Broadcasting
FG Seeks $500m Loan to Digitize NTA Stations, Others
Lai Mohammed, minister of Information and Culture, has said that the ministry has applied for $500 million loan to enable it to actualise the digitalisation of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) stations in the country.
He said the fund, when approved and disbursed, would also be used to improve the creative industry in the country.
Mohammed made this known when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts to defend the external borrowing plan sought by the ministry.
He said that the loan would help to improve the creative industry in Nigeria via creation of additional 100,000 jobs for youths in the creative industry.
He also said that the fund would aid in the establishment of a Media and Cultural Training Centre and ensure digital coverage in all Nigeria villages which would create jobs.
The minister said the ITU had given a dateline for nations to migrate from analogue to digital television broadcast. He said the media and culture training centre would help train Nigerian broadcasters and film makers and also generate revenue for the nation.
Mohammed said that the digitilisation of all NTA stations would help to improve the contents and quality of the nation’s television programmes.
Broadcasting
Everything You Should Know About Jumia Nigeria’s Black Friday Platinum Partner – Xiaomi
If you have been a fan of innovative tech that is stylish, high-performance, and budget-friendly, you have likely heard of Xiaomi. As the platinum partner of Jumia Nigeria’s Black Friday campaign this year, Xiaomi has taken the spotlight, and there’s no better time to experience all they offer than during Jumia’s Black Friday. today—Xiaomi’s Exclusive Brand Day!
Why Xiaomi? Quality Tech at Unbeatable Prices
Xiaomi has become a household name worldwide for a reason. Known for delivering high-quality gadgets at accessible prices, Xiaomi is committed to making cutting-edge technology accessible to all. Whether you are looking for a feature-packed smartphone, smart home devices, or accessories, Xiaomi products bring together powerful performance and sleek design—without breaking the bank.
Exclusive Deals and Discounts on Xiaomi – Only on Jumia Black Friday!
As Jumia’s Black Friday Platinum Partner, Xiaomi is offering exclusive discounts on some of its best products from November 1st to 30th. Here’s a look at what’s on offer:
- Xiaomi Smartphones: Known for their gorilla screens, incredible battery life, sharp cameras, and user-friendly interfaces, Xiaomi smartphones are a game-changer. With Black Friday discounts, you can snag top models at unbeatable prices, allowing you to upgrade without the hefty price tag. With a wide range to pick from their quality smartphones, you might get a little confused, so here are some recommendations to inform your choice:
- If you’re looking for a device that can accommodate long hours of screen time without getting you worried about the battery life, then the XIAOMI Redmi 14C 6.88” 6GB RAM/128GB ROM Android 14 is your best bet!
- Phone storage means everything to you, then you want to run now to the Jumia website to purchase the XIAOMI Redmi Note 13 6.67″ 8GB RAM/512GB ROM Android 12 at the best price ever!
- If you want the newest smartphones from their portfolio, then you can lookout for the launch of the Xiaomi Poco C61 & Xiaomi Poco C75.
- Wearable Tech and Accessories: For fitness enthusiasts and remote workers, Xiaomi’s accessories like the XIAOMI Redmi Buds 6 Lite can help you stay connected on the move.
Don’t Miss Out – Shop Xiaomi on Jumia’s Black Friday Now!
With flash sales, and amazing discounts running all day on Jumia till 30th of November, today is the day to head over to Jumia, browse the amazing Xiaomi deals, and treat yourself to quality tech that is built to last. Make the most of Jumia’s Black Friday before the deals disappear—happy shopping!
Broadcasting
Economic Hardship Forces 243,000 Nigerians to Drop DStv, GOtv Subscriptions
The South African pay-TV operator MultiChoice Group disclosed that its Nigerian unit, MultiChoice Nigeria, lost 243,000 subscribers on its Digital Satellite Television (DStv) and General Entertainment on Television (GOtv) services from April to September this year.
The company revealed these figures in its Interim Financial Results for the period ending 30 September 2024, which were released on Tuesday.
MultiChoice attributed this decline to Nigeria’s high inflation rate, which exceeds 30%, driven by the rising costs of food, electricity, and fuel, causing many customers to disconnect.
In its financial report for March 2024, MultiChoice had earlier reported an 18% subscriber loss in Nigeria.
The company further reported a 566,000-subscriber loss in the Rest of Africa operations over the past six months, with Zambia and Nigeria contributing the largest shares to this decline.
“With the Rest of Africa business having seen a decline of 803k subscribers in 2H FY24, this rate of decline slowed to 566k in 1H FY25,” stated MultiChoice.
The loss included 298,000 in Zambia and 243,000 in Nigeria, while other markets experienced a minor decline.
Extreme inflation and currency instability have negatively impacted the group’s profits, with MultiChoice Group CEO Calvo Mawela commenting, “We are making good progress in addressing the technical insolvency that resulted from non-cash accounting entries at the end of the last financial year.”
Mawela noted that the group’s net equity position is expected to recover by November.
With regard to Zambia’s losses, the company attributed them to extensive power outages caused by drought, leaving some regions with up to 23 hours of daily outages.
The company also cited competition from streaming services and changes in viewer preferences as pressures on its traditional pay-TV model.
To adapt, MultiChoice invested an additional ZAR1.6 billion in its streaming service Showmax, which reported 50% year-over-year growth.
Mawela added, “Showmax strategically positions the business to actively participate in the streaming revolution as it gains momentum across Africa.”
Broadcasting
Echefu Launches LUFT TV, another Pay TV after Failed TSTV Project
Bright Echefu, founder of Telecom Satellites Limited (TSTV), has announced the launch of LUFT TV, a new pay TV service, years after his initial venture, TSTV, left many subscribers in limbo.
Echefu stated during the unveiling in Abuja that the new pay TV will accommodate customers’ needs and guarantee to offer the best entertainment in Nigeria and throughout Africa.
He said its satellites are already present throughout West Africa, suggesting that LUTF TV is accessible to West Africans.
Echefu, on the other hand, spoke about TSTV, which has been off the radar since 2020, and said it is not dead.
He alluded to the impending onboarding of TSTV customers to LUFT TV.
“Some time ago, we had TSTV. TSTV will be returning. It’s not dead, no. I just want to announce that TSTV is not dead. And, very soon, TSTV subscribers will be able to access LUTF TV. So we haven’t lost anything,” he explained.
He promised that the new Pay TV is dedicated to promoting local values and content while telling Nigeria’s tales, from gripping dramas and memorable music to exhilarating sporting events, among other things.
He claims that LUTF Pay TV is a movement that aims to unite people, inspire them, amuse them, and provide TV that speaks to their individuality rather than just a service.
Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule, governor of Nasarawa State, praised Echefu as “a focused individual with a great mind” during his remarks at the event.
He said his knowledge of Pay TV was comparable to that of Globacom and MTN in Nigeria.
Many Nigerians were encouraged by TSTV’s alluring offers when it joined the market on October 1, 2017, according to thenews-chronicle.com.
It was hailed as the nation’s first and only entirely Indigenous pay-TV provider. It was claimed that its choice to debut on the nation’s Independence Day was a proclamation of “freedom” in the pay-TV sector. However, following the launch, the company vanished.
On October 1, 2020, it returned to provide Nigerians with the greatest Pay-TV experience. Nevertheless, users who purchased the company’s decoders constantly complained about its sporadic service.
With no explanation to customers other than sporadic apologies for “technical glitches” during its active days, TSTV fully vanished from the public eye again in March last year and has stayed silent ever since.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a fraud complaint against TSTV, which is presently worth N380 million.
The EFCC is pursuing a civil loan case against Mr. Tanimu, MD of Kalsiyam Global and a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, according to Echefu, who refutes the accusation.
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