By Lukmon Oloyede.
Pan-African media organisation, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa is celebrating its tenth anniversary by making its biggest ever investment in content for African audiences. The organisation is set to launch a thrilling new programming line-up for BET (Dstv channel 129) over the next few months.
During a Media hangout with top media executives in Lagos last Tuesday, Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa declared, “we are delighted to add this rich mix of contemporary and classic reality shows, drama, family friendly sitcoms, entertainment news, comedy and more to the BET schedule, providing a daily celebration of African and African-American culture that is as uplifting as it is entertaining.”
The network is also poised to grow investment in local productions aimed at entertaining viewers from 4 to 40+ across its growing suite of entertainment channels, including Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., NickToons, MTV, MTV Base and BET (DStv channel 135).
[ad id=”1169″]Commenting more on this unfolding development, Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, VIMN Africa, said: “We are excited about our 2015/16 slate of high quality content that will engage our African viewers across multiple genres including stand-up comedy, music specials, entertainment news, chart shows and awards properties.”
Other exciting plans in the pipeline for 2015/16 include the creation of brand new themed events for VIMN Africa’s comedy, kids and general entertainment channels, including an international comedy festival (Comedy Central), and a Nigerian version of family friendly festival NickFest (Nickelodeon).
Similarly, the network is bringing “BET Experience” to the continent. R&B superstar Maxwell is expected to head to South Africa this summer to lead the BET Experience Africa, a spectacular global celebration of urban culture, music and lifestyle, from entertainment channel BET (DStv channel 129).
The event which holds on December 12, BET Experience Africa provides the perfect kick off to the summer season, taking over the Ticketpro Dome for a non-stop, jam-packed entertainment fest, bringing together lovers of urban culture and music. Wowing visitors all day long, the BET Experience Africa will showcase great food, fashion, music, comedy, dance, sport and much, much more.
Inspiring, immersive and hugely entertaining, BET Experience Africa will feature stunning live performance on a central Sound Stage, while stand-up routines from comedy stars will keep the audience laughing. Reserve your court-side seat for the fun-packed Celebrity Basketball Game and you could be watching top celebrities battle each other for sporting supremacy!
Speaking on franchise in Africa, Okosi stated that “VIMN Africa and BET are proud to introduce this incredibly successful BET franchise to the African audience for the first time, celebrating so many rich and varied faces of the urban lifestyle experience under one roof.”
The day will be rounded off with the BET Experience Concert, with superstar artists headlined by GRAMMY Award winning R&B musician Maxwell, alongside other international and African performers. Further talent taking part in BET Experience Africa will be announced at a later date.
Launched on DStv in April, 2015, BET is a 24-hour TV channel and multimedia entertainment brand designed to reflect, respect, and elevate the rich variety and positive values of African and African-American culture.
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