MultiChoice set up its operations in Nigeria in 1993 as a joint venture between Nigerian lawyer and businessman – Adewunmi Ogunsanya (SAN) and MultiChoice Africa. It has since then become a significant part of Nigeria’s broadcasting landscape, providing Direct-to-Home
In June this year, MultiChoice DTH brand; DStv emerged the Most Admired Media Brand in Africa and the Most Admired African Brand in Nigeria in the Africa Best Brands, Nigeria Awards.
MULTICHOICE’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE ECONOMY
MultiChoice Nigeria from 2015 – 2019 alone, contributed an estimated N634.6 billion ($2.1 billion) to the nation’s economy which translated to over N357.4 billion ($1.2billion) in GDP contribution. The company has also created over 12,323 jobs within the nation’s workforce.
MULTICHOICE’S CONTRIBUTION TO CSV
MultiChoice Nigeria has positively impacted on the lives of over 1.59million Nigerians through its Corporate Social Investment projects. For one, over N10 billion ($34.8 million) has been invested in education, sponsorship and development of the entertainment industry in Nigeria. These investments include the flagship Shared Value initiative known as the MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF); a project designed to ignite Africa’s creative film and TV industry through training and skills development and the MultiChoice Resource Centre (MRC); a programme designed to integrate audio-visual learning technologies in public schools via digital satellite television currently in 493 centres in 35 states.
Some of the activities MultiChoice Nigeria embarked on to support the fight against COVID-19
1 MultiChoice donates N1.2 billion for coronavirus fight
To support efforts of the Federal and Lagos state governments in ameliorating the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, MultiChoice Nigeria unveiled several initiatives such as:
- Cash support of N200 million and N50 million to the Federal and Lagos State Governments respectively
- Broadcast Public Service Announcements (PSAs) comprising prevention tips in English, Pidgin, Ibo, Yoruba and Hausa languages as well as highlighted NCDC’s COVID-19 helplines on more than 10 channels across the DStv and GOtv channels, adding up to an inventory worth over N550 million
- Committed up to N400 million in the form of remunerations of engaged creative industry professionals whose productions had been disrupted by covid-19
2 MultiChoice cushions COVID-19 impact on DStv, GOtv customers with We’ve Got You offer
Despite all the uncertainties associated with the Covid-19 pandemic, MultiChoice Nigeria rewarded its customers on DStv and GOtv with mouth-watering discounts on their subscription to ensure they remain connected during this period.
Tagged We’ve Got You, the campaign which commenced on April 20 offers active and disconnected customers the opportunity to enjoy discounts and get upgraded to the next viewing package when they pay on their current package.
The offer is the company’s way of showing appreciation to loyal subscribers during these challenging times and to also cushion the impact of the economic disruption triggered by the pandemic.
3 MultiChoice supported hotel owners by providing 75% discount as palliative
MultiChoice Nigeria offered hotel owners up to 75% discount each month from April to June 2020. Providing world-class service to these businesses comes at a significant cost, which includes absorbing a significant portion of these costs to avoid passing it on to its customers. The world over, Coronavirus (Covid-19) has impacted sports and all other programming globally, with events either postponed or cancelled by organisers. As the situation continues to evolve, MultiChoice Nigeria commits to ensuring that these businesses continue to receive its services as well as access to the best in sports, entertainment and news programming currently available.
4 MultiChoice Nigeria opened the Free to Air channels
MultiChoice Nigeria also opened its free to air channels so that subscribers can get essential information during this period of the pandemic. These include news, kiddies and sporting channels.
5 MultiChoice Care initiative; a staff engagement to create awareness on the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria
MultiChoice did not only engage in external community engagement in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, internally, MultiChoice took care of its staff; which is its greater asset. With the MultiChoice Care initiative, they provided PPE materials, hand sanitizers and multivitamins to help protect the lives of staff during the period of the pandemic and provided virtual education on do’s and don’ts during the pandemic.
6 MultiChoice delivered face mask to dealers
MultiChoice Nigeria also distributed face masks to its mega dealers and dealers across the country to protect them from the Covid-19 pandemic. In all, 10,000 face masks were distributed by MultiChoice Nigeria.
7 COVID-19 Hope for Africa Concert
MultiChoice and One Africa Global Foundation joined forces for the broadcast of the Covid-19 ‘Hope for Africa’ Concert. The concert is part of the Foundation’s efforts to support the fight against the novel coronavirus which is still devastating Africa and the rest of the world.
According to John Ugbe, CEO, MultiChoice Nigeria; the company will continue to “use the power of entertainment to give hope, enrich lives and bring people together especially during these uniquely difficult times. This is why we are partnering with the One Africa Global Foundation to broadcast the Covid-19 Hope for Africa Concert in more than 49 countries across sub-Saharan Africa”.
They also introduced programmes like Turn up Friday and the Owambe Saturday that brings authentic African live band music and dance experience to homes.
8 MultiChoice Joins the UN as Official African Media Supporter for Global COVID-19 Campaign
Recently, MultiChoice announced its partnership with the United Nations in the fight against COVID-19 through the United Nations’ global COVID-19 awareness campaign Pause. The aim of the Pause campaign is to highlight the dangers of sharing false information related to COVID-19. The campaign asks everyone to pause, think and take care before sharing information which could be inaccurate or misinformed and may have harmful effects.
Although a group partnership, MultiChoice Nigeria has also harnessed the power of its platforms to ensure that its subscribers nationwide get access to credible and accurate information during this period of the pandemic.
