Broadcasting
MultiChoice Converges Futuristic Technologies at Command Centre
MultiChoice Africa proves its mettle by taking up cutting-edge technologies in digital broadcasting converged in its Command Centre, which enable the company beam clear signals to subscribers around Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Command Centre is the heartbeat of MultiChoice’s African operations, constantly monitoring the pulse of every channel on DStv and ensuring that subscribers in all the countries receive clear and uninterrupted signals. The centre’s most critical role is to ensure that things stay in sync with the complex satellite broadcasts that bring DStv channels to the continent.
Nested in the imposing MultiChoice complex located in Johannesburg, South Africa; the centre has rows upon rows of monitors simultaneously displaying all of the channels being broadcast on DStv. A massive central plasma screen can display four channels at once for closer viewing, with another six slim LCD screens flanking it. All the screens are fed from a rack of satellite decoders (more than 100 different types and models) which decipher signals, ensuring that what viewers at home see are well monitored, and down times mitigated.
In addition to these are large suspended plastic domes used to beam sound to individual operators so that they can check the sound quality of any broadcast, at the push of a button.
According to Llewellyn Pillay, manager, “the Command Centre is the centralized administration and monitoring point that ensures that MultiChoice Africa provides the best quality service to its customers. We make sure that everything goes on air as it should, and if anything goes wrong, we ensure that it gets fixed very quickly.”
The centre uses a collection of both machine and human monitors to watch video and sound quality. Any distortion or unwanted sound triggers an alert, and immediate action is enforced.
The Command Centre also monitors the Extended Electronic Programme Guide (EEPG), which is a detailed listing of every programme on all the DStv channels. For example, a movie on Movie Magic channel would have listed its start and end times, a summary of the movie’s plot, main cast and year of release.
Given the array of programming on the DStv bouquet, the EEPG helps viewers to get the most out of their subscription. The Comand Centre contributes by ensuring that the EEPG is always accurate for the programmes being broadcast at a particular time.
In addition to all these technological achievements, MultiChoice uses four different satellites to cover all of Africa alone. It was recently reported that the company reserved a space in Intelsat’s IS-20 scheduled for launch in the first quarter of 2012, which will replace the Intelsat 10 satellite and will provide services to Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
The Eutelsat W4 satellite for example, broadcasts programmes first uploaded in South Africa to be received in West and Central Africa through a satellite uplink facility in Spain. More so, the signals of the SuperSports channels face a round trip of around 70,000km to reach a subscriber in southern Africa – a distance covered in just seconds.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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