The Numbers of Subscribers of Netflix in Nigeria and in South Africa and the Way Forward is Content Localization

The Numbers of Subscribers of Netflix in Nigeria and in South Africa and the Way Forward is Content Localization for Nigerians

Currently the numbers of Nigerian subscribers on Netflix are only  169,600+ out of a population of 106 million bankable adults. 

South Africa has by far the most paid subscribers on Netflix with 1,172,800 subscriptions, accounting for 73.3 percent of the 1.6 million subscribers in sub-Saharan Africa.

South Africa has 69.5 percent of the $135 million subscription revenue from the region in 2022. Netflix made $93.82 million from South Africa alone.

What are the challenges of Netflix in Nigeria?

What are the solutions?

I have written on the challenges and solutions in my previous articles in 2022 and 2023.

Showmax of the MultiChoice Group, the biggest and largest entertainment company in Africa has overtaken Netflix on the continent. I prefer to call the MultiChoice, the King Kong of African Entertainment Industry.

The MultiChoice Group and Comcast’s NBCUniversal Media are investing more than US$177 million into Showmax

The strategic partnerships with Comcast and HBO and the access to the biggest football leagues in the world have increased the international milage and patronage of Showmax in Africa and beyond.

Nigeria with the largest population in Africa actually has the largest viewers of content online on the continent.

There were 103.0 million internet users in Nigeria in January 2024. Nigeria's internet penetration rate stood at 45.5 percent of the total population at the start of 2024. Kepios analysis indicates that internet users in Nigeria increased by 2.2 million (+2.2 percent) between January 2023 and January 2024

Majority of them watch Nollywood videos on YouTube spending millions of dollars monthly on data.

Read the following reports:

Streaming swells monthly internet spend to N216bn - Businessday NG-

MTN Nigeria’s data revenues have risen from N102.99 billion in the six months ending June 2019 to N349.51 billion in the three months ending March 2024. Airtel Nigeria’s data revenues have grown from N28.81 billion ($80 million at N360.06/$) as of the three months ended June 2019 to N151.15 billion ($116 million at N1,303/$) as of the quarter ended March 2024. Average data usage per customer has grown from 1.63GB to 6.3 GB per month on Airtel. MTN’s average data usage per customer rose to 8.6GB as of the end of Q1, 2024.

Amid penetration surge, Nigerians spend over N500b on data in Q1 | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News — Technology — The Guardian -

In 2023, MTN alone raked in N1.07 trillion from data subscriptions, representing a 39.8 per cent growth from N764.82 billion in 2022. Similarly, active data users on the network of MTN jumped by 12.7 per cent to 70.66 million in 2023, rising by over five million.

Facts and Figures

There are more than 20 million people in Nigeria who can afford the monthly subscriptions for Netflix. But Netflix has to CONNECT with them in their most spoken languages by doing the following:

1. Content localization which MultiChoice has used to attract millions of more subscribers in Nigeria.

There should be Netflix Yoruba;

Netflix Igbo and Netflix Hausa

These are the biggest and largest tribes in Nigeria with more than 150 million people in Nigeria and over 20 million in other countries.

There are different types of content localization.

2.?

How the Numbers of Subscribers of Netflix in Nigeria Can Increase To Over 1 Million Before 2025

It has been done before by a multinational company in Nigeria. And the same method will attract thousands of new subscribers to Netflix.

The fact is millions of people in Nigeria spend 100 percent more on paying for data to watch videos on YouTube monthly than what subscribers to Netflix pay monthly in the country.

My younger sister buys 25GB of data on the MTN network monthly to watch videos on YouTube paying N500 for 2GB.

She is one of the millions of people in Nigeria watching movies daily on YouTube.

She is addicted to Nollywood and Hollywood movies; watching more than four movies daily in-between her duties in the house. And she also reads novels and her King James Version of the Holy Bible. 

Her neighbor on the third floor spends more than my sister watching movies on DStv channels of the MultiChoice Group in Nigeria.

Netflix can consult me for how to overtake Showmax before the new year.

I am an expert on what I have proposed to Netflix.

I was commissioned by the John's Hopkins University's Population Communication Services (JHU/ PCS) to produce fully illustrated booklets on family planning methods in Pidgin English, Igbo,Hausa and Yoruba for Nigeria in 1984 and updated in 1990. 

Therefore, I am an expert in content localization in Nigeria since when I was 21 to date.

I have also done field trips on demographics of the population of Nigeria.

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series
The first book series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry since 2013.
Affiliate Partner,
Cinewav of Singapore
https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchimaeyerengozi

Have you seen Nancy Isime, the Sexiest Woman in Nollywood in "UNFORGIVABLE"?

The most daring Nigerian movie on love and rape.

Wi-flix To Offer Spatial Sound Experience on its Platform with Dolby Atmos

PRESS RELEASE

Wi-flix To Offer Spatial Sound Experience on its Platform with Dolby Atmos

Becomes the first African owned Video-On-Demand platform to deliver Dolby Atmos Experience to its subscribers

HOOFDDROP, Netherlands, March 29, 2023/ -- Africa’s fastest-growing video-on-demand streaming platform, Wi-flix has announced the integration of Dolby AtmosTM. Wi-flix (https://Wi-Flix.com) customers with compatible Dolby Atmos enabled devices will be able to enjoy a growing library of film titles in Spatial Sound. With this breakthrough integration, viewers will be able to elevate the impact of their entertainment with the enhanced sound of Dolby Atmos to connect more deeply to the shows and movies they love with sound that moves all around with breathtaking realism.

In addition to Dolby Atmos, the service has also integrated Dolby AudioTM bringing users a wide array of titles available in realistic surround sound.

Louis Manu, Co-Founder of Wi-flix, Chief Commercial and Technology Officer said, “Our work with Dolby marks a significant milestone for us at Wi-flix as we are the first African owned video-on-demand platform to offer Spatial Sound entertainment experiences with Dolby Atmos. It’s incredible how for decades, Dolby has been the leader in transforming the entertainment experience in the cinemas and in the home. This milestone represents our continued commitment to bringing world-class streaming experience to our customers worldwide. We want to share this excitement with our Wi-flix customers all over the world who can now connect more deeply with their favorite movies, and TV series in a theater-quality experience in the comfort of their own homes through their Dolby compatible smart device. We hope our customers love the all-new experience”.

Karan Grover, Senior Director, India, Middle East and Africa, Dolby Laboratories said “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Wi-flix to deliver a truly remarkable entertainment experience with the immersive sound of Dolby Atmos to its customers. At Dolby, we are focused on bringing together art and science to heighten and immerse the sensory experiences for consumers. With this integration, consumers with Dolby-enabled Android TVs, mobiles, tablets and iOS devices & Apple TV can enjoy a truly remarkable entertainment experience from the growing library of top-notch content in Dolby in the comfort of their home and on the go."

“We have updated our catalog with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Audio enabled titles such as The Signal, Bilal, Freedom Force and Created Equal for our customers to feel the premium experience that Dolby offers. We are excited to launch our first Dolby Atmos enabled Wi-flix Originals in the coming months and can’t wait for our customers to see these high-quality content”, said Bright Yeboah, Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer at Wi-flix.

In the next few months, a lot more Dolby Atmos and Dolby Audio enabled titles will be updated in Wi-flix’s growing library of content.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Wi-flix.

Media contact: 
Dennis Obeng-Adjei Opare
da@wi-flix.com

About Wi-flix:

Wi-flix is a leading African-based live streaming and subscriber video on demand provider offering authentic, originally African, and international content to subscribers in Africa and the diaspora. The service offers premium content at an affordable price point as part of a bold agenda to democratize content in Africa.

Based in the Netherlands and founded by two young Africans with a deep understanding of the continent, Wi-flix is poised to become a leading content provider in Africa and the diaspora.

SOURCE

Wi-flix

Netflix Originals Won the Streaming Wars in 2022

Netflix’s "Stranger Things" taking the top slot among all series.

Netflix Originals Won the Streaming Wars in 2022 

#Netflix #streaming #movies #originals #series #viewers #streamingwars

Americans streamed more than 19 million years’ worth of content last year

Streaming services continue to gain momentum as audiences’ favored destination for content, but the past year of viewing behavior illustrates how dramatically content offerings have evolved since Netflix introduced audiences to original programming back in 2013.

Before the debut of House of Cards, the political drama series on Netflix, which was the first TV series to appear exclusively on a streaming service, virtually all other streaming content had been licensed from other sources. Perhaps viewed as an experiment or a risk by some at the time, original content has grown to become a competitive advantage for streaming services, as many original titles attracted viewers to the platforms, and in some cases, they outperformed acquired content.

In total, Americans streamed more than 19.4 million years of content last year, up 27% from about 15 million years in 2021. The increase was driven by the breadth of new and expanded services, coupled by the depth of content—particularly streaming originals. In the years following the arrival of House of Cards, annual viewership reviews would highlight the incredible support that deep libraries of acquired content would provide. That changed in 2022, as viewing minutes for top-performing original content dramatically outpaced top-performing acquired content, with Netflix’s Stranger Things taking the top slot among all series.

Read the full report on 

https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2023/streaming-unwrapped-2022-was-the-year-of-original-content/

Discover Nollywood from the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series on Amazon Books.

Hardcover versions available by special request 

New Nigeria on Pinterest Has Over 240, 000 Viewers Monthly

This is the screenshot of my New Nigeria blog on #Pinterest

I have over 1 million views monthly on my blogs with over 20, 000 Followers so far without fanfare and without publicity campaign.
When my mobile video app for all users of smartphones is released on #Google Play Store, there will be more than 95 million users in Nigeria alone before including users in every country in the world posting and sharing videos in their languages.

The mobile app will include e-commerce and streaming channel.
I already have access to premium content of regular supply of movies, series, documentaries, music videos, etc

#video #blogs #mobile #apps #photos #camera #smartphones #mobileapp #content #broadcasting #streaming #Nigeria #Africa #elections2023 #nigeriadecides2023

When Will Paramount+ Launch in Nigeria?

When Will Paramount+ Launch in Nigeria?

An executive of Paramount came to Nigeria last year during the 2021 annual Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF).

Will Paramount+ be able to compete with Netflix , Amazon Prime Video and Showmax for the increasing millions of subscribers to SVOD streaming channels in Africa?

I had a dream two days ago of the take off of Paramount+ in Nigeria like a plane taking off. I was given two tickets for the flight at the airport and I woke up.

#Nigeria #svod #netflix #streaming #subscribers #amazonprimevideo #paramount #channels #africa #annual #international #filmfestival #executive #launch #millions

The American King now Streaming on Roku

 The American King, the first Hollywood and Nollywood comedy to have theatrical release in the United States of America is now streaming on Roku

A mysterious priestess arrives in the USA to fulfill a 400-year-old prophecy: to choose an American King who will rebuild an ancient African Kingdom. Streaming on Roku.

#hollywood #nollywood #comedy #streaming #drama #nigeria #africa #africans #theamericamking #blacklivesmatter #leadership #america #movies 

https://www.roku.com/whats-on/movies/the-american-king?id=4b8e8d4b97da5e9b8da961635b393d56

Giving Africa a Creative Voice in the Digital Era

 MultiChoice Group

OPINION PIECE

Giving Africa a Creative Voice in the Digital Era (By Georginah Machiridza)

A modern media company would likely use a combination of broadcast media, social media, written content, video clips, as well as animation and physical activations to share content and market their brand.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, May 25, 2022/ -- By Georginah Machiridza, Executive Head Content Strategy and 3rd Party Channels, MultiChoice Group (www.MultiChoice.com)

It’s crucial that the content, art and creative output of Africa’s content creators remains authentically African, even while we embrace the opportunities of the digital era, writes Georginah Machiridza, Executive Head Content Strategy and 3rd Party Channels, MultiChoice Group.

We’re all aware of how rapidly the media landscape is changing. Audiences have been migrating to digital and online channels for more than a decade, and even established media such as broadcast, film, and radio are using hybrid platforms that reach audiences across multiple channels.

A modern media company would likely use a combination of broadcast media, social media, written content, video clips, as well as animation and physical activations to share content and market their brand.

Digital skills

This constantly evolving media terrain requires a diverse range of skills. Storytelling lies at the heart of most media messaging, but specific technical knowledge is required to translate compelling stories for every channel.

Writing, cinematography, video editing, TV, radio and online presenting, animation, coding and content management are just some of the specialised skills of the modern media landscape – many of which are evolving in real time as their respective media fields develop.

Africa is at the coalface of these developments. New media provides enormous opportunities to reach more of our people, with more compelling content, and to do it more efficiently and cost-effectively.

African authenticity

The challenge, though, is that we must continue to tell African stories, even while many technology innovations and Big Tech companies originate outside Africa. Digital media evolution comes with a very real threat of cultural imperialism.

The solution to avoiding this Western cultural hegemony is twofold. Firstly, we must empower African content creators with the skills to tell African stories. Secondly, we must create viable, profitable markets for African content, and grow demand for that content.

Fortunately, Africa has long been a hub of creativity and innovation. We have “found our voice” in the digital economy, and there are many creators telling African stories for African, as well as global audiences.

These include people like Kenyan comedienne Elsa Majimbo, Ghanaian internet personality Wode Maya, Ghanaian visual artist Prince Gyasi, Kenyan journalist Brian Otieno, South African illustrator and artist Slaying Goliath, SA comic Donovan Goliath and others. These innovators are  “Expressing Africa” through compelling content using digital and social-media platforms.

African media platforms such as DStv and Showmax are also enabling this trend, creating platforms across the continent tailor-made to showcase African stories for audiences hungry for stories about themselves and their culture.

In 2018, M-Net and MultiChoice spent R2,5bn developing local movies and series and bringing them to screens across Africa.

By investing in original productions of authentic stories and talent across the continent, M-Net is helping to launch acting, writing and filmmaking careers, both locally and internationally.

Hyperlocal platforms

In Ethiopia, MultiChoice channel Abol TV provides premium 100% Ethiopian general entertainment 24 hours a day. In Uganda, Pearl Magic provides a similar offering, telling stories by Ugandans for Ugandans. In Nigeria, Africa Magic provides channels in Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa. Customised hyperlocal MultiChoice offerings are also available in Ghana, Angola, Mozambique and Kenya and 3rd party channel launching in Zimbabwe recently.

The group reaches a total of 50 African countries. The Showmax streaming service has also emerged as a powerful platform for African content, through its movie and series offerings. Its Colours Of Africa series of homegrown African short films by MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) students celebrates African culture and the effects of modernisation on some cultural practices.

Skills pipeline

All of these emerging platforms – whether broadcast, streaming or digital – have created enormous opportunities for African media workers and content creators. Creating the skills that enable young creatives to grasp these opportunities is the other way Africa will find its voice in the digital era.

Helping to provide this, by building a pipeline of skilled African content professionals is the MultiChoice Talent Factory.

MTF plays a critical role in building and strengthening the TV & film industry across Africa, and was born out of a need to solve for representation, local content, and higher production quality and value. MTF is a shared-value platform and strives to be Africa’s leading training ground for content creators, by providing an enhanced training programme through partnering with local and global experts. The initiative takes a multi-tiered approach, incorporating the MTF Portal, the MTF Academies and MTF Industry Masterclasses.

Every year, the MTF academies select 74 talented African individuals to participate in a 12-month academic and practical immersion programme including both theory and hands-on experience in cinematography, editing, audio production and storytelling to name a few.

The year-long, fully sponsored programme is offered through regional MTF academies in Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia and South Africa, in partnership with local tertiary education institutions. Students and interns learn filmmaking by making films – developing their film and TV production skills alongside industry greats.

In addition, MTF Masterclasses give working film and television professionals and those who aspire to be content creators exclusive access to practical, industry expert-led skills workshops, where they interact and learn from the best in Africa and the world. The online portal has more than 40 000 registered users who have access to a growing library of masterclass content.

The MTF Masterclasses, the Academies and the MTF Portal (a profiling and networking platform) – support MultiChoice’s commitment to enhancing accessibility, opportunity, and quality in local productions.

These initiatives are all part of Africa’s cultural and technological resurgence, creating opportunities and building capacity, allowing Africa’s creative output to stand proud on the world stage.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of MultiChoice Group.

SOURCE

MultiChoice Group

MX Player Presents "Azumkuta Kingdom" Starring Patience Ozokwor

MX Player Presents "Azumkuta Kingdom"  Starring Patience Ozokwor

https://www.mxplayer.in › movie

Watch Azumkuta Kingdom Movie Online for Free Anytime

Genre: Drama, Nollywood. Year: 2022.

https://www.mxplayer.in/movie/watch-azumkuta-kingdom-movie-online

One of the four Nollywood movies acquired by MX Player in December, 2021 for non-exclusive film and TV rights on Vuulr. 

MX Player is an Indian video streaming and video on demand platform developed by MX Media & Entertainment (formerly J2 Interactive. It has over 280 million users globally.[3][4] The platform currently operates on an ad-supported model and has a streaming library of over 150,000 hours across 12 languages including English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. It is available on iOS, Android and the web.

In 2018, Times Internet acquired a majority stake in MX Player for $140 million.

In October 2019, MX Player raised $110.8 million in an investment led by Chinese conglomerate Tencent.