By Osagie Alonge
Big news for Nigerian television…
Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa has announced a landmark partnership and training agreement with Nigerian national terrestrial network, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA)
According to VIMN (which rebranded from MTV Networks Africa), from February 2013, ‘NTA will broadcast VIMN programming content including youth-focused editorial under its MTV Base brand’.
The kids aren’t left out as kiddies and family oriented content will appear under the Nickelodeon banner. Nickelodeon programming will air seven days a week while MTV Base content will air five days a week in the early afternoon, with an additional late night slot on Fridays and Saturdays.
Some of the programs to air on NTA are local and international music, lifestyle, reality, chat and animation franchises such as MTV Base VJ Search – Nigeria followed by the Official Naija Top 10, Big Base Beats, The Big Friday Show, Cribs, Run’s House and Pimp My Ride.
From the Nickelodeon stable, kids and parents will be treated to Dora the Explorer, The Penguins of Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and SpongeBob SquarePants.
VIMN Africa will also be providing skills training and workshops in TV production for NTA member stations and personnel, to help develop local production expertise.
The deal serves to increase the penetration of VIMN content in Nigeria while allowing NTA to increase the quality of its youth, kids and family service offering to viewers in the region.
‘We are delighted that our partnership with NTA will expand the footprint of our content in Nigeria, bringing new viewers in touch with the VIMN portfolio. We are excited to share our expertise with our peers at NTA in Nigeria in order to maximise the partnership’, Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, VIMN Africa.
