SES in and fixed network operators, highest number of TV homes.” for the people and a patriot. loaded baggage. unforgettable performance at the ensuring a successful transition. governments and institutions. last COSON Song Awards. I can Despite reaching major milestones “SES’s portfolio includes the SES has expanded its reach to 30 Reacting in Lagos to the death of one The Minister said, ”Kimono assure everyone that COSON will through the launch of DTT in Ilorin, Jos, ASTRA satellite system, which million TV homes across Africa. In of Nigeria’s most loved musicians of the helped to blaze the trail for ensure that Kimono is buried like Enugu, Kaduna and Abuja, millions of has the largest Direct-to-Home addition to the growth of homes last three decades, COSON Chairman, the phenomenal growth of the the great star that he was and that homes and television households still (DTH) television reach in Europe. reached in Nigeria, millions of Chief Tony Okoroji said, “Kimono was Nigerian music industry, and his memory is never forgotten”. run on analogue transmission. The With more than 50 satellites in homes have been reached in Ghana, not just a great musician but a truly he was a worthy mentor to the process has been fraught with issues of Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania. 10 11 is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) elements in all types of media. itself as a leading provider that provides computers with the of cloud based artificial ability to learn without being explicitly In production of content for Sports, intelligence, media analytics programmed. Machine learning IBM Watson has been used to and cognitive solutions. It focuses on the development of create content during Wimbledon has forged a partnership computer programs that can change Tennis Championship, 2016. If with broadcast and digital when exposed to new data. you’re lucky enough to get a ticket media company Bonneville to next year’s Wimbledon tennis International Corporation. As simple as the definition seems and championships, be prepared to Bonneville International Artificial like all transformative technologies be scanned by a supercomputer. President Darrell Brown said: that came into existence and changed Cameras linked to IBM’s Watson “We were seeking a solution how we live our lives, Artificial “machine-learning” platform that could index and analyze our Intelligence in intelligence will be seen in every area may be monitoring your facial broadcast programming in real- of our lives in the nearest future. expressions and trying to work out time, to provide our advertising what emotions you are displaying. If partners with increased Evidence to date of the use of the Watson learns quickly enough over visibility, transparency and Nigeria’s Digital artificial intelligence for broadcasting, a few days, it will apparently be accountability.” Veritone also cinema, TV and advertising can able to work out which player you signed a deal with Cumulus be seen in data analytics, network are supporting just by reading your Media, a US broadcasting Switch Over optimization and the production face. You news feed can quickly be company and the second of usable cinema content. There is customized to deliver information largest owner and operator of now continuous drip feed of press about that player, historically and AM and FM radio stations in the By Wilson Thomas announcements of how AI is being in real time. country. used for Audience measurement, Audience engagement, content Even if Watson isn’t tracking your AI in content consumption planning and network management, every cheer and grimace at the Chinese consumer tech giant Content consumption and delivery. championships, it will be digesting Xiaomi claimed its Mi TV 3S millions of conversations on social sets as the world’s first AI TV. f you are tech savvy, can write codes in many programming AI and Content Production media platforms, such as Twitter, However, details on how exactly languages especially Python, Prolog, R, JAVA, C++ and LISP On the internet, several billions of Facebook and Instagram and the AI is powered are scant. Iprogramming languages, understands data science and deep information is being transmitted every using natural language processing The application described learning, you must be salivating about the opportunities minute and your content can easily to identify common topics - not is the TV’s Mi-Brain which that’s coming with the federal government Digital Switch miss its targeted audience or your necessarily just about tennis. supports deep learning, speech Over. content may not make meaningful recognition, and computer If our content producers can overcome the danger of impact on your targeted audience This platform can analyze about vision. The ultramodern system thinking digitally and acting analogously, which is a because you didn’t understand 400 tweets a second,” says IBM’s will learn about your interests complex in itself, then they can quickly transform their needs, especially in the digital Sam Seddon. “Expand that out into and shall be able to suggest our broadcasting terrain in a few years’ time. environment. Facebook, Instagram and more you TV programs and movies Everywhere you look in this digital broadcasting long-form content, and that’s a lot based on your taste. Several environment, you will see a role for a Software Artificial Intelligence will help content of data. This platform can come brands of TV and some other Engineer or developer but I want to focus on producers produce content that’s up with insights much faster than electronic devices based on this Artificial Intelligence, Dynamic Optimization exactly what the audience needs and humans can and inform the media technology are already in the and how AI is changing how we watch TV. in time and form they need it. IBM’s team so they can decide what kind market. Watson is arguably the world’s best of content they should be offering. What is Artificial Intelligence (AI) ? known AI brand. This can be deployed If you do it right, the audience will A type of AI gaining some Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the theory and in many production environment. It gravitate towards you because you traction in the marketing development of computer systems able has been used to produce ‘cognitive’ deliver the content they need in industry is ’cognitive to perform tasks normally requiring movie trailer for the Fox science fiction a concise and timely manner. So, intelligence’ (CI) which human intelligence, such as visual film-Morgan . armed with IBM’s social media promises to track individual perception, speech recognition, analysis, the team will be able customer consumption habits. decision-making, translation IBM’s Watson was used to analyze to entice people chatting about Firms such as Piksel are using between languages etc... These 100 horror movie trailers for visuals, their own country’s performance machine learning to manage computer systems when optimized tracked emotions, eeriness, frights, in the current FIFA World Cup, the metadata generated by for a defined task can be more love scenes, tone of voice and audio say, towards Wimbledon content OTT providers to offer insight to reliable and consistent than analysis of music, then use the visual about a tennis player of the same consumer experience. humans. and audio data to select scenes for nationality. the trailer of Morgan — saving hours Conviva also targets OTT Sometimes Machine learning of time and input for human editors. AI in Content management providers and claims its (ML) is confused with Artificial AI is being given creative control While certainly the biggest, IBM platform powers a set of Intelligence (AI), but (ML) is a in everything from journalism to Watson is not the only AI game in products and solutions to run field in (AI). Machine learning advertising, slowly replacing human broadcasting. Veritone Inc pitches SVOD (Subscription Video on 12 13 Demand), AVOD (Ad-supported Over (DSO) program of the that includes the interests of the ranking algorithm. There’s even an viewers spend an average of The future oriented Set-Top-Box Video on Demand) and Pay-TV Federal Government. diverse communities that will be algorithm to track short-term trends just 60 to 90 seconds looking has integrated home assistant and businesses, providing real-time affected. to find the next cult classic. All of for something to watch. Online recommender system built with visibility, actionable intelligence and Artificial intelligence also looks these algorithms work in perfect streaming services have become Artificial Intelligence technology. industry benchmarks for running set to be used to optimize over the As adoption expands, 2018 harmony to deliver you to 1.5 hours the default for a rapidly growing It will come packaged with 4K a OTT (Over The Top) businesses top (OTT) delivery by preventing looks set to be the year when of entertainment bliss. audience, and traditional TV UHD, VoD (Video on Demand) through the lens of consumer congested links and connectivity AI applications in broadcasting The titles displayed on your home channels are now streaming online and more features expected of a experience and engagement. losses – the booming trend with are deployed at scale in screen don’t come preprogrammed. to stay relevant. AI algorithms on high-end product. the adoption of internet protocol content management, delivery, Each person’s Netflix landing is major cable networks like HBO will AI in content delivery (IP). consumption and the benefits unique, and the more you browse, likely recommend new shows in With AI, this unique product will As long ago as 2014 Netflix was become tangible. the smarter your personal Netflix the same way that Netflix connects go beyond simply controlling the said to be using AI to enhance its AI monitors the main content robot gets. Netflix’s AI uses your viewers to its library of titles, video content of your TV and movie recommendations. distribution infrastructure which We haven’t reached our promised viewing profile data to enhance granting customized entertainment present more advanced features A clearer use of AI from Netflix is its can show the status of the dystopian future just yet, but future suggestions, which helps with to a majority of viewers across all like schedule management, development of Dynamic Optimizer. information flow and whether computer scientists are closer than retention; the company estimates networks and providers. information on weather, traffic This development was revealed at it needs improvement in the they’ve ever been to realizing true that its algorithms save over $1 and full control of IoT (Internet MWC by Todd Yellin, Vice President streaming performance and the AI and the implications for your billion a year by keeping customers Human-computer interaction of Things) powered devices of Innovation at Netflix. He scalability of a broadcasting entertainment are staggering. In hooked. This kind of revenue is already redefining the DVR, throughout your home. The explained that Dynamic Optimizer, network. the brave new world of big data, generation has launched the tech the supercomputer of your language/Voice interface will help which was rolled out in late 2016, neural networks, and human- world into a veritable arms race to home entertainment system. For users communicate with their uses AI techniques to compress AI in data management computer interaction, there’s improve AI functionality, bringing example, Dish Network’s Hopper television in a way made popular codecs and optimize network data AI could be seen as a response to always something good on TV. us closer and closer to true artificial DVR is compatible with Alexa by other AI assistant services like transfers and eliminated buffering the sheer volume of data being Tech giants like Google, Facebook, intelligence. for voice recognition, letting you Amazon’s Echo or Google Home. in video streaming. generated by OTT platforms, and Amazon, and Apple push AI request your favorite episode of now traditional linear broadcasters technology further each year Transforming home Black Mirror while you’re cooking This achievement at the beginning “No one wants to be interrupted in as they adopt more IP distribution and now routinely use uploaded entertainment dinner. The next generation of seem unsurmountable, but luckily the middle of Bojack Horseman or and data driven personalized photos, social media profiles, Thanks to Siri, Google Assistant, DVRs may even leverage machine Mr. Wilson Obinna Thomas did the Stranger Things,” he said. content and services; AI is seen as and web activity as massive data Cortana, and Alexa, humans now learning to record shows based Math, wrote the algorithms and Netflix collaborated with the a way to manage the output and pools. engage with their future robot solely on your viewing preferences, codes. The prototype of the Set- University of Southern California drive personalization. overlords on a daily basis. Human- eliminating the need to search for Top-Box is ready and undergoing and the University of Nantes in The sheer volume of a company’s computer interaction is a burgeoning anything at all. proof of product tests. France to train the system, using data pool can create confusion in As The entertainment industry new frontier for the application of hundreds of viewers and hundreds the distribution and management gets smarter with AI AI, and it’s a big part of the newest Set-Top Boxes with AI and As we made these irreversible of thousands of scenes. of data which would be required Will artificial intelligence home entertainment tech. Home Assistant progress in our DSO program, By rating each scene individually on for a specific content or company transform the entertainment A local company in Nigeria-E- we urge the Federal Government a variety of quality metrics, the AI action. industry? It already has. In the ‘Stone Age’, we waited SHOPS TECHNOLOGIES has in through the Ministry of Information system learned to determine image Entertainment leaders like Netflix for DVDs to arrive in the mail development, its own high-end Set- and NBC (National Broadcasting quality. Charles Hartley, Accenture Global has tapped into these massive or trudged through the snow to Top-Box that can help deepen the Commission) to encourage local Media and Analyst Relations pools of viewer preference data to our local Blockbuster, but today’s Federal Government DSO program. Software Engineers. Netflix described the technological Manager for Communications, build algorithms that recommend advancement like this: “What we’ve Media and High-tech Businesses new viewing material and these done is invest in the codex, the video said: “There’s pretty intense algorithms leverage AI to learn encoders, so that at a half a megabit, interest in AI this year and a few what you’ll enjoy most. The you get incredible picture quality on years ago there wasn’t anyone process improves every year and a 4-inch and 5-inch screen. talking about it.” many users have no idea that the technology even exists. “Now, we’re down in some cases to Alberto Ibargüen, president of 100 kilobits and still deliver amazing the Knight Foundation, a $2bn Netflix’s algorithms are pictures and video quality. So we’re charity foundation which includes enormously complex, offering getting more and more efficient at the advancement of media in its selections based on your viewing using operators’ bandwidth.” charter, said: “Artificial intelligence history, the time of day and even agents will impact our lives in the places on your screen that The use of Dynamic Optimizer every society on Earth. Technology get clicked most frequently when has already rolled out in markets and commerce will see to that. you search for your next binge- such as Japan, Korea and India watch. When you click through where Netflix expects huge uplift Since even algorithms have the “Because You Watched” row, a in content delivery across mobile parents and those parents have video-to-video similarity algorithm networks. Nigeria need to enter values that they install in their compares everything in the Netflix this technological space as soon as algorithmic progeny, we want to library. Scrolling through specific possible; the expertise is here and influence the outcome by ensuring genres automatically ranks titles the vehicle will be Digital Switch ethical behavior and governance based on a personalized video- 14 15 Digital Disruption will change Media Consumption Pattern - Yolisa Phahle

apid advances in digital technology in Africa have created new opportunities to innovate on content Broadcasting Industry should Rdelivery, according to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of General Entertainment at MultiChoice, Yolisa Phahle. She said “digital disruption” has and will change how adopt a unified system for successful DSO people consume media products.

“As people who are invested and committed to the future iving the high cost of abound. off date was June 17, 2015, of Africa, it is our collective responsibility to play an active migration from analogue to “With some of the digital except for some countries in role in making sure our continent benefits from this Phahle is of the view that to survive and grow, Gdigital broadcasting, and the migration benefits ranging from some frequency bands where the opportunity,” she said. operators must find new ways of engaging more need for its reduction to engender an increase in the capacity of deadline is 17 June 2020. In view Phahle spoke on the first day of the fifth edition of effectively with viewers when there are more affordability of the set-top boxes, the broadcast transmission networks; of the 2020 deadline, Keerodhur the Digital Dialogue, a thought-leadership platform choices than ever. Chief Executive Officer of Mauritius which means more data can be is quick to lament the little established in 2012 and facilitated by MultiChoice. “Nowadays, no-one can say with absolutely based Broadcasting Media Solutions transmitted over the network, to technical knowledge of broadcast certainty what the future holds for any business Khiran Keerodhur has called for the provision of quality HD images, transmission networks companies It is designed to address various issues facing the video in the news or media industry. What we do know, a clear policy for countries in the more services and interactivity, in the DTT Migration Process and entertainment industry on the continent, share industry however, is that people today consume more news region based on the survey and reduction in power consumption canvasses for the adoption of the best-practice and create a better understanding of Digital and entertainment than ever and I believe this network design either by an external of transmission which in return right business model to financially Migration and its impact on Africa’s digital landscape. trend will continue. cabinet or integrator: lowers operating costs; viewers acquire the network and the will be given more choice on the repayment model. Addressing a delegation comprising of several “The delivery mechanisms will change, and in many “I believe this approach will DTT Television with more contents, international industry thought-leaders and key media ways digital is just another route to market, but immeasurably help various while terrestrial broadcasters will On the standard for digital for stakeholders from across Africa in Dubai, United Arab the producers of the most relevant and resonant broadcast transmission companies also have free-to-view and pay TV digital migration across the Emirates (UAE), Phahle said: “As a company, we are content will survive,” Phahle said. in the region to accelerate the platform to viewers”, he said. region, Keerodhur thinks Africa looking forward to investing even more in telling local MultiChoice’s vision, she said, is to be the best migration process”. Keerodhur needs to adopt a unified system stories, documenting our history and providing a platform African story teller in the world, with a promise to made the statement in the wake of Apart from clearer images, of technology for successful for Africans to share African stories. bring customers the best international stories. the just concluded 2018 edition of increased channels for contents digital switch-over: “The current the NEXTV CEO Africa Summit which and easier reception, the standard for digital migration “But today in the midst of the ongoing digital revolution – “Being able to tell the right story, at the right time held in Mauritius. The survey report availability of radio spectrum will differ country to country with each we collectively have the opportunity to not only tell stories to the right person is our absolute focus and if we and the network design is what is allow expansion of the internet- country having a task team that that educate and inform African audiences, the digital are able to leverage the technology, and become expected to determine the cost of based technology. reviews the standards and take age means we are in a position to take African stories obsessed with pleasing our customers we will the migration. Africa’s journey to full a decision that suits them best. to the world and create a global market for what we do. nullify the headwinds and use the tail winds to digital broadcasting has been long All countries across the globe are These countries already have the “By using the internet and leveraging technology, we drive exponential growth for our collective future,” and torturous. required to make a complete switch infrastructure but needs software have the ability to reach audiences at a global level the Multichoice CEO said. from analogue transmission to changes while others need to do and the success of companies like Iroko TV, artists like At technical and infrastructural digital following the International an entire network. But in terms of Davido, actresses like Lupita Nyong’o and the movie Phahle added that this year, MultiChoice is planning environment level, digital switchover Telecommunication Union (ITU) technology, all countries have to Black Panther are confirmation that the world is ready to start production on a number of epic African (DSO) came with teething challenges. agreement. A digital broadcasting respect the ITU regulations and to consume African stories, celebrate African culture and stories and use new digital platforms to create a At policy front, regulators are plan, covering 116 countries policy”. embrace African languages. stage for Africa to shine on while continuing to work facing the challenge of buy-in from (mainly in Africa and Europe), with the best African talent to tell Africa’s stories. stakeholders. With these, Keerodhur was agreed to for the frequency The NexTV CEO Africa is annual “This will take incredible focus and increasingly, as we noted that just as the continent may bands 174–230 MHz and 470–862 event that brings insights into look to the future of news and media organisations, The aim, she said, is “to deliver the incredible have dithered due to the obvious MHz at the ITU Regional Radio the latest TV, media, telecom and the conversation is focused on three words: content, economic benefits to Africa’s creative industries”. third world challenges , he is still Communication Conference in entertainment trends enabling technology and customer which we believe will continue “Let’s undertake to bring this kind of prosperity to optimistic that the region will finally Geneva in June 2006. participants to identify new to be essential for any news or media organization that our continent and aim to use digital technology to cross over, knowing that where According to this plan also known opportunities and stay ahead of wants to survive and grow in the future.” entertain and inform the world,” Phahle added. opportunities exist, challenges also as the GE06, the analogue switch- their game. 16 17 2001 and 2017, explained how Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) broadband wireless access. DIGITAL EXPERTS the environment for content and said good progress had been made channel providers evolved from in selecting and implementing Peter Barnett on his part, gave SEEK INNOVATION the early days of digital TV to the advanced and spectrum efficient a review of new developments much more complex internet- technology for terrestrial in DVB – the industry-led FOR VIDEO based distribution environment broadcasting, but mentioned, consortium of about 160 of the that is prevalent today. “significant work remains in world’s leading digital TV and ENTERTAINMENT yielding the digital dividend, with technology companies, drawn from According to him, the past used only a few SADC countries having broadcasters; telecommunications INDUSTRY to be all about a battle between cleared the dividend bands.” network operators; regulators and free TV and service providers’ manufacturers who collectively draft intent on building pay-walls and From a consumer value the satellite system standards. maintaining exclusivity over key proposition, Petrick confirmed content. Then came broadband that the digital networks offer Peter also shared an update of the as an additional service to lock better video quality and audio DVB including DVB-S2X, which in customer loyalty, followed in the interest of the consumers, offers Extended SNR (C/N) range, by mobile. “The old walls of although most deployments are finer granularity from additional traditional pay TV are now Standard Definition (SD) instead of MODCODs, additional roll-off tumbling down and what’s High Definition (HD). “There is still values and channel bonding all coming next is infinitely more potential for more services to be of which will be available in early fragmented, and messy.” accommodated for the networks 2019. He also mentioned DVB-SIS that are currently on-air,” he said. – Single Illumination System- a cost He reasoned that telecoms efficient delivery of DVB broadcasts providers compete with content OnInternational onto IP networks that will use one platforms to build customer Telecommunication Union (ITU) transponder to feed both terrestrial Futurist and innovation Expert, Papadimitriou loyalty with original content and transition to digital broadcasting transmitters and DTH receivers. rights in a world where global Michele Coat stated that ITU takeholders and professionals with us. Technology affects us, What the acceleration of digital competition is intensifying facilitated the planning of the The new offering was originally in the digital space converged our behaviours, how we transact, technology actually means is the traditional competitive boundaries migration to digital and the co- developed for satellite; however, Sat the fifth edition of the digital communicate ideas, gather ideas, acceleration of better experiences yet further. “The question remains ordinating spectrum requirements. it can also handle terrestrial and dialogue conference in Dubai love, and consider the world. To with tools that make our lives whether consumers will be able This included a follow-up to cable formats. Also, in the new recently, insisting that the future of prosper in a world that moves and better. As such, behavioural data to navigate between so many the Geneva 2006 (GE-06) development pipeline is DVB-I video entertainment industry lies in change so fast, we need to get is the differentiator allowing an different providers to find the conference to plan the digitisation (terms of reference approved in Feb countries that are ready to innovate back to our basics; the fire around experience of choice; whether it’s best content in this more crowded of broadcasting and associated 2018), which is set to provide a user and also harness opportunities for which we gather and tell stories.” faster automation, faster insights, forest of choice,” he stated. frequency use for 119 countries perception of a linear TV channel, content exploration among African faster networks, faster reality or in Europe, Africa, Middle East, discovered and consumed over the audiences. He said the current challenge for faster intelligence. He rounded off by stating that Central Asia. open internet. Further developments pay-TV companies is to shift the although the future is uncertain: in this space include updates on The event addressed issues relating focus from content delivery systems “It is critical for companies to “The African continent, with its She confirmed that the remainder RCS2 (Return Channel on Satellite); to transition to digital terrestrial to understanding its consumers understand the new consumption young population and progressive of the UHF band (470-694 MHz) is satellite beam hopping; low latency television broadcasting in Africa, through primary data such as, behaviours and mindsets of use of mobile, can both build on earmarked for broadcasting for the IP delivery, updates on simulcrypt ranging from international when, how and the duration consumers. The new consumer and leapfrog Western markets in foreseeable future whilst the digital headend, emergency warning coordination, standardisation, content is consumed. is nomadic- being everywhere terms of future models of content dividend (694-862 MHz) bands system, targeted advertising and regulation, harmonisation and He added that the way consumers and anywhere; tribal- gathering creation and distribution”. to be released in the switchover more which are available on www. broader economics of spectrum watch TV has evolved. “With the around similarities and singular- from analogue to digital TV will dvb.org/about/process for the management and digital migration. advent of 5G, African consumers entrepreneurial, be who they The Digital Dialogue Conference play a critical role in delivering full work plan. will be able to watch TV on all want to be.” 2018 facilitated by MultiChoice In his view, Futurist and Innovation platforms simultaneously”. concluded with a panel discussion. “ Has the transition to digital been expert, Paul Papadimitriou, noted Conclusively, he said there were The expert panel consisted The African continent, a success for broadcasters? Using that the third industrial revolution Speaking extensively on the many opportunities for emerging of Gerhard Petrick, Deputy the UK’s 2005 Analogue Switchover has changed lives and businesses influence of technology on the countries, which should capitalise Chairperson of the Southern with its young population (Digital Migration) as a case study, from how learning is done to how digital space, he argued that on the window to innovate. “The African Digital Broadcasting and progressive use of Peter shared that after migrating to business transactions are done – technology not only goes faster, best innovators are like the best Association (SADIBA), Michèle mobile, can both build digital, all public service channels and how the speed of change can but becomes smarter with travellers – they’re not afraid Coat, Radio Communication in the UK became available to overwhelm, distract and excite in increased processing power, like of unknown territories. They Engineer at the International on and leapfrog Western all viewers with more than 20 equal measure. how WhatsApp has overtaken the understand who they are and the Telecommunication Union (ITU), markets in terms of other new channels created. The entire SMS industry in five years, journeys they are on. They just do Peter Barnet, Chair of CM-WiB future models of content government cost-benefit analysis (in According to him, “what separates as well as, shared platforms and it. Let’s jump”. at Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) 2005) of these migrations revealed us as humankind is the fact that we networks connecting people. David Abraham of Wonderhood and Greg Bensbert, MBE, General creation and distribution a net benefit of around £2bn to the create tools and stories; the tools “The end-user experience is Studios, who ran TV channels Manager of Digital 3&4 at ITV. ” UK. (technology) have always been becoming the key differentiator. in the UK and the US between Gerhard Petrick, who spoke on 18 19 Cross-section of Paytv Companies in Nigeria Competition for this category of content is as fierce (DTH) or direct broadcasting satellite (DBS) system: and bruising as a prize fight, which naturally drives the programming source, broadcast centre, satellite, up the cost of acquisition. The subsisting broadcast satellite dish and the receiver. The broadcast centre is rights to the Premier League, which lapses next year, the central hub of the system. At the broadcast centre, cost UK’s Sky and BT a staggering £5 billion. This the pay-television company receives signals from amounts to a 70 per cent increase over what was various programming sources and beams broadcast paid the last time. signal to geostationary satellites, which receive the signals from the broadcast station and rebroadcast Even for content produced locally, costs are not them to Earth for the subscriber’s dish to pick up and static, as producers are not insulated from local and pass on to the receiver. international economic indices, which impose upward cost reviews when new content agreements are Signal transmission to satellites is done by multiplex being entered into. Just as with foreign content, local operators or satellite operators, which provide uplink content is denominated in dollars, the international services. Satellite television broadcast begins with currency of doing business, because most pay- a transmitting antenna at an uplink facility. The television platforms operate across borders. Some uplinked signals are then transmitted to be received pay-television companies, such as DStv, are known by transponders tuned to a specific frequency range, NIGERIA to develop sports and entertainment content, which which, in turn, retransmit the signals back to Earth at a costs astronomical sums. different frequency. The signal path to from the satellite to the receiving Earth station is known as downlink. As with everything in life, profile almost always By Edwin C. Nnadozie determines what you get. Thus, a small-time content Many satellites used by pay-television companies are owner is very unlikely to attract a sizeable affiliate fee in Europe. MultiChoice Africa, for example, sends its lmost every pay-television business works. relationship and make their for its content. But the behemoths such as Sky Sports, programming packages to a satellite in Europe. subscriber I run into attempts, money from rent on the delivery of Viacom or Disney are well placed to negotiate and Satellites, as should be obvious, cost hundreds of Anot often successfully, to Before proceeding, it is important content, pricing power belongs to attract much fatter sums per subscriber per month millions of dollars to build and launch. They cost speak withAND authority PAY-TELEVISIONon how pay- to state that there is no intention BUSINESS the content owners. because they offer compelling content, without similarly huge amounts to maintain, so the business television business works. Pay- to slate anybody for not being which any pay-television package marketed stands of working with satellites is an obscenely expensive television operations and business familiar with the business of pay- Most often, content owners, at a debilitating disadvantage. one. Who bears the costs? Pay-television companies. tend to be put in the same category television. It is no civic obligation, often large companies, charge Exclusively. as sex in which everybody thinks after all. Having assumptions is affiliate fees, their primary source Pay-television service providers remain in business he/she is knowledgeable, an expert part of our make-up as humans. of revenue, for funding content because subscribers want access to popular content The pay-television business landscape may have the even. Some assumptions, of course, are production. Affiliate fees are such as the Premier League, Spanish La Liga, appearance of unfettered munificence, it is, however, reasonably well-founded, others, carriage fees paid per month documentaries, movies or kids’ entertainment. a field where staggering sums are required just to The widely assumed familiarity with not so much. per subscriber by pay-television The bid to remain in business leaves them at the stay afloat. In a country like Nigeria, where the cost the pay-television ecosystem feeds companies or multi-channel mercy of content owners who, on account of the hot of doing business is enormous on account of deficit in the almost-religious belief that pay- First and very crucially, it is video programming distributors to properties they own, could keep charging higher infrastructure, a pay-television company’s operating television services should be cheap important to understand that pay- content owners. While the affiliate sums as affiliate fees. Pay-television companies costs are better imagined. Providing an alternative and that providers are ripping television companies usually do model benefits both content suffer further disadvantage when content-owning source of power alone has been known to run subscribers off. Even without actually not own the enchanting content owners and vendors (the former giants decide (and it is often) to band channels businesses out of the country. saying it, I suspect, many subscribers they broadcast. They are often is able to extend its reach and together and compel them to pay affiliate fees for believe that pay-television services just vendors or brokers for content generate new sales, the vendor all their channels whether popular or not. This often There are equally costs of additional investments such should be treated like public utilities creators and owners. Content or affiliate makes commissions), results in dispute between both parties. Also, this as providing facilities, including building production in the country, amenities we think creators and owners sell to pay- the senior partner, by miles, is the practice inevitably causes subscription price hikes studios. Add that to the cost of developing new content, should be used free of charge but television companies for re-sale to content owner. and subscriber displeasure, which pay-television for operators that do (MultiChoice is an example) and expect to function optimally. Having the latter’s respective subscribers. companies have to deal with exclusively. watch the costs further balloon and make investment worked in the television industry There can be no prizes for guessing Premium content, including live costs really high. Personnel costs do not have a for over a decade, I can, at the risk which party is the dominant one coverage of iconic sports events and Another plank of the business is the cost of reputation for reducing. The pay-television industry is of sounding conceited, claim to in the pay-television ecosystem. recent Hollywood movie releases, satellites used for transmission. There are five just not where things go very swimmingly as widely know a thing or two about how the While providers own the customer determines where subscribers go. major components involved in direct-to-home assumed. 20 21 NOLLYWOOD ACTOR SIGNS PRODUCTION DEAL WITH STARTIMES

NIGERIA HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO HOST ‘BLACK PANTHER’ BECOMES #BBNAIJA eteran Nollywood actor, filmmaker, and THIRD-HIGHEST GROSSING FILM EVER director, Adebayo Salami, popularly called MIPCOM: October 13-16, 2018. Cannes, France. V“Oga Bello,” has signed a production deal AFRICAST: October 23-25, 2018. Abuja Nigeria. with pay TV company, StarTimes. DISCOP: October 25-27, 2018. Jo’burg, South Africa. According to report, the deal which is yet to be AFRICACOM: November. Cape Town, South Africa. made public is believed to be a juicy one worth millions of naira and it will see the veteran actor produce a 26-episode series in the Yoruba language exclusively for StarTimes Nigeria. According to sources, shooting of the series titled dding another feather to its cap, ‘Black ‘Alagbara’ has already commenced in Ibadan Panther’ has now moved ahead of ‘Titanic’ in with some big names in the movie industry listed Athe list of all-time highest grossing movies. in the cast. The film with a predominant black cast is now the Alagbara, according to Oga Bello focuses on some third-highest grosser in North American history. issues concerning families and how effective the The top two spots are occupied by ‘Star Wars: The women in these families are. Force Awakens’ and ‘Avatar’ respectively. Marvel’s maiden standalone black superhero film he executive Director, National Film and Video has made $665 million till now and thus, has crossed Censors Board, Adedayo Thomas, has said that the lifetime collection of ‘Titanic’ which stood at $659 Tthe next edition of Big Brother Naija should be million. hosted in Nigeria. The movie garnered rave reviews from critics who DSTV MULLS PAY-AS-YOU-CONSUME hailed it as one of the best Marvel movies which OPTION He expressed his displeasure at the show being hosted poignantly portrays Africa. ‘Black Panther’ even in South Africa, stating that if MTN, a South African received a rare 100% rating from review aggregator Multichoice Nigeria, operators of DStv said it may Rotten Tomatoes. It narrates the story of a fictional, company can thrive in Nigeria, so can BBNaija. consider the so-called Pay-As-You-Consume payment technologically advanced African nation (Wakanda), “MTN has been surviving in this country, then I don’t SA ON PATH TO DIGITAL RADIO option in the future if its business model and available whose newly crowned king T’Challa faces trouble outh Africa is making new moves to technology would enable it. The proposed pay-as- think anybody has an excuse for not hosting BBNaija in from within. Nigeria. They are making a lot of money from Nigerians implement Digital Sound Broadcasting (DSB) you-consume pricing scheme, would charge users here, so, we want them to host it here.” Sservices, or digital radio. This is after telecoms according to their effective resource consumption “If it is Big Brother Africa, they can host that anywhere; KENYA: COMMUNICATION regulator, the Independent Communications excluding interference. but the one for Nigeria should be hosted in Nigeria,” AUTHORITY LAUNCHES KUZA Authority of South Africa (ICASA), published a John Ugbe, managing director of Multichoice he said. AWARDS 2018 discussion document on the subject, giving the Nigeria, who spoke on the side-lines of the ongoing Communication Authority of Kenya has launched the public until early June to comment. Digital Dialogue in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, “Nigeria has what it takes to host the show; after all, second inaugural awards, dubbed, KUZA 2018, which “Digital Broadcasting Service is an audio said that “pay-as-you-consume is something we there are many multinational/telecommunication recognizes and celebrates the milestones achieved broadcasting technology aimed at providing may consider, if it is technologically possible and the by television and radio broadcasters.The awards are companies hitherto operating hitch-free in the country.” superior quality sound broadcasting service using business model supports it, we will” aimed at encouraging the broadcasters to embrace Thomas also spoke about the constant criticism of the digital communication technology,” ICASA said in He said that the company currently allows subscribers the standards set in the Code assessments, including a media statement. to suspend their subscriptions twice a year in case show by Nigerians, who consider it immoral. airing of local content. The regulator said it differs from traditional they are out of Africa. The KUZA Awards further seeks to identify and “Parents can always block the watching of some analogue broadcasting service in that digital It would be recalled that most pay TV providers, had reward broadcasters who have demonstrated consistently argued that the model was not possible scenes within a particular period or in totality. It is not excellence in their services, as well as in compliance signals can be transmitted successfully at lower government’s responsibility to assume the parental transmitter power. Digital radio should not be to implement in Nigeria on the grounds that they with the Programming Code for Free-to-Air radio bought the contents they relay as a whole and not roles of moral upbringing of children in their homes,’’ and television broadcasting services. confused with Internet radio, which is often in bits. If DStv goes ahead with the plan, they will he said. Big Brother Nigeria made its debut in 2006 This year’s awards will however have an added streamed online. The discussion document, replicate the revolutionary feat Globacom made in and was shot in Lagos Nigeria. 10 years later, the category of people’s choice, where listeners and however, said the digital signal delivery system the telecoms industry through the introduction of per reality show returned as Big Brother Naija, and was consumers will be able to vote for their favourite is capable of delivering sound and data in all its shot in South Africa. broadcasting programmes and stations. forms. second billing (PSB). 22 23 StarTimes joins Pay Tv market in Ethiopia he Chinese multinational with StarTimes and the tiresome Federation,” states Biruk. “But we still company, StarTimes, has eventualities of having to familiarize have the desire to get involved.” Tformally launched direct paid them with Ethiopia’s media laws and BridgeTech recorded high broadcast satellite service in Ethiopia, training of staffs and support teams. subscription sales on the first day of making it the other player in the The pay-Tv market is untapped in the 2018 World Cup held in Russia. market besides DStv. Ethiopia.” Over 100 consumers have continued to visit their offices every day since Bridgetech Broadcasting & Media Plc, Star Times, which has a firm market then, according to Mekdes Mekonen, the local exclusive agent of StarTimes, presence in Africa, had been in a Marketing Manager at Bridgetech. started selling subscriptions to discussion with the Ethiopian Football customers recently. The company is Federation back in June 2017 after a “The World Cup is an excellent based in Beijing and was established meeting held in Ghana. However, the time to begin selling subscription in 1988, but Bridgetech obtained Chinese company failed to submit packages”, claims Biruk. Bridgetech a license from the Ethiopian details of its proposal and gave no offers “smart” and “super” packages, Broadcasting Authority (EBA) two response about its plans, according ranging from 60 dollars to 70 years ago. to Essayas Tafesse, marketing dollars for three-month subscription director at the Federation. rates. After the initial three months, The General Manager of Bridgetech, the packages will diversify into Whats New? Biruk Gebru, declared, “We have had “We, StarTimes and Bridgetech, had categories for kids, television shows to go through a process of discussions a hard time communicating with the and movies, and news networks. Debuts on BBC “What’s New?” an exciting weekly news during the week through the and what they enjoy doing. TV programme by the BBC for use of graphics and films. The programme will be anchored young people in Africa launched by Debula Kemoli and Ben Hunte on 23rd June. Aimed at 11-16-year THE BIG INTERVIEW: which will who will be expected to bring their olds the show is an informative, feature a weekly interview with infectious style to What’s New? FOX NETWORKS entertaining and fun programme a celebrity - or someone who is which will keep young people up to making the news in Africa. This will Ben Hunte who says he has wanted to PLANS FOR AFRICA date with what’s happening in the include musicians, artists, authors be a BBC presenter since he started world they live in. and many others. And watching TV is delighted to be finally ew FOX Networks Group Casino and Entertainment Kingdom. living his dream. “There are many Africa VP, Evert van der This will be followed with the one This regular series will explore MY STORY: a platform that will give stories young people want to share, I NVeer hasn’t spent a lot of scheduled to take place on 20 July topics that children are talking young people a chance to tell their can’t wait to tell them all.” He says. time at his desk since arriving five 2018 at Carnival City. about. It will get groups of young own stories about their lives, school weeks ago, in a move that he calls people talking to each other, The programme will be presented a “no-brainer”. Another sport property held by FOX focusing on areas that they might “ from an immersive virtual studio Africa is the West Africa Football Cup find hard to discuss with adults. What’s New? is for where stories will be brought to life His most recent trip saw him head of Nations. The inaugural tournament in a fun and engaging way using the to Swaziland for a FOX Africa was held in Ghana in 2017 and Nisha Kapur, BBC Commissioning and about young latest VR technology. boxing tournament in which six attracted 180 million viewers as the Editor, while speaking on the African fighters competed. coverage was also opened up to the project said: “What’s New? is for people across “What’s New?” hopes to engage local free-to-air broadcasters. The and about young people across Africa. It gives them younger viewers with events in Africa Since launching its boxing offering next two tournaments are scheduled Africa. It gives them the chance to and the wider world, through specially in February 2017, the content and for 2019 in Senegal and 2021 in find out more about the world in a the chance to find commissioned features, such as Fake coverage has grown immensely. Nigeria. fresh and energetic way. “ news and Reality Check for Kids, Over the course of the year, 12 What’s New? will include three out more about the aimed at helping them distinguish WBA Pan-African champions The group is concentrating on regular segments each week: between trustworthy news stories were crowned at FOX Sports growing and marketing these two world in a fresh and and sources, and fake content being Africa boxing events in Kenya sports, not wanting to overload itself BEHIND THE HEADLINES: which energetic way. shared online. It will also help expose and Botswana. The next event by bringing in further ones, for the will explore and fully explain a story misleading facts and figures which Fox Networks VP, Evert van der Veer held on 27 June 2018 at Sibaya moment. which has featured regularly in the “ distort the reporting of a story. 24 25 television transmission with a and its benefits in providing deadline of June 17, 2015 for the “ better broadcast services and new complete switchover. Since inception the revenue streams to the general Ahead of this deadline, the Federal populace. The conference featured Government of Nigeria earlier programme has 14 papers presentations under five set the end of 2012 as switchover attracted the ‘who plenary sessions with the following deadline for all broadcast stations sub-themes: in the country. This Global effort is who’ in African 1) Crossing the Digitization to transit from analogue to Digital broadcasting to Bridges; Broadcasting has been a project 2) DSO: Broadcasters Roundtable; of serious concern to the National Nigeria and over 3) Content Productions and Broadcasting Commission (NBC). Sourcing; Indeed it was in line with the desire the years, put the 4) Rights Issues and Content of government for compliance; the country on the global Management in a Digital Era; tone for Africast 2012 was set. 5) More on Quality Content and broadcasting map with the Audience: Imperatives of The theme for the 2012 edition of its attendant benefits. the Digital Era. Africast was: “Content Rules”. It was, primarily, geared towards the The array of seasoned panellists and generation of ideas, productions Security- The solution” for wireless presenters provoked discussions and distributions of compelling Market”; Gerard Amenger Igyor, on the challenges of the DSO contents for an emerging digital a regular since the inception of project and the level of stakeholder terrestrial television ecosystem. It Africast, gave an exploratory involvement, explored the value acknowledged that it is content, presentation on, “Digital Broadcast placed on content production and not technology that will drive the Content: Paradigm Shift In African the challenges of financing and widespread adoption of digital Radio content Regulation”. The then distributing compelling content. television services. Plateau state Commissioner for INVOKING DEBATES, UNITING STAKEHOLDERS Information and Communication, In his keynote address the Director By Ekanem Antia A record 317 delegates from Barr. (Mrs.) Olivia Dazyam, gave an General of the NBC, Mallam Is’haq he National Broadcasting imperatives of Africa. changed, taking into cognisance the South Africa, South Korea, United overview of, “The Jos Digital Switch Modibbo Kawu, likened AFRICAST Commission, NBC, was Since inception the programme fact that we live in a competitive world Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Over Pilot Project”. 18 papers, in to international conferences Testablished on the 24th of has attracted the ‘who is who’ in driven by the forces of liberation, USA, France, Italy, Botswana, all, were presented at this event. like the National Association of August, 1992; with the primary African broadcasting to Nigeria globalisation and technology. The Cameroun and India made it to the Broadcasters (NAB) in the USA, mandate to initiate and promote and over the years, put the country theme for Africast 2000 was “Africa 2012 edition with participants from The theme for the 2016 edition the International Broadcasters private ownership of broadcasting on the global broadcasting map in the World Broadcasting, The international organizations also in of Africast was “Digital Terrestrial Conference (IBC) in the Netherlands in Nigeria; after almost sixty years with its attendant benefits. It is Millennium Challenge”. attendance. Broadcasting: The Imperatives and MIPCOM in France. According of government sole ownership of Africa’s investment platform for Nineteen papers were presented of Financing Quality Content.” It to him AFRICAST has grown like the industry. broadcast content and technology; during the three-day conference At the conference, the stakeholders focused on the overall benefits of a mustard seed, over the years, giving networking opportunities with lead discussions by broadcast agreed that content is key to the digital switch over (DSO) to to become the giant oak on the In line with the primary mandate for broadcasters and those in the and communication professionals. the success and development of the broadcast industry, and African soil of African broadcasting; a to initiate and promote private broadcast business; exhibition of broadcasting in Africa, especially nations at large. choice destination for regulators, ownership of broadcasting in the latest in broadcast hardware Highpoints of the presentations in the migration from analogue communicators and policy makers, Nigeria, the National Broadcasting and systems; plenaries on relevant were papers by Taiwo Alimi, to digital terrestrial broadcasting It explored and proffered solutions broadcast programme producers Commission NBC amongst other and topic issues; master classes “Exporting African Cultures through era. They, however, recognized the that would enable African and equipment manufacturers and initiatives, instituted the NBC’s for cutting-edge advantage; and Broadcasting”; “Towards a 21st potency of digital technology in Broadcasters finance and produce vendors, and a stage where African flagship programme ‘AFRICAST’ handing participants the key to the Century Broadcasting System for creating opportunities, more power quality content in the digital era. broadcasters converge to engage - a biennial conference of African emerging African market in the Africa,” by Olu Lafe; “Broadcasting in and challenges for content creators the rest of the world. He expressed broadcasters. This programme broadcast sector. the Age of Global Communication: and the entire broadcast industry. A total of One Thousand One hope that AFRICAST 2016 will organised by the Commission Challenges of Programming Hundred and Eighty One (1,181) unleash the creative talents of since 1996 with the intention Started 14 years ago, the first seven And Audience Segmentation In the year 2014 the theme participants from Africa, America, our youth in the emerging digital of providing a platform for the editions focused, to some extent, (in the context of strategies for for Africast , “Digital Broadcast Europe and Asia attended the ecosystem where the nation’s 70% analysis and review of Africa’s on regulating and entrenching making African Broadcasting Self- Content: Production, sourcing & conference which brought together local content philosophy could be broadcast perspectives in relations programme ideas that promoted Sustaining)”, by Charles Okigbo; Technology,” was more challenging many broadcast content producers, achieved. to the International best practices excellence and high operational and “Programming Financing”, by and more business oriented. equipment Manufacturers and and standards, is an international standards in a deregulated Guaranty Trust Bank Plc., amongst Famous movie maker and content Marketers. It also featured a Master Certainly, AFRICAST is Africa’s event of Africa Broadcasters. It broadcast industry. In addition, others. producer Don Pedro Obaseki Class on the latest technical trends Investment Platform for Broadcast was conceived as a forum for was the development of human gave a presentation on, “IPTV in in the industry. Content Technology. As the examining the challenges posed to resources and capacity building The International Telecommunication Nigeria, Prospects and challenges: Commission prepares for AFRICAST broadcasting by the multifaceted within African broadcasting. Union (ITU), in 2002, resolved The ACC Story”; Deir Bjornal, VP, This edition drew attention to the 2018, the NBC looks back with socio-economic, political, cultural, that every country should transit International Strategy, Verimatrix, larger implication of the roll out some feeling of accomplishment, technological and developmental By the turn of the century, the focus from analogue to digital terrestrial delivered a paper on, “Cardless of digital terrestrial broadcasting and forward with hope. 26 27 KADUNALIST OF FREETV DSO LAUNCH RETAIL OUTLETS NATIONWIDE PLATEAU CEE KARLSON INT’L road E-SHOPS LIMITED Market, Angwa pam, Adjacent 08180640191 ARISON ELECTRONICS Suite 220 Zone 3 Shopping Complex 2/2 kubwa abuja Virginia Pavillion Plaza, FHA junction First Bank Kaduna HAMAZ VENTURE No. 69 Masalaci Street Wuse, Abuja 08033725339 Kubwa, Abuja DESUMMER VENTURES New Yidi Road, Irewolede, Behind 08033905541 08033161138, 08033542978 EBRU TV AFRICA 09078872000 80 Kachia road by charity bus stop Kings and Queens Primary School EKEMEZIE COMMUNICATIONS DIGITAL HOME Aguiyi Ironsi St. Maitama, Abuja LRI ATLANTIC LIMITED Sabo tasha, Kaduna. Kaduna state Ilorin, Kwara State 7&8 Favour Plaza, Dadin-Kowa, Suite 5, dogo daji street, by 1st 08095644036 Beside Skye Bank, Lugbe, Abuja 08059996559 08063937999 Bukuru-Jos ECWA church, Kubwa Village FIAYO GLOBAL RESOURCES LTD 08160809955 KOFADE LIMITED Abuja Suite 301 Ansar Plaza, Mpape, Abuja DRAGNET DISTRIBUTION Behind Royal Eatery, GRA, Ilorin, 08033491724 OSHOGBO EMECO COMMUNICATIONS 08023151644 08139321556 SERVICES Kwara State Office #1 LPN shopping complex, KRISTAL ELECTRONICS LTD JUBETT NIG LTD Besides Mr.Biggs Mararaba Abuja FIAYO GLOBAL RESOURCES 08035266970 Yakubu Gowon way Shop STB 344 Utako Ultra-modern Complex-2,Efab Shopping Complex, 09025744658 1 Akindeko Street Alekuwodo OMOLUABI SAT 08033491724 market, Abuja Area 11,Garki Abuja. ALPHA BROTHERS Market Oshogbo. Shop 4 Lakele Central Market EMMACO SYSTEM INT’L GLOBAL 0803595214, 08029598017 08033333168 Shop 6, Godson Plaza, Demonstration 07012624599, 07057678486 Oro, Kwara State No. 1 Lcn Sopping Complex, Old MAK-TRENDS NIG LTD PLANET DIGITAL Road, Gwagwalada, Abuja OGA ADE COMMUNICATIONS 08060170148 Airport Road Shop 3,Shopping Complex Area1, Suite 5, Ekwa Shopping Centre, New ALPHA BROTHERS Opposite Olobu Market Idire FIAYO GLOBAL RESOURCES 08069429442 Garki, Abuja Maitama, Kubwa, Abuja Block B3, Shop 6, New Extension, Iluboc Oshogbo 9 University Road Amazing Grace PYRAMID ELECTRONICS 08077913010, 08033112551 08093151644 Wuse Market, Abuja 08060083975, 07034798686 Plaza, Ilorin, Kwara State No 2B Miango Road, Kufango NEWLAND TECHNOLOGIES LTD AD & M SUITE ALPHA BROTHERS OLAWUWO & SONS 09039904618, 08139321556 08035896830 Rabaj Plaza Area 3 Junction, Abuja 15C, Zone 3, Shopping complex, Abuja Shop 2, Diamond Plaza, Opp. Woman Beside PHCN office Eko Eriade FIAYO GLOBAL RESOURCES PEOPLES SUPERMARKET 08065424240,080764988310 08033145416 Boku junction, Kubwa, Abuja Junction Ikirun 27 Oko Erin Road Ilorin, Kwara No 9 Solomon Lar Way SAMBRIX INT’L LTD ME & J LTD ALPHA BROTHERS 07064753191 State 08039594358 Suit 1b, Total filling station shopping Ukegue Plaza, Abuja Shop 9 & 18, Khadijat Plaza, Moroco OLAWUWO & SONS 08139321556 JUSTSOM GROUP mall, 08051271682 road, opp. Adama Plaza Suleja. Beside Kabello Filling Station Sasa KOFOADE No B11 Jos Road, Opposite Diamond Zone4, Wuse, Abuja AZAREEL GLOBAL LINK LTD ALPHA BROTHERS Area Oshogbo No1 Niger road, Ilorin, Bank 08037882708 Suite 205, NCWS Building, Area11, Brothers Plaza, Mararaba, Abuja 07064753191 Kwara state 08069692090 SCORE TECH Garki, Abuja ALPHA BROTHERS PLEASANT RESOURCES IDERASERVICES NIG LTD Shop 1, Zone3 shopping complex 08056105050 Tend Plaza, After jikwoyi park, Nyanya 1 onala Street,Luciano Hotel Wuse Abuja JOGUN VENTURES Abuja Junction oke omiru off oshogbo No 1 Kashim Ibrahim Street jos ENUGU 08035955244 08033141884, 08020951155 STC 007, Eda Plaza, Jabi, Abuja road Ilesha, Osun state. HAMAZ COMMUNICATIONS ANNAI LTD 08065634496 07035133401 GRACE POINT NETWORKS No. 22 Ahmadu Bello Way 12 Gnassingbe Eyedema Crescent PENNYWISE DIGITAL ACC WORLD KADUNA TRACKSAT 61A Nike Ogui Road, Abakpa 08037020704 Asokoro, Abuja Suite K02 Zone 3, Wuse Shopping COMMUNICATIONS Nike, Enugu. HABOK COMMUNICATIONS LTD 08023183307 Complex, Abuja FIAYO GLOBAL RESOURCES Ifesonwonpo Area, Agunbelewo 08053480877 Shop F & H God is majesty 65, CHALLYDOZ VENTURES 08037882708 Shop 60 & 73 Ahmadu Bello Way, Behind Onward Hospital, MULTIMESH LIMITED Massalaci Jumah Road, Jos. Shop B52 Banex Plaza Vina, First CN KAIRO LTD Gombe Street opp. FCMB, Kaduna Oshogbo Love FM Station Complex, Milikin 0807808007, 08034494407 Bank Wing, Aminu Kano Crescent Sherrif Complex, Wuse, Abuja 08139321556 TEMITOPE GLOBAL Hill Ngwo, Enugu TYMAG COMMUNICATIONS Wuse2, Abuja 08037879323 FIAYO GLOBAL RESOURCES INVESTMENT 08036700999 Opposite JUTH, 2 Murtala Mohammed 08034726875 PRIME NETWORK 6 MC JeWel Plaza Kaduna Beside Oduoye Shopping Complex SEASONS COMPUTERS way Jos RICHWORD ELECTRONICS Area 11, Garki, Abuja 08180589131 Station Road Ikirun, Osun 188 Ogui Road, By Artisan traffic Suite A16 by Bluetooth Link Stores 07058333644 FIAYO GLOBAL RESOURCES State Light, beside Cekon Oil, Enugu EMAB Plaza, Aminu Kano Crescent MAY & JAY 94 kachia road, last bus stop, TEMITOPE GLOBAL 08025935118 ABUJA Wuse2, Abuja Rabaj Plaza Area 3 Junction Abuja Sabo market Kaduna INVESTMENT SAMUEL OLOWU RETAILS AUTOMATED DIAGNOSTIC & 08033162067 08065424240, 080764988310 08180589131 125 Station Road Enugu MICROS BROADTECH COMMUNICATIONS GISTME COMMUNICATIONS LTD FRUITFUL VINES LIMITED Opposite Ifelodun Local 07051222021 Suite 15c Wuse Shopping Complex, 06 Aminu Kano Crescent, Banex 10 Vanern Crescent, Maitama, Abuja Matz Plaza 2,Kachia road opposite Government Secretariat, Ikirun, KOFOADE Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Plaza Abuja 08023192017 stadium roundabout, Kaduna Osun State Suite 16 Stadium Complex, ogui 08033145416 08077913010, 08035861626 JUMATEX SYSTEM LTD 08033973719 Road, Enugu AAITO OIL & GAS LTD FELICITY COMMUNICATIONS Plot C45, Sabo, Maitama, Abuja DELROY LIMITED E-SHOPS LIMITED 107, Zone 7, Duste Alhaji, FCT, Abuja Airwaves Hotel, Duban Street 08034500019 10 PTF Road,Hanyan Banki, ILORIN CLEMIKY Afor Market Ugwuaji, 08030522330 Wuse2, Abuja FOCUS TELECOMMS LTD Kawo, Kaduna Awkunanaw, Enugu. DEJISAMOYE COMM ENT 0808896220 Wuse Zone 5, Abuja 08025307376 LIBERTY ELECTRONICS 07038031989, 07036765163 Shop t4 Electronic Plaza Jabi Abuja GOD’S GLORY IMPEX LTD 08037871396 E-SHOPS LIMITED 68 Ibrahim Taiwo road Ilorin, 3G COMMUNICATIONS 08036555412 Shop no 9, k.city plaza ,Wuse2, ABG COMMUNICATIONS Y.A AhmedHouse, Ahmadu Bello Kwara State 5 Ogbete Main Market, Enugu HIGHWAY NETWORK Abuja ABG House 89 Adetokunbo Ademola Way Kaduna 08036663412 08140515972 Shop 1-3, Abuja shopping complex, 08033174377 Street, Wuse2, Abuja 09078872000, 07087771657 T1 CD LIMITED 3G COMMUNICATIONS Area 3, Garki, Abuja A.A. KATEXCO INVESTMENT MULTIMESH NIG. LTD KOFOADE Unity Road Roundabout opposite 160, Ogui Road, Enugu 08058405000 No 4 Sultan Dasuki way by Cupid Love FM Complex Mpape, Abuja 92 Kachia Road, Sabo, Opp. Sabo UBA, Ilorin, Kwara State 08140515972 28 29 TOP 5 CHANNELS SURVEY APRIL - JULY 2018 he coverage of FreeTV is coverage to six states; the Federal that respondents aged 15-22 getting better and reaching a Capital Territory, maintained its accounted for 2.7 percent of Twider audience. Interestingly, leadership position with 40.5 per this survey while ages 23-40 based on a survey conducted cent of responses. Kaduna which accounted for 73 percent of the between April and July, 2018, went digital in December 2017 report. Futhermore, respondents Channels Television emerged tops came ahead of Plateau and Ilorin aged 41-60 accounted for 18.9 with TVC NEWS coming second and having scored 18.9 percent in the percent while The audience Nolly Africa third. report. measurement captured 5.4 percent of respondents aged 61 FreeTV, having extended its total The reports futher indicates and above.

FEEDBACK FROM FREETV CUSTOMERS . You should upgrade your services and also connect to CNN, BBC and other international channels. .Improve on your signal and add more channels especially cartoons channels so that our children can also benefit from the sevice.

.Use boosters for wider coverage. .Stop showing old movies on AMN and Nolly Africa channel. .We need latest Nigerian movies and cartoon channels for our kids.

.Wazobia TV has the wazobia FM interfering and overshadowing the Tv station; so what one hears is Wazobia FM on tv with WAZOBIA TV showing.

.Increase your channels to include foreign news channel. .I want to be able to watch more content like American action films , cartoons for kids, yoruba movies, Indian movies, CNN, BBC, and more local channels should be added. Even if it will attract a litte subscription.

.Please add educating content some documentary and soul lifting music to your channels.

.Improve your services to get to remote areas and add more channels like cartoons for children.

.The network strength is so weak in Zaria. .Make recharge available on payment platforms such as Quickteller.

.Make the subscription renewal process easy, add more international and local channels, especially sports and action films. So far, you are doing good God bless.

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