M-Net localises Nigerian languages on D STv

Content provider on digital satellite television (DStv), M-Net has localized Nigerian languages with the introduction of two new channels, AfricaMagic Hausa and AfricaMagic Yoruba on its platform, reports CHARLES OKOH.

The two latest situations, which debuted on March 1 are now available to DStv subscribers on channels 117 and 118 respectively and would run 12 hours daily, according to the Managing Director, M-Net Africa, Mrs. Biola Alabi.

Speaking during the launch, she said that the two new channels were designed to reflect the cultural diversity of Africa’s most populous nation.

She also said that the two channels would follow the success of Nollywood based AfricaMagic and the East African focused AfricaMagic Plus channels in providing DStv’s African audiences with even more homegrown African programming.

“M-Net is very proud that AfricaMagic stays true to its pioneering spirit and is brave enough to explore new programming, create new channels, develop something new and be the first to do it on a continental stage,” she said, stressing that there was an opportunity to create these channels and make them suitable for Nigerians but also very relevant for the rest of the continent.

“We are fortunate that we can do this because our audiences across Africa are so open-minded, willing to see that beyond language and country lie stories that are engaging and relevant across borders,” she declared.

Equally, Mrs. Alabi noted that M-Net has been able to strengthen relationships with its content suppliers and partners to create AfricaMagic Hausa and AfricaMagic Yoruba.

“These are film production visionaries who understand that through their collaboration with M-Net, their work can and will be seen on a wider stage,” she asserted.

AfricaMagic, she said, was launched in December 2003, and has grown over the years to become the primary source for viewing the best of Nollywood movies and other local content from West Africa.

Based on this development, she said, M-Net launched a spin-off channel, AfricaMagic Plus in 2008 to focus on programming from East and Southern Africa.

In his contribution, the Managing Director, MultiChoice, Mr. Joseph Hundah, MultiChoice Nigeria, said the channels will appeal to viewers beyond the shores of the country, because Yoruba is the native tongue of over 60 million people spread across Nigeria, Togo and Benin and the Hausa language is spoken by over 40 million people, including natives of other African countries like Sudan, Cameroon, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Chad.

Highlights on both channels include a mix of romance, family drama, action among many others. On AfricaMagic Hausa in March, Kannywood stars, Ali Nuhu and Sani Musa Danja, will thrill subscribers with a number of their movies including Zulumin So, Rabuwa (a.k.a. Separation), Tambaya (a.k.a. Query), Kashe Ahu (a.k.a. What Goes Around Comes Around), Gidauniya (a.k.a. Endowment), Budurwa (a.k.a. The Maiden), Tagwayen Mata and Maidakina (a.k.a My Wife) among others.


ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D