Entertainment
The Power of Change: How TV Evolution Empowers Everyone
The television sector is at an exciting stage of development. Its evolution has accelerated – particularly over the past decade – and, most importantly, it has empowered all stakeholders.While discussing consumer preferences and expectations, Dr. Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content & Channels, West Africa at MultiChoice, explained that today’s audiences are shaping the content they consume. Audiences now actively seek out their preferred content, from music to shows, contributing to the proliferation of platforms available to them.Content DemocracyTraditional media offers tightly scheduled content, but online platforms, streaming services, and over-the-top (OTT) platforms have democratized content, allowing users to curate their viewing experiences based on personal tastes.Over the years, we’ve adjusted or removed content based on data indicating it was no longer resonating with viewers. That is the power of the audience!Broadcasters and production houses must be agile, adapting their offerings in real time to meet the audience’s evolving tastes. In West Africa, Big Brother Naija exemplifies this, using live polls and surveys to gauge sentiment, which then directly influences the storyline.Just as audiences are changing, so are filmmakers. New technologies now give filmmakers a wide array of platforms to share their stories, compared to the limited options of the past, such as pay TV.Today, filmmakers are no longer limited to a single broadcaster; technology is empowering producers to own and distribute their content.When it comes to monetizing content, blockchain technology offers a new way to track and authenticate usage, helping young producers secure the royalties they deserve. This is particularly relevant as AI continues to scrape and reuse online content without consent.Atinuke Ngozi Babatunde, Director of MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF) West Africa, emphasized the role of technology and intellectual property in shaping the future of TV: “At MTF, we incorporate courses on law, filmmaking ethics, ethical AI use, and protecting the rights of all film stakeholders. As online spaces evolve, issues like rights, ownership, and piracy are only becoming more critical.Our curriculum constantly adapts to reflect new trends,” she added. “We cover animation, virtual reality, and augmented reality as these technologies become more central to the television industry.”Emerging TrendsA major trend over the past 10 years is the miniaturization and affordability of equipment. Now, a creator can produce high-quality content using just a smartphone. This removes yet another barrier to entry for aspiring filmmakers.A lack of budget or equipment is no longer an excuse – if you have a decent phone, there’s little stopping you from telling your story. MTF’s “Low Budget/No Budget” course equips young filmmakers with frugal innovation skills, which have long been a hallmark of African creativity.Drone technology has also become more affordable, with some students purchasing camera drones as an income stream. Drones add depth to film production and have become mainstream tools for filmmakers.Another significant shift in the last decade is Africa’s emergence on the global film stage. Films are being made in Africa not only by African filmmakers but also by filmmakers from industrialized nations and the African diaspora.Collaboration and skills exchange play a role here. Recently, I participated in an event organized by the U.S. Consulate in Nigeria, where Nigerian filmmakers and musicians explored the importance of building a global African creative community.Storytelling in Our DNAStorytelling is deeply ingrained in African culture, forming the foundation of MTF’s approach to filmmaking.Our courses situate African filmmaking within this rich storytelling tradition. This foundation drives the hyper-local content on channels like Africa Magic, where many of our graduates work, telling authentic African stories for a dedicated audience.Through this technological evolution, all stakeholders in the television sector now have a say in its trajectory. Filmmakers, students, audiences, and broadcasters are all contributing to how content is created and consumed – often in real-time, collaborative settings.Together, we are shaping the future of African filmmaking.
Entertainment
Premium Entertainment Without the Premium Price Tag
These days, surviving in Nigeria feels like a full-time job on its own.
Before the month even properly begins, salary has already been divided into transport, fuel, food, bills, subscriptions, and every other expense that somehow keeps increasing. For many 9–5ers, the routine has become painfully familiar: wake up early, battle traffic, survive the stress of work, battle traffic again, and get home completely drained, only to realise even the simple things that help you unwind now have to be carefully budgeted for.
Because in this economy, everybody is cutting costs. People are thinking twice before ordering food. They are postponing shopping plans. They are reducing unnecessary spending. And for many, one of the first things to go has been entertainment.
The same streaming platforms and premium subscriptions people once paid for without thinking have now become part of the “maybe next month” list. Not because people suddenly stopped loving movies, series, football, or reality TV, but because when inflation keeps rising, and fuel costs continue to affect everything, entertainment starts to feel like a luxury.
But that is exactly why affordability in entertainment matters now more than ever and why GOtv continues to stand out as a brand that genuinely keeps everyday Nigerians in mind.
Rather than assuming quality entertainment should only be accessible to people willing to spend heavily, GOtv has consistently positioned itself as a platform built with everyday Nigerians in mind, creating options that allow people to still enjoy premium entertainment without having to break the bank.
Take the GOtv Smallie package, for example.
For as low as ₦1,900 a month, subscribers get access to over 35 channels, including approximately 19 to 21 local channels, sports content, and 15+ channels across news, music, movies, lifestyle, kids, and general entertainment.
And for those who prefer longer payment plans, it is also available in:
- Quarterly – ₦5,100
- Annual – ₦15,000
What makes this even better is that, despite being the most affordable package, Smallie still offers something for everyone.
It is not one of those basic plans where you pay less and get almost nothing. Whether you are the family member who loves African movies, the sports enthusiast who never wants to miss a match, the parent looking for kids’ content, or the person who just wants background TV after a stressful day, there is something to watch.
And for viewers who want even more variety, GOtv has other packages across different price points:
- GOtv Jinja – ₦3,900
- GOtv Jolli – ₦5,800
- GOtv Max – ₦8,500
- GOtv Supa – ₦11,400
- GOtv Supa Plus – ₦16,800
So whether you’re going for the most affordable option or something with a more premium feel, there’s always a GOtv package that fits comfortably into different lifestyles and budgets.
At a time when everyday decisions are increasingly shaped by cost, GOtv quietly fills an important gap by keeping quality entertainment within reach for more people, because beyond the hustle, the traffic, the deadlines, and the constant pressure of trying to keep up with life in today’s economy, there is still a need for simple moments of joy and escape. Those small pauses in the day where you can switch off, relax, and just enjoy something light without overthinking it.
And that’s really the point, entertainment shouldn’t feel like another financial burden.
Entertainment
Dividends: A Must-Watch Series on Africa Magic
A new kind of story is unfolding on Africa Magic Showcase, and it’s one that feels all too familiar.
Dividends, a gripping Nigerian dramedy, dives into the emotional and financial fallout of a failed Ponzi scheme, placing everyday realities at the centre of its storytelling.
Premiered on March 30, 2026, Dividends airs Mondays to Wednesdays at 8:30 PM WAT on Africa Magic Showcase (GOtv Channel 8), and is also available for streaming on DStv and GOtv Stream, making it easily accessible for viewers to follow every twist as it unfolds.
At the heart of the series is “The Golden Bars,” a too-good-to-be-true investment scheme that ultimately collapses, leaving devastation in its wake. What follows is a layered narrative that tracks the lives of three strangers brought together by shared loss of money, stability, and, in many ways, identity.
Through its characters, Dividends explores themes that resonate deeply within the Nigerian context: the lure of quick wealth, the pressure to succeed, and the quiet resilience required to rebuild when everything falls apart. It’s a story that doesn’t just entertain, it reflects.
Leading the story is Riyo David as Isa, alongside a dynamic cast including Ronnie Dikko, Omattuteejames, Cassiee_jae, Floydigbo, and Koko_ashley, each bringing depth to a narrative shaped by ambition, desperation, and consequence.
Blending drama, suspense, and social commentary, Dividends sparks conversation. As the series unfolds, viewers can expect to be drawn into a world where choices carry weight, and every decision has a ripple effect.
For audiences looking for something both engaging and thought-provoking, Dividends fast becoming one to watch.To upgrade, subscribe, or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. For catch-up and on-the-go viewing, download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.
Entertainment
How to Vote in AMVCA 12: Step-by-Step Guide for Fans Across Africa
fans across Africa have a powerful role to play, deciding who takes home some of the biggest awards of the night.
With 11 out of 32 categories open to public voting, this is your chance to support your favourite actors, filmmakers, and content creators.
Voting officially opened on March 29, 2026, and runs until April 26, 2026, ahead of the awards ceremony on May 9, 2026.
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you cast your votes.
Step 1: Visit the Official Voting Platforms
Go to the official Africa Magic voting platform via: The Africa Magic website: www.africamagic.tv/amvca and the MyDStv or MyGOtv mobile app.
Once there, click on the “Vote” section to begin.
Step 2: Register an Account
If you’re a first-time user, create an account by providing:
- Full name
- Year of birth
- Gender
- Country/location
- Mobile number (in international format)
- Password
You’ll receive a verification code (OTP) via SMS or WhatsApp. Enter it to activate your account.
And if you’re already registered? Simply log in.
Step 3: Log In
Use your:
Registered mobile number
Password
Step 4: Choose Your Favourite Nominees
Browse through the voting categories and select your preferred nominees.
Public voting categories include:
- Best Digital Content Creator
- Best Short Film
- Best Scripted M-Net Original
- Best Unscripted M-Net Original
- Best Indigenous M-Net Original
- Best Indigenous Language Film (West, East, South, North & Central Africa)
- Best Movie
- Step 5: Allocate Your Votes
You can cast up to 100 votes per platform.
Distribute your votes across multiple nominees or go all-in on your top favourites, it’s your call.
Step 6: Submit Your Vote
Click “Vote” to submit, and your votes will be counted immediately.
Important Things to Remember
- Voting is free (data charges may apply)
- Only selected categories are open to public voting
- Voting closes on April 26, 2026
- Late votes will not be counted
The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards is more than just an awards show, it’s a celebration of African storytelling shaped by both industry experts and fans like you.
So don’t just watch, vote, support your favourites, and be part of the moment.
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