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Ahead of the trend: How TV is changing

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By Dr. Busola Tejumola

Modern content consumption is evolving rapidly – and television along with it. Busola Tejumola, MultiChoice Executive Head of Content & Channels, West Africa outlines some of the trends shaping content, and how the TV landscape is changing to cater to viewer tastes.Television is in the throes of a significant evolution. As audiences, technology, and cultural trends shift, so too does the medium that has been the foundation of popular culture in Africa for more than half a decade. In terms of content and programming, TV is shifting to align with these macro trends. At the same time, the industry is helping to shape popular culture and viewing practices.The digitisaton of TVA key trend underpinning all of this is the convergence of traditional TV and streaming. As the lines between traditional broadcast television and streaming blurs, television shows are becoming platform-agnostic, airing simultaneously across traditional TV, online streaming services, and mobile apps. This shift caters to audiences’ growing demand for content consumption on their own terms.Future television programmes are likely to become more interactive and immersive, integrating augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and 360-degree experiences. Genres like reality TV, sports, and game shows will be transformed, allowing viewers to interact with content in real time, participate in polls, or access additional layers of storytelling.As data analytics becomes more advanced, traditional television will also adapt by using audience insights to tailor programming schedules, advertisements, and content recommendations. This shift will enable traditional broadcasters to better compete with streaming platforms, which already use data heavily. The days of “one-size-fits-all” TV are fading, as traditional television increasingly shifts towards niche content.Data-driven personalisation will support niche genres – such as eco-centric lifestyle shows, slow TV, e-sports, and subculture dramas, which will in turn encourage the rise of smaller, more targeted channels. Broadcasters such as MultiChoice will diversify offerings, giving rise to a more fragmented yet highly engaged viewer base.Short-form content Another exciting trend is the way short-form content is reshaping television. Audiences increasingly want quicker, more flexible entertainment, influenced by platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Bite-sized episodes – ideal for comedy, news, and lifestyle – cater to viewers with shorter attention spans or those looking for quick, on-the-go content.This might include impactful, 5-10-minute micro-episodes, 60-90-second news updates, or branded mini-segments. These short-form pieces will encourage audience engagement through social media.Short-form material can be slotted in between longer shows, allowing networks to experiment with their programming. Short-form also bridges traditional TV and mobile viewing, as clips can be shared across platforms to engage a mobile-first audience.Culturally relevant storytelling Television is increasingly embracing culturally diverse and relevant narratives. This will lead to richer programming that not only entertains but also educates viewers.The demand for stories that resonate with personal and cultural experiences is driving a surge in locally produced content. For a Pan-African entertainment platform like MultiChoice Africa, our investment in local content has been transformative – we now have a library of 84 000 hours of local content. By prioritising local stories, languages, and talent, we’ve created a sense of pride among African audiences. Our investment goes beyond entertainment; it’s about preserving and promoting African heritage. Shows like Tinsel (now in its 17th season after 4 000+ episodes) or Big Brother Naija, which has just wrapped its 9th season, have lasting cultural relevance.Through a diverse range of hyper-local content, MultiChoice Africa continues to demonstrate its reality television dominance. From West Africa’s cultural phenomenon Date My Family Ghana and the pan-African success of Big Brother Titans, to Judging Matters, a popular legal reality show, MultiChoice delivers highly popular, localised storytelling solidifying our position as a leader in African reality television. Craving the drama and intrigue of The Real Housewives of Lagos? Look no further than MultiChoice channels and on Showmax for all the gossip and glamour from your favourite franchise, across the continent.Moreover, by making local content accessible on our streaming platform Showmax and other international third-party platforms, we are exporting our stories to a global audience. This strategy keeps local content vibrant and globally competitive, ensuring its longevity and sustainability.AI-generated and hybrid contentAI-generated scripts, news broadcasts, and interactive content that adapts in real-time based on audience reactions are expected to become commonplace. The technology helps to offer personalised viewing experiences that cater to individual preferences, and could enhance audience engagement, as viewers may find themselves more invested in content that evolves in response to their input.Moreover, hybrid shows that blend human creativity with AI-enhanced production techniques are likely to push the boundaries of conventional genres. These productions may leverage AI for tasks such as scriptwriting, scene selection, and even character development, allowing human creators to focus on storytelling and emotional depth. Sustainability and social impact As viewers become more aware of the pressing challenges facing our planet and communities, genres that engage audiences in collective problem-solving, raise awareness, or propose innovative solutions will likely see significant expansion.This trend will manifest in a variety of formats, from documentaries that highlight climate change and social inequality to scripted dramas that tackle these issues through compelling storytelling. Furthermore, interactive, and participatory programming that invites viewers to engage directly with initiatives may emerge, fostering a sense of agency and collective responsibility. Media can play a powerful role in shaping public discourse and driving social change. We have already seen great audience response to initiatives like the Earthshot Prize, a campaign that inspires and rewards initiatives to repair the planet. The app economyThe changing landscape of digital content consumption has made mobile and smart TV apps an integral part of the modern TV economy. MultiChoice has embraced this opportunity, with our DStv Stream mobile platform, offering an enhanced user experience through better navigation and discovery, and personalised recommendations using AI and data analytics while offering a combination of live streaming and Catch-Up.Our Showmax 2.0 – Streaming for Africa app focuses on local content and user engagement, with user-centric features, enhanced discovery tools, and rich social features. Live polls and viewer feedback options during shows allow audiences to engage in real-time discussions, for greater participation in the content.Our GOtv Stream has also gained significant traction, offering an affordable, accessible streaming entry point, particularly for younger viewers who seek flexible, on-the-go viewing options. Ultimately, user engagement is the key to the future of television. By leveraging technology and interactive features to provide content relevant to viewers, television can deliver an immersive viewing experience that resonates with audiences, driving growth and loyalty.

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How Primate Ayodele Foretold Pipeline Explosion In Rivers (VIDEO)

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An explosion has rocked a section of the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo Community in Gonna Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The explosion occurred late on Monday night near the Bodo-Bonny Road under construction.

Thick black smoke was seen billowing into the atmosphere, with a raging fire spreading fast into the mangrove from a video that emerged on Tuesday morning.

This development has fulfilled the prophecy of Nigerian prophet, Primate Elijah Ayodele which he shared in October 2024 in an interview session.

Primate Ayodele had warned the Nigerian oil sector that there will be a major pipeline explosion in the country if care isn’t taken.

In this video, he specifically mentioned some states which included Rivers state.

These were his words:

“Let us watch against pipeline explosion in the following state: Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Ogun state, Rivers state…, Let us be watchful in this environment against such nasty and unpleasant situation.”

The fulfillment of this prophecy is an indication that people don’t listen to God’s warnings through his prophets and if people listen, several things can be avoided.

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From Lagos to Potomac: How Nigerian women are shaping The Real Housewives franchise 

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The Real Housewives franchise has become a cultural phenomenon, offering a front-row seat into the lives of powerful women balancing business, family, friendships and everything else in-between.  The franchise first became a global sensation in the US, and its influence extended to Africa, where Nigerian women are making waves both locally and internationally.  Across the Atlantic, The Real Housewives of Potomac (RHOP)’s Dr Wendy Osefo has brought Nigerian representation, balancing her reality TV presence with a career as a professor, political commentator, and author. Born in Nigeria and raised in the US, Wendy has remained vocal about her heritage, often incorporating her cultural identity into conversations on the show. Image courtesy @wendyOsefo Instagram Halfway through its third season, The Real Housewives of Lagos (RHOLagos) continues to deliver everything viewers signed up for: lavish lifestyles, power moves, and shifting friendships.  With RHOLagos setting new standards for African reality TV and Wendy Osefo expanding Nigerian visibility on an international stage, the franchise continues to evolve while keeping its signature mix of glamour and real-life drama. RHOLagos has kept audiences engaged with shifting alliances, business triumphs, and high-stakes confrontations. The Lagos cast, Adeola “Diiadem” Adeyemi, Carolyna Hutchings, Dabota Lawson, Laura Ikeji, Mariam Timmer, and Sophia Momodu are making it clear that beyond the designer outfits and exclusive events, real-life relationships and ambitions are at the heart of the show. Meanwhile, RHOP’s Wendy Osefo remains a standout personality in the franchise, balancing academia, media, and personal life all while embracing her Nigerian roots. With reality TV becoming a key part of entertainment culture, Showmax is making it more accessible this March with the Shikini Deal, offering a limited-time-only deal on its General Entertainment plans from as low as N1,000. For those looking to catch up on RHOLagos or explore other must-watch shows, this presents a timely opportunity to do so at a lower cost.As RHOLagos Season 3 heads toward its finale and fans in Africa catch up on Season 9 of RHOP courtesy Showmax, one thing is clear – Nigerian women are shaping conversations in reality TV, both at home and on the global stage. And with Showmax leading the charge in showcasing these stories, fans have a front-row seat to all the drama, success, and sisterhood that make The Real Housewives universe so compelling.

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PRIMATE ELIJAH AYODELE:Celebrating a man of voluminous and comprehensive spiritual, human progressiveness (Part 1)

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compiled by Bunmi Orija

Right from childhood through adulthood, he has always being endowed with the spirit of giving, benevolence, passion for humanity and above all an uncommon display of God’s fear. He is an embodiment of love, unity and oneness, an apostle of gracious livelihood as well as an embodiment of strict adherence to the Gospel.

Welcome to the enviable spiritual word of Primate Elijah Ayodele, the Founder and General Overseer, INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church Worldwide.

Digging into his spiritual and philanthropic antecedents is like trying to sell ice to the Eskimos or at most, filling a basket with logs of water. His qualities in these regards are immeasurable. Primate Ayodele’s magnanimity and contributions to the aggradizement of humans are jaw-dropping and simply, amazing. Over decades, he has been an extremely proactive spiritual leader not only in the African continent but all over the globe.

Primate Ayodele had, on several occasions stood as the voice of the masses, clamoring for better governance and sanity in people’s administration. He has been very instrumental to the democratic comportment of various state governors, state and federal legislators as well as presidents. Know as the only man of God with the most accurate predictions, Primate Ayodele had, through his divinely inspired words, giving standing orders to governments at different levels.

A sagacious man of God, immensely blessed with unalloyed spiritual endowment, Primate Ayodele is today, very well respected and reverred amongst all spheres of the global vast communities, making great spiritual impact in virtually all the continents of the globe. Having traveled far and wide, the emphatic and quintessential Prophet of God, Primate Ayodele recognized the suffering some segment of the universe go through.

His experience or the sorry sights he saw in some parts of the world, most especially in Africa, coerced him to dexteriously embark on comprehensive and massive humanitarian procedures comprising empowering the poor, enhancing the standards of the needy, putting smiles on the faces of the vulnerable, changing the stories of the no privileged, revamping the lives of widows, orphans, widowers, the disabled, the visually impaired, the sick etc, giving them a brand new platform to live happily again.

Obviously, Primate Ayodele is a life giver, an enigmatic man of God whose curiosity in discovering and nurturing lost souls into the Vineyard of God knows no boundaries. This is because Primate Ayodele is a detrabilized prophet of God who aligns easily with the Hausa, Igbo, Ibiobio, Efik, Idoma and Yoruba etnics.

Primate Elijah Ayodele’s life radiates perfect Esa and willingness to do the wills of God. He absolutely knows why God sent him and he is not living any stone unturned in ensuring that he fulfills God’s mission and adhere to the promises he made to his Creator on humanity.

Years down the lane and uptill now, Primate Ayodele has been involved in several commendale humanitarian activities some of which include commissioning of health facilities as well as donation of drugs and modern day medical equipment, donation of food items and provision of borehole to communities, payment of school fees of pupils.and students at all levels to augment their patents/guardians’ spending, purchase and presentation of WAEC, GCE, NECO and JAMB forms for potential students, giving out cars, tricycles, busses and cash gifts to support businessmen and women amongst other magnanimous activities too numerous to list here.

As a true believer and servant of God, Primate Ayodele believes both the two major religions, Christian and Islam serve the same God, hence his resolve to construct an ultra-modern mosque for Muslim faithful. He also built a bakery to subsidize bread for the poor etc.

He plays very important roles in the lives of his church members, extends love to outsiders and maintains high level of spiritual contributions to erring sinners. His passion for God’s words endeared him into the hearts of many distinguished personalities curring across all sectors of life. Primate Ayodele maintains mutual affinity with kings, political leaders, business tycoons, diplomats, entertainers, sportsmen and women among others.

Watch out for more on this fantastically created man of God, an amazingly endowed prophet and an enigma in global Christendom., Primate Elijah Ayodele of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church worldwide.

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