The next big battle for the future of
media is the streaming wars. Its a war already 30 years in the making starting
in the US in the early 90’s with then video giant Blockbuster and relatively
new upstart, Netflix. 30 years later, almost every major media network playing
in both traditional and digital spaces launching their own streaming services
as a way to profit off their content and corner their own niche of the market.
Even Nigerian independent
studios are launching streaming platforms. There is Ebony Life On, Linda Ikeji
TV and Scene One Productions from Funke Akindele. With Nigeria’s thriving
entertainment industry and the proliferation of Nigerian-centric film and
television content, it was only a matter of time before Netflix set its sights
on the country. Genevieve Nnaji’s Lionheart certainly had something to do with
that. It was the first African independent film project bought by Netflix for
an exclusive wide release for a rumoured 3 million dollars. Netflix must have
recouped the investment because since they have steadily bought the streaming
rights for a number of high profile Nigerian films and shows, much of which will
make the foundational content for Netflix Naija.
But Netflix creating a dedicated
Nigerian service changes the game significantly. In 2016, they signed a
partnership with Nigerian internet service provider Spectranet to manage
dedicated Netflix servers on its network. Dedicated servers means less buffering
when watching shows using the apps and less data consumed. This new
announcement, complete with a constellation of A-List Nigerian stars suggests
that a Nigerian directed project is coming soon and will most likely feature
many of the actors featured in their promo image. Following the buzz around
their successful launch of South African
Original Queen Sono, there will pressure to see that the Nigerian
contigent either meets or surpasses that.
No pressure, Akin Omotoso.
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