Broadcasting
Airtel’s NGT Auditions Commence Nationwide
Airtel Nigeria, at the Bolton White Hotels, Abuja, commenced the auditions for Season Two of Nigeria’s Got Talent, which will move to other major cities across Nigeria over the next three weeks.
Thousands of talented acts across different age-brackets, professions and culture will gather at different venues throughout Nigeria to showcase their skills and take a shot at the N10 million star prize.
Aside Abuja, other cities slated for the auditioning are the garden city of Port Harcourt; the Ancient city of Benin; the Coal city of Enugu; Nigeria’s first federal capital city, Calabar; Asaba in Delta State, Ibadan and Lagos.
The 2013 auditions is coming after a successful debut season in 2012 which produced hundreds of amazing talents, including the eventual winner, 8-year old Amarachi Uyanne, first runner-up,Violinist Godwin Ogechukwu, the Pebbles, Code Red and The Invincibles.
After the successful audition in Abuja, The next city to host the audition will now move to Mounty Suites in Calabar on October 12. It will then continue at Universal Hotel, Enugu and Xscape Centre, in Port Harcourt on October 17.
The Asaba auditions will hold on October 19 at Hotel Benizia before it is hosted in Benin at the Excalibur Hotel on October 21. Ibadan will follow shortly after at Genesis Suites on October 23 and the auditions will be rounded off in Lagos between October 26-27, at The Box Studio3, Omole Estate Phase One.
Emeka Oparah, director of Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, while commenting on the pan-Nigeria auditions called on talented acts across the nation to take advantage of the platform provided by Airtel Nigeria to launch themselves to the limelight.
“The stage is set for the best reality show ever known and seen in the country. It is now left to every talented act across the nation to show Nigerians and the world what they can offer. With the NGT, we are offering an uncommon and the most appropriate platform for these talented Nigerians to launch themselves to stardom. We look forward to discovering the likes of Amarachi and Godwin Strings among others in Season 2,” he said.
He also spoke about his company’s sponsorship of the franchise which he said is in line with the company’s vision of providing credible platforms that can help people achieve their dreams.
His words: “Airtel is extremely delighted to remain the lead sponsor of the Nigeria’s Got Talent show now in Season Two. Airtel’s association with this unique platform is hinged on our passion for celebrating and rewarding young, talented Nigerians. The Airtel brand is not just red, bold and jazzy but youthful, exciting, unique and a lot of fun.
“As a telecommunications company, there are no limits to ensuring that we provide Nigerians with impactful services and veritable platforms for empowerment and wealth creation as well as entertainment and fun.”
The maiden edition of the Nigeria’s Got Talent was won by 9 year-old, Amarachi Uyanne from Benin City who performed as a dancer all through the competition.
Asides from South Africa, Nigeria is the only African country to have purchased the franchise. The Got Talent franchise has produced many notable performers in the last couple of years including Diversity, Bianca Ryan and Britain’s Got Talent’s 2009 1st runner up Susan Boyle, whose debut album became the fastest selling UK debut album of all time, selling over 3 million copies in the U.S amongst others.
The franchise currently in its 9th year is one of the fastest growing international franchises, closing the gap on other successful franchises such as ‘The Weakest Link’, ‘The X Factor’ and ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ amongst others.
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has said that Nigerians will no longer pay annual Digital Access Fees under the renewed Digital Switch Over (DSO) project.
Charles Ebuebu, director-general, NBC, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja,
Ebuebu said viewers only need to purchase an approved decoder and satellite dish which cost below N20,000 to enjoy free television permanently.
“Previously, users paid an annual digital access fee of about N1,500, described as an administrative charge.
“The new system removes that annual fee. It provides free access to free-to-air television channels without any payment.
“Premium channels will be introduced later. Viewers who want those additional channels will be able to access them through paid services.
“Nigerian content on free-to-air channels remains free to watch. Unlike Pay TV, this platform does not require monthly subscriptions for its basic service,” he said
Ebuebu said approved decoders for the FreeTV will cost less than N20,000 and authorised sales outlets will soon be announced.
He urged Nigerians to wait for official information on approved dealers for the DSO decoders, warning that unauthorised sellers are exploiting growing public demand.
He reiterated that people only need a free-to-air decoder, along with a satellite dish instead of the old antenna system to receive the DSO signal.
“Once the equipment is installed, viewers can access all available channels across the country without paying any subscription fees,” he stressed
The DG dismissed claims by some retailers that there are different categories of decoders sold at varying prices, stressing that such sellers are not authorised by the commission.
According to him, the NBC will soon publish the list of approved dealers, official prices, and locations where genuine decoder boxes and accessories can be purchased.
The NBC boss said the DSO project is designed not only to improve television broadcasting but also to stimulate economic growth by creating jobs, attracting investment, and opening up opportunities for businesses that support the broadcasting industry.
Ebuebu noted that content producers and broadcasters stand to benefit significantly from the nationwide reach of the DSO platform.
Unlike the previous system, where many stations had limited regional audiences, he said the new platform will make their channels available to viewers across Nigeria.
He added that the introduction of audience measurement technology will provide scientific and reliable data on television viewership.
Ebuebu added that audience measurement technology will give advertisers greater confidence in placing adverts and enable broadcasters to demonstrate the true size and reach of their audiences nationwide.
Uchenna Mbunabo, Nigerian filmmaker, has raised concerns over the alleged unauthorised broadcast of Nollywood films by some Ghanaian television stations, calling on Ghana’s National Film Authority (NFA) to strengthen the enforcement of copyright laws.
Uchenna Mbunabo, Nigerian filmmaker
Mbunabo made the remarks during a conversation with James Gardiner, deputy CEO of the National Film Authority (NFA) of Ghana.
He questioned whether it was permissible for television stations in Ghana to download Nigerian movies from YouTube and air them without obtaining permission from the producers.
“I noticed that Ghanaian TV stations, the way they are stealing our films and showing them for free with impunity. Is it legalised in your country for TV stations to go on YouTube, download people’s sweat and show it for free?”
According to Mbunabo, some Ghanaian television stations have been downloading newly released Nollywood films from YouTube and broadcasting them without authorisation, depriving producers of revenue generated through the platform.
He also stated that he had not witnessed Nigerian television stations engaging in similar practices and questioned what measures Ghana was taking to protect filmmakers’ intellectual property.
Responding to the concerns, Gardiner acknowledged that the issue exists and said the National Film Authority had begun engaging relevant stakeholders to address it.
He disclosed that the NFA has held discussions with the Ministry of Communications, the National Communications Authority (NCA) and the National Media Commission (NMC) on improving copyright enforcement.
Gardiner explained that while Ghana has copyright laws, enforcement remains challenging because many television stations now operate digitally and may not have physical offices within the country.
“There are copyright laws, but they are not effective because a lot of the TV stations don’t have offices. Most of them are now digital, so they operate from anywhere. They can even have a Ghanaian TV station but be operating from Austria simply because it is digital.”
He added that authorities are considering a new licensing framework that would require broadcasters to undergo a fresh licensing process to improve monitoring and enforcement.
According to Gardiner, television stations found guilty of illegally broadcasting copyrighted content would be required to compensate affected producers through fines.
He added that repeat offenders could face suspension of their broadcasting licences, while a third violation could result in the revocation of their licences.
Although he did not provide a specific timeline, Gardiner said the reforms were already underway and expressed hope that significant progress would be seen next year.
Mbunabo welcomed the proposed measures but urged the National Film Authority to expedite the process, stating that unauthorised broadcasts continue to affect filmmakers’ ability to recover production costs through legitimate distribution channels such as YouTube.
He also stressed that his comments were not directed at Ghana’s film industry, noting that he has worked with several Ghanaian actors over the years and supports collaborations between Nollywood and Ghallywood.
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