Entertainment
MultiChoice Nigeria Loses 243,000 DStv, Gotv, Subscribers In Six Months Over Increase In Price
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.”
Entertainment
Bandits leader Bello Turji reportedly establishes new base in Sokoto forest
There are indications that notorious bandit leader Bello Turji has established a new base.
The base is reportedly located in the Indaduwa Forest, approximately three kilometres northwest of the village of Bula, near the boundaries of Gundumi, Galadi, Maradun, and Raba in Sokoto State.
Zagazola Makama, a counterterrorism and insurgency expert in the Lake Chad Basin, disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Sunday. He noted that the gang’s activities extend to areas bordering Galadi, Maradun, Gundumi, and Raba.
Makama stated that the new base, reportedly formed three weeks ago, has been linked to recent attacks in the region, including the blockade of the Isa-Marnona road.
He added that an ambush targeting security personnel on the Gundumi-Isa Road on December 21 was allegedly carried out by operatives from Turji’s new base.
According to the security expert, more than 40 individuals are currently believed to be held captive by Turji’s group in the Indaduwa Forest.
Makama explained that ransom payments are allegedly facilitated through informants stationed in Marnona and Gidan Rana near the Gundumi-Isa Road. Survivors recently freed from captivity reportedly confirmed the gang’s operations in the area.
“Sources suggest that the group operating from the Indaduwa Forest base has been responsible for ambushes, kidnappings, and other criminal activities targeting travellers and residents.
“Informants in Illela and Marnona have allegedly been aiding the gang by facilitating ransom payments and providing intelligence.
“Impeccable sources have identified two primary reasons for establishing this new camp: conflict with rival bandits and unresolved feuds.
“Turji has an ongoing rivalry with the Maniya group, stemming from a longstanding feud inherited from his father, Rugga Chida. This feud led to a violent clash years ago, resulting in the death of Kachalla Dullun, a prominent Maniya figure.
“Turji reportedly views the new base as a strategic position to undermine the Maniya group’s operations in the Dutsin Gwauro area, which serves as their headquarters,” Makama explained.
Entertainment
Basketmouth slams filmmakers for failing to showcase Nigeria’s culture in movies
Popular comedian and filmmaker, Bright Okpocha, aka Basketmouth, has accused some of his colleagues of not showcasing Nigeria’s rich culture in their movies.
The movie star alleged that most of the epic movies released recently do not promote the country’s culture.
In an interview with Hip TV, Basketmouth claimed that the filmmakers wasted opportunities to showcase Nigeria’s culture positively.
He said, “I believe that we still have the opportunity to get it right. But we had a great opportunity to showcase our culture and most of the filmmakers blew it up. They just ruined that great chance because I see epic movies and they look like stage plays.
“When I was seeing most of the epic movies, I was disappointed.
“You guys blew up a great opportunity but let’s hope we still have another chance to strike at it.
“I’m sorry, only very few movies have impressed me so far. I believe that we can do more.”
Entertainment
VIDEO: Beauty Tukura confirms break up with Neo
Big Brother Naija reality show star, Beauty Tukura has confirmed her break up with colleague, Neo Akpofure.
Beauty made this known amid the breakup rumors between her and Neo after unfollowing each other on Instagram.
Speaking in a red carpet interview, she shed light on her current relationship status .
While addressing her relationship status, the reality star emphasized the importance of faith, security, and support.
The interviewer asked; “Are you in a relationship?”
She responded; “It is complicated and I’m not seeing anybody. I love a God fearing man who can make me feel secure, encourage me and support me to fly.”
Watch video below:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDy1O9JNQPr/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading
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