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| Source: iRokotv.com |
(Ibukun Taiwo)--African Internet TV pioneer, iROKO, has launched iROKO
Global, its global content distribution and licensing division.
The iROKO Global team will license its extensive library
of Nollywood films and TV series across Pay TV, Internet TV, In-flight and
YouTube channels. From its HQ in London, the division will be partnering with
media outlets in key markets, notably the UK, US and France, to license
Nollywood films and TV series and develop iROKO branded channels. Leading iROKO
Global’s worldwide licensing division is Senior Vice President, Justine Powell,
who has recently joined the company from Associated Press, where she was
Director of Sales for Europe & Africa.
Speaking on the official launch, Powell says: “The gains
Nollywood has made in the last five years has been staggering. Building on this
momentum, and giving Nollywood the international platform it deserves, iROKO
Global will be making the best content the industry has to offer available to
its largest audience yet.”
“African entertainment has, for too long, been
undervalued. However, as audiences look for more diverse content, demand for
the continent’s most popular form of entertainment has increased, and with this
new distribution division, we are bringing the best of Nollywood to millions
more fans around the world, across all platforms.”
The new venture is already generating seven-figure
revenues for the company and follows on from the success of iROKO’s move into
Linear TV, with the launch of two new TV channels on Africa’s StarTimes earlier
this year. iROKO Global has already signed a number of deals with partners, including
Star Times, Canal, Nollywood TV, Lebara, Vox Africa, Zuku, British Airways,
Emirates, The Africa Channel, South African Airways and The Nollywood Channel.
Jason Njoku, iROKO Founder & CEO adds: “Leading
viewers to what they love is our ethos and what has underpinned this decision
to move into content distribution. As the very nature of home entertainment and
content consumption is changing, so must content distribution. Since 2011,
we’ve connected with hundreds of thousands of Nollywood fans through our
consumer platform, iROKOtv.com, but now is the time to extend our reach and
showcase our content to millions more.
“Having forensically tracked the growth of interest in
African content across the globe, we predict that iROKO Global will generate a
strong revenue stream for us and will help cement our position as Africa’s
leading entertainment brand.”
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