₦airaland Forum

By Festus Igeniwari

The very instant I saw TSTV’s claims, I knew something wasn’t right. And I maintain that the PayTV industry in Nigeria is a level-playing field for everyone serious and capable enough to offer Nigerians the best value for money in world-class content.

First of all, it is important Nigerians realize that – as a rule – you don’t start off a marathon by sprinting; and when a claim sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

While I wouldn’t bug anyone with pay-tv lingo, it is now pertinent for Nigerians to grasp the rudiments of how the industry works; and the indices represented in the chain, right up to their television sets.

Pay-tv services providers only act as platform for several television content. And content doesn’t come free. As in, they aren’t just plucked out of nowhere, and broadcasted. No, because that would amount to piracy and infringement on intellectual property rights. So, how do pay-tv service providers get content for their subscribers? They buy rights. And why do they buy them? Well, because that movie, that sport content, involves a plethora of talents and production costs, and the owners aren’t in it for charity.

Thus, they pay and, if you want it, you pay as well. It’s why it is called “PAY-TV”! And guess what? The demand in a given market will determine how much the right for a certain content goes for in that market, as the cost isn’t always a one-size-fits-all. What does this mean? If the Premier League, for instance, is of a higher demand in Nigeria than, say, Ghana, the cost to acquire the Premier League rights here, would definitely be higher than it is in Ghana. Also, there are a number of other indices right owners take into consideration in fixing the price of content for a particular market, after which the service provider will need to consider the factors of its socio-economic environment in fixing subscription rates, so as to stay afloat.

Now, back to Nigeria. Nay, let’s talk about DStv. DStv launched in Nigeria in 1995 and, over the years, has increased the number of channels on its platform to more than a hundred, all of which can be accessed in its highest bouquet – DStv Premium. Also, over the years, DStv has continued to live up to its claim of offering the best TV entertainment in Africa viz aligning with the entertainment needs of its subscribers.

The English Premier League is one of Nigeria’s most sought-after TV content; and in 2007, when DStv lost the rights to HItv, it stepped up its game by reinforcing its local content offering on Africa Magic. Thus, in its trying time, it saw an opportunity to beef of its armor as the king of content in its market, using the threat to focus on developing local content further, which then proved – once again – to be a compelling need among Nigerians. Now that’s how you do business: identify a niche, latch on to it, turn the tide, and offer even more in the end. As a result, at the end of the 2007 saga, it dawned on many football-loving Nigerians that there is a whole lot more to DStv than football.

I am Nigerian but I am also a consumer who wants the best value for his money. While I – like other compatriots – may want to appeal to my sense of patriotism in choice of goods and services, I must also appeal to my need for quality viz what is readily obtainable. DStv has been in Nigeria for twenty-two whole years, and have maintained the lead in quality TV entertainment, Nigeria’s socio-economic environment notwithstanding. And like I have mentioned here, it is easy to have a layman appraisal of what it costs to bring such world-class content to your TV sets. So far, I have only used football nay, the Premier League, as an example. Albeit, in its offering, DStv has hundreds of content in its over hundred channels, each of which comes at a cost. Not in Naira, but in US dollars. Darn! Need I mention the La Liga, Serie A, the Champions League…and this is just FOOTBALL. Now, let’s talk about the other sports, and then go on to the movie channels (those movies aren’t played from a DVD from a secret location outside Nigeria, by the way), and then the local channels…the movies…news….er, what else? Anyway, I am sure you understand. Let me reiterate: THEY ARE ALL PAID FOR!

Like I mentioned earlier: the moment I saw TSTV’s claims, I knew straightaway there is no way they could have been 100% genuine, knowing what goes into acquiring them, and measuring it against their claims to dole out 20G worth of internet data as well. Only the government can offer such and with heavy subsidy too! Come to think of it: how much does it cost you to subscribe to a telco internet plan? Now add the cost of individual rights for TV content, overhead and etcetera. This isn’t rocket science actually.

In order to feel the pulse of any industry, you must study its major players. It will give you an idea of what makes it tick, and what it entails to delve into it or, like Nigerians will say, “to chook head inside”

I am Nigerian but I want the best for my money, and will only pay anyone who means business. As in, clean, honest business. Neither will I sacrifice quality on the altar of nationalistic sentiment, especially since there is level-playing field for all.

While we often talk about “buying Naija”, our businessmen must realize that we, as a nation, must live up to our highest potential as a people- in the ability to offer the best and, more importantly, deal conscientiously.

Let’s not forget: if it sounds too good to be true, then it most likely is.

I would rather TSTV to do their homework well because whipping up pretentious sentiments has never helped anyone in the long run. Neither does relying on it help long-term sustenance. TSTV must not renege on their initial promise. Otherwise, it would amount to devious manipulation and a play on our collective intelligence.

You don’t start off a marathon by sprinting. Not when your opponent has twenty-two solid years under his belt. You must know what you are doing. You must realize that the people you aim to reach are watching out for the outcome.

Nigeria or not, we won’t settle for less. Let all be challenged, and step up to it. The floor is open.

That’s all.

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The Igbo are an integral part of Nigeria as any other tribe is. They have contributed immensely to the political, social and economic developments of the nation-state as any other tribe has. I think the agitators of Biafra breakaway should reflect not only on what they think would be gain of the state, if it ever come to be, but also it negatives. Beyond the ballyhooed protests and threat of fire and brimstone, they should endeavour to conduct internally a fair and transparent referendum to see how many people would go with Biafra if they broke away. The young Turks, stoking the fire for a Biafra state should also know that part of the antithesis of their struggle is the political and economic elite, many of whom made billions through the rent system the Nigerian state personifies. I read Frederick Forsyth, a British journalist and spy, on the Biafra-Nigeria war and my takeaway was that late Ojukwu led a way he was ill-prepared for. The psyche of the people had not been revved to give all for the war, the materials were inadequate, and it was like fighting a lion with bare hands. Forsyth's account painted a picture in which three to four Biafra conscripts lay in wait to takeover arms from the any front line soldier killed in the war. The millions of needless deaths of children and women and the painful loss of finance and property by Igbo who couldn't reclaim theirs was avoidable. It was a war fought on ego, but lost with far greater calamitous consequences. I am a Young Yoruba man, who has visited all the states of the South-East, whether as a student, then, or a profession. An Igbo tenant has lived in my mother's house for 38 years and I have always regarded him as my father. Let's live in peace.

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